Top 5 Myths About Playing Harmonica

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This week's harmonica lesson will show you the ‘Top 5 Myths About Playing Harmonica’. When people start to learn harmonica they are not sure where they should get their information from. I hear a ton of stuff from harmonica students that are just plain wrong. So, I thought I would tell you why they are wrong…
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[@TomlinHarmonica]

🎵 Just starting out on harmonica? Join my FREE Blues Harmonica Foundation Course here 👉 foxly.link/p5ugYk

[@rocketsroc]

Someone once said you can play a harmonic in five minutes, but you'll be learning it the rest of your life. I'm 74 and still learning.

[@01Bonnie03]

Continue to learn like this :-)

[@RnRDaveC]

I agree. I started at age 73 and it is a long haul but hugely enjoyable - like learing any musical instrument. You do start to learn the basics (I play blues) quite quickly and once you start bending notes it's great!

[@RnRDaveC]

As an oldie of 74, I started at 72, this is a great instrument to learn. I play blues. Stick it in your top pocket and doodle, it starts to make sense. This is a great place to start learning. Thanks Tomlin.

[@tnysteph]

I started at age 52. It has been a blast playing. I am now 62 and still loving the harmonica. In 2012 I went to my first open mic. 2016 joined a band. The band ended in 2019, I am looking to put a new band together. I never dreamed any of this could happen until I picked up a harmonica.Thank you Tomlin for your videos.

[@user-ct4qx6go4m]

20th like, I hope you get better and better each day good sir!

[@vinces.2862]

"If you start later in life .... blah blah blah" I started at 67. My one year harp anniversary is March, (this month). I'll be 68 in May and out there at jam sessions every week if possible. I have 2 really good amps and 2 great mics and neither of them make me sound good ... I MAKE ME SOUND GOOD! Hard work and practice is the answer. Nice change from the usual harp exercise videos and I love that you told it like it is. Keep On Harpin' Vince.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I love this "I make me sound good" so true!

[@lestrum]

Right on guy. I started playing Djembe drums and hand percussion at 64. And our band of 5 with the exception of 1 guy all began at similar age or older. We did an open Mic to high acclaim.

[@lestrum]

Adding to my last post.. Those who tell you it's too late.. Are usually miserable people who are too fearful to take up anything or follow a dream for fear of failure... Or are just in such bad physical or mental shape to get going.

[@vinces.2862]

@@lestrum It's NEVER too late to do anything in life.

[@lestrum]

More or less, but begrudgingly accept there are things I can't or won't do any longer. " a man has got to know his limitations". But those are things for the most part I don't want to do anyway and neither do most of my peers. But when it comes to playing music I agree with you.

[@jacknorton3771]

I am 57 and just started. I enrolled in the 4 week program. Already playing so much better. This guy knows what he is talking about.

[@crouch0746]

Excellent, as usual, Tomlin. I especially enjoyed the senior citizen encouragement, as an almost 4-year retiree, who got serious about the harmonic at age 70 and is having a blast and getting pretty decent at it, after two years of almost daily practice and playing.

[@lestrum]

This is just great. I started seriously playing music at 64. What better time than when one is retired or semi retired and has more free time as mentioned here. Stay in shape and you can do almost everything. My biggest impediment is trying to learn too many instruments at once and asshole miserable neighbors who complain about any little peep.

[@robertcutting4007]

I have had this question on my mind forever. When I was younger I played in a bar band and would use a harmonica on songs. I have listened to people like John Popper and others as well. I'm amazed at the flexibility they get out of the reeds of the instrument. How do you achieve that? That is something I've wanted to know for ever!

[@seyma6103]

I went through all of these myths and some musician friends really encouraged me. I used to think I wasn't able to play harmonica because I smoked and I reckoned it was impossible to be good enough at my age (30). Then one thay I bought special 20 and started learning how to play it with your videos. They were really helpful. I immediately felt that I was much more confident with it, much more aware of the music I listened. It has increased my love for blues music as well since I started learning it. and now I know that my awareness will carry me through all the hurdles although some tunes sound or seem too hard to play. Thank you Tomlin! You're the best!!!

[@ermanyerman7547]

Şeyma merhaba, Ben yeni başlıyorum. Hala devam ediyor musun? Tecrübelerini oaylasabilir misin? Nasıl eğitim aldın? Başka kimleri takip ettin vs?

[@1seesaw2]

I started playing harmonica when I was 10. I'm now 72 and still learning.

[@OldSkoolDirt]

Awesome shit !

[@danroux4010]

i started at 17 and at 61 i still enjoy playing. learning is a by- product of my playing. in other words i don't play to learn. i learn while i enjoy playing. the distinction is important. too many, and i don't mean you, are playing solely to learn to become "good". last point. don't imitate, be yourself even if others might not like your sound. i am my only critic.

[@1seesaw2]

@@danroux4010 Exactly! I feel the same as you!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to ‘Subscribe’ and turn on notifications to never miss another Harmonica video. :-)

[@coldmanblues1446]

Great list and Yes I played my Bluesband harmonica that came with my J.P. Allen DVD lessons for about 4 months and then when I got my Honer special 20 it took me a while to get used to it. At 1st I was chugging so loud I'm surprised I didn't break a reed. And yes about the age thing. I'm 37 I've only been playing for about 6 months but me and the harmonica really clicked and I've played alot of instruments in my life but even in just a few months I'm playing better on the harp than any other instrument I've ever played. Don't get me wrong it takes ALOT of practice and I know I've got a long way to go but I Love it 🙂👍 p.s. thanks for all the great lessons and advice 👍✌️🙂

[@luetchford07]

Thanks Tomlin, I started playing harp at 17 stopped at 27.started again at 60, now 73,your lessons over several years have helped me improve,but playing in bands again has been the biggest boost.Just had to leave my band MOJOS as I am now going to live in New Zealand but will continue to subscribe to your lessons and also your band Delacroix who are great.Hope to find a new band in Kia Ora,Thanks mate!

[@patnewman7381]

Comments about senior startup players are very appropriate. I have been playing around with your lessons and others for about 2 years now in my own living room on my Special 20 and having a lot of enjoyment. Look forward to your weekly lessons. Oh yeah, I'm 77 and fit your profile definition almost perfectly.

[@healingheartsulladulla563]

Thanks for that Tomlin I am 62 and love your lessons on youtube its a bit of meditation for me cheers

[@rumplefish63]

TOTALLY agree with #2. I was so frustrated with my first - a set of Bluesbands!

[@karlbeck9869]

Tomlin, everyone of you points here is, as usual, spot on. The best thing I heard in this video was after #4 (around the 7:00 mark), that you are not trying to be the best harp player (although you're pretty darn good!), & that you love teaching. The fact that you love teaching is evident in the videos you post, as well as your commitment of teaching. I know it takes some effort to continually make & post these videos. Thanks so much for everything you post on here! Most of all, thanks for helping others learn to play. To quote harp customizer Richard Sleigh - "Harpe Diem"!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks for your kind words Karl :-)

[@chrisjaybecker]

To the list of great, mindblowing modern-day harpists, I add Ronnie Shellist, Dennis Gruenling, Will Wilde, and Adam Gussow.

[@ludweeg_frfr]

And Tomlin Leckie

[@joecrumb1798]

I loved that video. I’m 68 and it has been a god send during this pandemic. I appreciate what you do. It also has been beneficial to improve my lung condition. Thanks so much Tomlin. 😁

[@inescrayen3928]

Corona lockdown brought me to the harmonica I once bought for my kids ... it brings me joy, distraction, alone time and challenge these strange days. Nice to have this little thing as a companion. Thanks a lot Tomlin for being a guide ...

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Glad that the harp is keeping you busy - we all need something to do in these trying times. Let me know if you need any help. :-)

[@crimson8606]

Can I ask you for help?

[@lewiswereb8994]

Watching you and your lesson I think your thoughts and explanations are a clone of my thoughts and opinions. I am 79 and I can still make folks cry with "Danny Boy" and a couple others. (If I had ever had a harmonica teacher I probably would have made HIM cry a couple times, only for a different reason). As for new "music" after the 70s there is little worth listening, except for stuff like Bobby McGee and other stuff like Willie's and Kristofferson's and the other Outlaws. The old standards like "Red River Valley", "Down in the Valley" and all the "cowboy" stuff is ageless, and ALWAYS sounds good,audiences still love it. Yours is a very excellent posting.

[@onusgumboot5565]

I've tried to play the harmonica. I suck except when I blow

[@prosper1.72]

Lol thats very pun-ny

[@dolphyneefeef230]

Tomlin, great lesson man!

[@twodogs91]

Great stuff, Tomlin. You're a great teacher!! Thanks so much. I hope someday to make it to a workshop.

[@mrvicazvrk]

Thank you Tomlin, you are a fantastic teacher! I really appreciate you being so thorough. It is a precious trait!

[@rogerking8959]

Thank you for this and your teaching.

[@WolfsBlues]

Cracking video Tomlin...busting a few myths!

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thanks Tomlin! Good video.

[@TheHarmonicaBarge]

Great video! Agree with all points!

[@normsky5504]

I never ever let anyone play my harps, for the same reason, that I don't let anyone use my toothbrush.

[@crimson8606]

Because other people can damage? I’d just go buy a new one.

[@thomas.thomas]

Just clean it afterwards with alcohol or something

[@adriancarmody-smith6473]

This is so brilliant, amazingly honest and wise advice to all of the students trying so hard to progress on the blues harmonica and coming to terms with reality , , aspirations versus disappointment. But, Tomlin has the answer. . practice, practice, practice I’m practicing my 3 hole bend for the 50th time. I’m going to nail it very soon!!

[@johndeggendorf7826]

....James Montgomery Blues Band 50 years going strong...electric and hard driving, James Cotton and Paul Butterfield were both friends and influences. James is 70 + years now and still rocking. I’ve sat directly in front of his amp more times than I can count. I’m thinking of suing him for my tinnitus.

[@billykohler9153]

Ty Tomlin.

[@sagehopkins1]

Grrrrreat lesson Tomlin! I love the comments on myth #2! :)

[@terrysilverback8604]

Thank you. For the life lesson. Sound advice😊

[@evandavies4049]

I'm 67 Tomlin in your school really enjoying my self that who's a great lesson especially the age and last mic and amp your great teacher whith loads of patients god willing il be whith you for years to come

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Aw thanks Ewan :-)

[@JakeSavich]

Really cool man

[@jameslewis9343]

That needed to be said!! Thanks for posting this! By the way.. I've been waiting for a Delacroix video, but haven't seen one for a couple of weeks!!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi James - we are taking a short break as we have an exciting new project in the pipeline :-)

[@davidbrock4104]

I just need to step up my dedication to the harp. Definitely wish I had started out playing good harps, I love the Special 20's

[@enjoyharmonica]

Love your wee riff and the start of this video, could you write the tabs please. Great video too, very good information. Oh! You are a great teacher, best on the internet in my opinion 👏✅

[@sanguesuorefoto]

Tks for the vídeo. Do you sugest some one from brazil?

[@dianedeleasa5809]

You are great!!

[@SXHQQSSS]

YOU ARE AN AMAZING HARMONICA PLAYER!!!

[@moyanofenogliomario7246]

holaaa saludos desde argentina!! me encantan tus videos y voy aprendiendo bastante con vos y gracias a las traducciones de youtube xD. Seria genial que los cursos que sacas los puedas subtitular por lo menos. saludos y gracias por tanto

[@wa1ufo]

You sound great on that harp!

[@bobrobison1577]

Perfect.

[@fredblues7175]

2 is so important. Sure, I have as many cheap Bluesband harps laying around as I do Special 20s, but I have 2 good reasons. 1. It is nice to have something to beat on when the urge hits and not have to carry your rig around all the time. 2. people (kids and adults) think they want to try on your harp. Instead of letting them play one of my Special 20s, I just give them a Bluesband and say 'keep it'.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Nice!

[@lindajones49]

Each player has their own style. Many songs can be sung through the harmonica. It about your feel for sound. Pick ups mic 🎤 & amps can use effects.

[@rheubengreen8612]

This is lit!! 🔥

[@gregglockhart9551]

Learning how to bend notes is really a key to let you in the door of blues playing.

[@hh-ck6ko]

#1 annoys me the most. Oh, that, and "it's just a toy". They have no idea.

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Self taught blues harmonica playerits very rewarding, i do claim to be 1/2good,the big thing is to enjoy it and grow....

[@rocksrust]

POINT 1 is True. It's difficult I've been playing for two weeks and still didn't do any good with it. But I'm not going to stop playing it!

[@capttom7772]

ALRIGHT !!! ❤️ JUST FOUND....(turns off amp.)... my new most favorite YT channel !!!..... Been playing since I was a kid, now 68 !!!😂 Riddle me this LECKIE;??? With my lungs well exercised, do you think I'll be SAFER from the CORONA Virus?.... I have a doctors appointment in two days and I'm gonna ask him....I'll keep ya posted !!!⛵️🎼🍀

[@ChuongNguyen-of4wn]

It’s a good lesson.

[@Tweed539]

Some of these myths I am guilty of believing, but the one that got me was number 5. I have my dream set up: a pignose amp and a mic I built myself. I'll probably use that set until I die and it only cost me a hundred bucks, haha.

[@maxlutz3674]

I think you are right with your points. Starting with a crappy instrument really can spoil the fun and make a person loose interest before they have the chance to learn it. I bought a Hohner Marine Band because that´s what Adam Gussow uses. It wont make me sound like him. At least I know it wont hold me back. If you kept learning, starting later in life is not a problem. Playing just for fun or around the campfire is still in reach. I think that many people just use age as a pretext to avoid starting something new and risking to fail. I took the risk to waste 30€ on an instrument I am too old to learn. Considering the fun I had, it is worth it.

[@kevingodding9316]

Great video, I would also say that the one about getting a cheap harmonica goes with any music instrument if you get a cheap guitar that the action is to high it is not going to help you 😊

[@TomlinHarmonica]

So true!

[@PLT123]

Lol im 31yo, and I drive a truck for a living, ive always wanted to learn so I figured no time like the present. Glad to know if you dont start at age 10, you can still get good :)

[@jakeblues5854]

Picked mine up started to try to play a tune sort of got there was recognisable then lost the plot nearly threw it away put it down ,,,,,,picked it up again and started all over again I,m getting better ,,,,,,,,,,,,,patience dear people is the key

[@warlock.420]

Tomlin Leckie, I was given a bluesband made by hohner in china, should I buy a better harmonica???

[@severinorafaelcavalcanteda8252]

Parabéns beautiful a todos os idealizadores vídeos de instrumentos da grande música.Nosso celebro agradece frequências positivas do alto ASTRAL 📯💥🐆🎺🎷🇧🇷

[@capttom7772]

severino rafael cavalcante da silva; Con permission Senior; esta Espania or Mexico ??? (I know my Spanish sucks....just thought I recognized "Castilian" dialect. ❤️

[@phillipanselmo8540]

@@capttom7772 that's portuguese, not spanish.

[@mjb9]

What was the 'cheap' harmonica you were playing (as in, what should I avoid?)

[@danroux4010]

the other issue with starting out with a crappy harmonica is that you're more likely to give up just because of deficient sound.

[@crimson8606]

I learned a lot on my first harmonica and it was pretty poopy but that didn’t stop me

[@jelmervanlenteren773]

❤

[@dolphyneefeef230]

Hi Tomlin, I have a question. There is a pentatonic scale, a blues scale, a mixolydian scale, a dorian scale which you can play on a C harmonica. Do you have a video lesson who treat these subjects, including the musical notes? . My wife plays clarinet and guitar. I thought she and me can practice together.

[@AlejandroNitsch]

Start with the pentatonic scale in second position blues scale is penta+flat third *(-/3)* and flat seventh *(-5)* on your Harp --> half step Down bend third hole draw) mixolydian is kind of the blues major scale with a tonal center in the fourth degree (+1 / +4) I don't know Dorian scale yet. major pentatonic (-2) (-//3) (-3) (-4) (+5) blues (-2) (-//3) *(-/3)* (-3) (-4) (+5) *(-5)*

[@nestoralvarez538]

I'm older now, but I used to get dizzy sometimes blowing in it, Is that a normal thing?

[@gwizzfpv6741]

hi just found you and subbedyou , would like your help in meany ways 1st of i can play the harmonica not well i want too lean the blues i have found one i like Seydel Favorite Harmonica i like the shape and the price is 50 pounds put have found some more in seydel range some of them say that thay have been tuned diffidently could you recommend me on for jazz blues i ould like too have lessons from you do you skype or were you from

[@jamesgarrettson6752]

!!!! Thanks

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Can i say this? FEEL IT!¡

[@cyclonudista]

I did the mistake of staring playing with a crap harmonica, I didn't realize that a good Honer harp costs only 30 euros

[@lestrum]

But at least you started....and didn't stop.

[@brendanewman549]

I,M GLAD TO HEAR THAT I,M 55 AN JUST STARTING OUT AN THAT WAS A HUGE CONCERN FOR ME IT ENCOURAGES ME MORE TO KNOW THAT,S NOT TRUE THANK YOU PEACE TO YOU.

[@normsky5504]

Buffalo Norton, Van Morrison, Dan Baker, to name a few greats.

[@brendanewman549]

ANOTHER THING I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS, IS IT EASIER FOR A YOUNGER PERSON WITH THE BREATHING ?

[@gavinmayhew394]

Ian collard

[@eliasthd]

Don't you just love how when people are counting down the most iconic instrument players they are all male?

[@BRIANFORWARD1]

The 6th myth I've NEVER cought pubic hair in it whilst playing mustache yes

[@Claymor621]

Well not your own pubic hair. anyway.

[@AutisticDog]

Tomlin more like harmonica guy

[@privatelyplaylisted]

Can we get a video about technique with a mic please? I definitely found out it makes you bad louder the hard way haha!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Yes here you go - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXXImIiVpc2Kpqs

[@robertaulbur2869]

Really good clarification - yes you are never to old 👴🏻

[@websurfer8670]

0:37 i told my girlfriend the same thing 😏

[@harmoniclivechromatic7698]

myth no.6 thinking that someone wants to play with you

[@manrisakirisame3505]

On the whole, "I'm too old" argument. A person's brain chemistry is set by the age of 25 and it becomes harder (but not impossible) to get your brain to the point where it easily picks up and learns new skills. If you start playing instruments later in life, you will likely never become a great, stand out musician. And quite frankly I don't give a damn. I started playing the Piano at 26, and now at 31 I am picking up the Harmonica. I'm not playing to be a superstar or some some Blues genius, I'm playing because I always wanted to but never had the time or resources for, and now I'm having fun with it.

[@michaelpond6386]

First myth, is you got to have dem blues teeth.

[@thomaswalz3515]

Good ones. I know so many mediocre players who don't sound good because of lousy technique... they buy amps and mic's to "get that sound," and like you said, sound like crap, only louder... One local guy has won "best harmonica" by the same organization for many years. He isn't a good player. But he is a great salesman, always gracious, outgoing, a smile and handshake, but his tone is horrible, and playing, not musical at all... it's just a bunch of noise... he always plays as fast as he can, all the time... Since harps have all the right notes for the key, he gets away with it... He is a great gig hustler too, so he gets lots of work, exposure to the tin horn public, dazzled by his stage gyrations, and outgoing personality. I know many who cringe... He is living proof that if you have a great backline, the frontline can get away with murder...

You can't make a KZbin video on anything to do with music unless you have a metronome on the shelf.

[@Borat_Kazakh]

Playing the harp is like struggling to get good at the banjo. If you dont want to sound like you are playing simple tunes to kindergarteners, you are basically going to be playing a series of licks strung together. Nobody has invented an alternate to the blues scale. Bluegrass banjo and blues harmonica get old really quickly.

[@AlejandroNitsch]

True. However, the possibilies of note combinations and rythm variations are near endless. And if you know how to overblow, you can play literally anything.

[@vladrich7929]

Ты мурку сыграй!