Why you don't need to read music to play harmonica

[@Learntheharmonica]

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[@Learntheharmonica]

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[@astone612]

I still recommend learning the basics so you can translate your favorite songs into tabs, kinda opens up the world

[@unclerat2131]

If you blow a harp, you have to better understand music than anyone in a group because nobody respects a harmonica player. You have to play by ear, by sight-reading, and know the other instruments to cover for any of them with as much ease as you can muster. If you want to sit around blowing shit, fine, but if you want to play with other musicians and singers, if you don't read music, you will never get anywhere other than playing with a pickup group. You make reading music part of your practice routine, and you can learn it in a few months and become proficient in less than a year. It is like learning a language; without reading, you're illiterate.

[@alfredlopez8472]

Clean & concise. Thanks 👍

[@bennelson1788]

Hi wanted to say big fan of your videos and started learning the harmonica because of your tutorials I was wondering could you do a tutorial for lonesome campfires much appreciated

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks Ben, I'll check it out! Cheers. Liam

[@oscarkoenders3107]

I think there are 3 limitations to Harmonica Tabs. Tabs do not show the rhythm. You can play a tab correctly but playing the song completely wrong. The availability of sheetmusic is almost unlimited. Tabs are not. And you can't give tabs to players of other instruments. That's why I created my app which shows both sheetmusic and tabs (for harp, guitar and many other instruments). Soon you don't need the app anymore. If you're interested I can send you the app. The app is free for anyone who wants to use it.

[@ProfaneTapir]

Hey, could you send me this app?

[@slq3263]

Thank you

[@HarPlayer]

"Because you can " learn everything you can. I remember reading players n Orchestras they know all the notes backwards n forwards. David Barrett knows alot of harp's

[@trappstein]

good perspective

[@PupeDupe]

1. I did not found any lesson where is explained how to play on harmonica from notes. Everybody explain only what notes mean and what harmonica can play, but never together with some good examples. Don’t you have this kind of lesson?:) 2. What is the song what you play in 0:46??? It’s stuck in my head but I am not able to identify it:)

[@ProfaneTapir]

The saints come marching in

[@evandavies4049]

Great lessson liam

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks Evan!

[@hotyogapoa7606]

Hello. Thanks so much for sharing. Would you share your take on truganini from midnight? 🙏

[@Learntheharmonica]

I'll check it out!

[@hotyogapoa7606]

LearnTheHarmonica.com 🙏

[@lenaking8056]

very informative

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad it was helpful, Lena! Cheers. Liam

[@billychan4633]

[@tommo5050]

Thanks for the great video. I have a question regarding learning a song while reading the tab or blow/draw notes on a sheet of paper. Once I can play the song while reading it off the paper do I then play it from memory of the sound of the notes or by visualizing the numbers on the page? I know this sound odd but I'd like to know your thoughts, if it makes sense. Thanks, Tom

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Tom, thanks for watching and commenting. I think it's always useful to experience music direct through the sound, as much as possible. So use the tab to help you learn it, then let yourself forget the symbols and learn to play the music by ear. All musical symbols (tab or sheet music etc) are just a tool for understanding. I hope this helps! Cheers. Liam

[@tommo5050]

@@Learntheharmonica Thank you so much for getting back to me Liam. Yes that helps a lot. I know it was an odd question but I never learned how to play music and always wanted to. I'm now 67 and I thought learning the harmonica would be fun and easier than it actually is. However, your videos help a great deal and I've been following you for awhile. Keep up the great work and thanks again. Tom

[@LCKRD-un1rx]

Short answer. No.