| Harmonicas are wonderful musical instruments. | | | | music. |
| They're versatile, they're relatively inexpensive, they | | | | Harmonica Instruction |
| fit in your pocket, and their music can evoke a wide | | | | When you learn to play the harmonica, you'll first be |
| range of feelings. Harmonicas - or harps, as they are | | | | taught how to breathe correctly. Because |
| commonly called - are used in a wide variety of | | | | successfully playing the harmonica involves both |
| musical genres, such as bluegrass, the blues, folk, | | | | breathing out and breathing in, it's important to |
| rock, country, Gospel, jazz, and even Classical music. | | | | breathe from your diaphragm. You'll also learn how to |
| If you want to learn to play the harp and are | | | | correctly hold the harmonica, how to move it, and |
| planning to take instruction, you should understand | | | | how to position your lips so you'll achieve the right |
| the different types of harmonicas that are available. | | | | notes. You'll also learn harmonica tablature, or tabs, |
| The leading makers of harmonicas include Suzuki, | | | | which in instruction that replaces the need for learning |
| Hering, Hohner, and Bushman. Beyond brands, though, | | | | to read music. Harmonica tabs tell you what actions |
| there are other differences you should know about. | | | | you need to take, such as blowing in the fifth and |
| The harmonica that most people are familiar with is | | | | sixth holes, rather than simply showing you music |
| the ten-hole "Blues harp." Each of the holes has two | | | | notation. For example, tablature might indicate an |
| reeds, which are tuned to play different notes. Blues | | | | upward arrow with a number above it, indicating that |
| harps come in virtually every key, and each | | | | you need to blow on that numbered hole, followed |
| harmonica can play 19 musical notes. | | | | by a downward area with a number on top, indicating |
| Blues harps are a subcategory of diatonic harmonicas, | | | | that you need to inhale on that hole. Tabs make |
| so named because of the two reeds in each hole. | | | | learning to play the harmonica much easier than |
| Diatonic harmonics generally play only one key. | | | | learning to play other instruments. |
| Another type of diatonic harmonica is the octave | | | | Choosing a Harp |
| harmonica, which is tuned so that each hole plays the | | | | Most harmonica instruction is given in the key of C, |
| same note, only an octave apart from one another. | | | | so it's probably best to buy a diatonic or Blues harp in |
| The tremolo harmonica also has two reeds, but one | | | | the key of C. Most experts recommend that |
| plays a slightly flat note and the other plays a slightly | | | | beginners purchase harmonicas with plastic or |
| sharp note. | | | | aluminum combs (the body of the harmonica) rather |
| A different category of harmonica is the chromatic | | | | than wood. Plastic and metal are both more |
| harmonica. These harmonicas typically have twelve, | | | | comfortable and more durable. However, you should |
| fourteen, or sixteen holes, and four reeds per hole. | | | | be aware that, over time, you'll probably buy and try |
| They also have a sliding bar that moves the air from | | | | several different brands of harmonicas. Each person |
| the mouthpiece to a specific reed plate. Chromatic | | | | is unique, and each has to find the harmonica that is |
| harmonicas are most often used in jazz and Classical | | | | the best fit for his or her playing style. |