Your First Lesson

Getting Started with the Harmonica

Start out learning harmonica by playing exercises, scales, and songs.

Get a head start on your first lesson, and learn to play the C major scale.

Here are the notes of the C major scale:
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do)

Hold your harmonica with the numbers on the cover plate facing up (1-10, left to right).
(Refer to the bottom of my Private Lessons page for harmonica recommendations.)

  1. Blow on hole # 4 (C note)
  2. Draw (suck in) hole # 4 (D note)
  3. Blow on hole # 5 (E note)
  4. Draw on hole # 5 (F note)
  5. Blow on hole # 6 (G note)
  6. Draw on hole # 6 (A note)
  7. Draw on hole # 7 (B note)
  8. Blow on hole # 7 (C note)

Pucker your lips so that you blow or draw on one square (reed chamber) at a time. At first your notes might not sound right. You might be playing other notes also. Adjust your lips to make the opening smaller.

Learn to play Happy Birthday

6 blow, 6 blow, 6 draw, 6 blow, 7 blow, 7 (long) draw

6 blow, 6 blow, 6 draw, 6 blow, 8 draw, 7 (long) blow

6 blow, 6 blow, 9 blow, 8 blow, 7 blow, 7 blow, 7 draw, 6 draw (long)

9 draw, 9 draw, 8, blow, 7 blow, 8 draw, 7 blow

CD Recommendations

Listening to music is very important in the learning process. These CDs were very influential to me.

Artist Album Title Label
Big Walter Horton With Carey Bell Alligator
Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells Acoustic + Alone Alligator
Gary Smith Blues for Mr. B Mountain Top
Little Hatch Goin' Back APO
Little Walter The Essential Chess
Sonny Terry Folkway Years S. Folkways
William Clarke Serious Intentions Alligator
Blues Traveler Save his Soul A+M
Bruce Springsteen Nebraska Columbia