5 Things You Can Do Today To Play Better Harmonica

Рет қаралды 208,096

Күн бұрын

5 things you can do today to play better harmonica. Yes it's in the hands among other things! Working on the little things can make huge differences in your sound!
I'm available for harmonica lessons over Skype. Simply send me an email to: joeplaysharmonica@gmail.com and we can get it scheduled! Lessons are important especially if you are just starting out so you don't learn habits that will make it harder to play down the road. I can help you with bending notes, playing single notes, playing in different positions, music theory, blues licks, songs you are trying to learn and much more! Some people only take a lesson or two when they feel the need and others prefer an on going schedule. Let me know your needs and we can come up with a schedule that works for you!
I played a Hohner Crossover harmonica in the key of C for this video. It's a great harp right out of the box and they seem to last forever! Here's where you can get one:
Hohner Crossover C: amzn.to/2GIxuNi
Hohner Marine Band C: amzn.to/2NTEewA
I also really like Hohner Special 20s harmonicas. I played them for many years and still frequently play them. The Hohner Special 20 is probably the most popular harp among blues players going by my unofficial poll and also a good value.
Here's my KZfaq video where I talk about the Special 20 harmonica: • Is The Hohner Special ...
Hohner Special 20 C: amzn.to/2BODPr0
Lee Oskar C: amzn.to/31dbxQ0
Seydel 1847 C: amzn.to/2lh9jAe
Seydel Session Steel C: amzn.to/2llE6Mt
Here's my guitar channel on KZfaq: Joe Stoe Guitar / @joestoeguitar0633
I'm a member of a couple of interactive music instruction websites where the instructors (many famous musicians) actually give you personal instruction! One of the best websites for this is Artist Works. Click the link and then navigate to Howard Levy's harmonica instruction: goo.gl/i7XyYS. You won't be disappointed!
My Published books:
Christmas For Harmonica amzn.to/2HOpJH0
Teach Yourself To Play Dobro amzn.to/2GK8sNC
Teach Yourself To Play Pedal Steel Guitar amzn.to/2GKGu4j
Website: harmonicajoe.com
Some of the links in the description are affiliate links and by clicking and purchasing through them I will receive a small commission that helps me to offset a small portion of the expenses associated with running my websites and creating videos.
Thank you for clicking!
About this video: In this video HarmonicaJoe.com shows 5 things you can do right now to improve your harmonica playing and get a better sound.

Пікірлер: 126

@boldcautionproductions9203 4 жыл бұрын

Cool, thanks. Rushing is the bane of all beginners on all instruments - make each note a good one, otherwise, it is just noise. 1:20 Correct Cupping 4:20 Don't Purse Too Tightly 5:35 There's a Goldilock Zone for amount of air - not too light, not too much 6:35 Take your time, You can't cheat the Harmonica, Every note counts, make it good. 9:10 Use a Metronome, not a Metra Gnome

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

BoldCautionProductions Thanks!

@connorgames6668 3 жыл бұрын

The real MVP

@youtubeaccount1470 10 ай бұрын

Very useful tip on the rear hand position. Thanks.

@newdays007 Жыл бұрын

Nice 1 Thank you... I'm off to a good start... and have plenty to practice...

@dovlandzbaum5036 5 жыл бұрын

Nice, Joe! I've been playing for over 10 years, but it's always good to get back to the fundamentals. Thanks!

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Dov Landzbaum Thanks, glad you liked it!

@ted6176 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Joe. For the first time in years I'm able to do a wawa. That technique with cupping your hands did the trick. Again(a million) thanks. From now on, I watch your videos first if not exclusively. Hope I don't wear them out and deprive the rest of the world of your teaching talent. Later.

@danielmurphy9705 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I can hear improvements in my approaches to playing right away.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Daniel Murphy That’s great! Glad you liked the video. Check out my others and I’ll have more coming very soon. thanks!

@nerenahd 4 жыл бұрын

These are awesome tips. Apart from those, "learn something new" is the most powerful advice I´ve had. Cheers from Brazil.

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Nerenahd Dhaneren Thanks! Glad you liked it!

@HardTimesStudios 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this man this video really helped a lot and you broke stuff down better than most videos I've seen. They kinda just say something and don't go very in depth. In the past hour I've even become much better. Thanks again.

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Donald Tyrrell Glad you liked it, thanks!

@PaulyC8879 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, thank you!

@HarmonicaJoecom 6 жыл бұрын

PaulyC8879 glad you liked it, thanks!

@tamimtaj5006 5 жыл бұрын

This was by far the best tutorial for harmonica that I found on KZfaq

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Tamim Taj Thank you, Glad you liked it! Pass the word!

@sthitapragnyadeshpande3321 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot! This was so useful!

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Sthitapragnya Deshpande Glad you liked it, thanks!

@stephenrodrigues2058 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Joe , very useful information, God bless you! Love from India

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

@carolsyman5868 4 жыл бұрын

Perfect practice makes perfect. Tip #5 helps with perfect practice. Thanks for your tips.

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Carol Syman glad you liked it, thanks!

@richarddeleon3558 5 жыл бұрын

I liked the intro,terse and to the point, also you are very instructive 🏴 thanks.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

richard de leon Thanks! Glad you liked it!

@fernandol1307 4 жыл бұрын

THANKS.....

@rollowest3612 3 жыл бұрын

Hi joe thank you for the great tips.

@HarmonicaJoecom 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it, thanks!

@lucindacindymartin6012 4 жыл бұрын

excellent thanks. As a true beginner so nice to see how to create good habits from the beginning.

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Lucinda Cindy Martin Thanks, glad you liked it!

@Harmonicatony60 Жыл бұрын

Lucinda Cindy Martin; Are you still playing?

@a.s.v4261 5 жыл бұрын

Nice advices! , saludos desde Madrid.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you liked it!

@ZenCardiff 6 жыл бұрын

Useful tips, thanks. Also great trick with the wristwatch!

@HarmonicaJoecom 6 жыл бұрын

Brian Pearce thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video!

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

I remember one of my music instructors in college showed me the wristwatch trick. I find it easier with an old time watch that has an actual second hand. It’s a little tougher with a digital watch.

@michaeldavis8452 4 жыл бұрын

Maaaan so many little tips that I only realize now I did when I first started to play, I’ve put it down and picked it up off and on over the years but I’m going at it again with different mind set and more determination, like I’m in prison and have nothing else to do or that Linley cowboy on the prairie at night

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Great! Remember to go slow and have fun!

@noxkoimax356 6 жыл бұрын

really appreciated the tips, I recently purchased a harmonica in order to deal with some of my mental problems and I'm looking forward to improve my skills

@HarmonicaJoecom 6 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video. I'm sure you'll enjoy playing the harmonica!

@richarddeleon3558 5 жыл бұрын

Music will help,it works for me, mental, emotional, depression,I picked up the classical guitar,uke,, mandolin, and now I went back to the harmonica, both diatonic and chromatic, I'm thinking of go back to the violin also.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

I agree music is a fantastic healer

@deni-gibbs 4 жыл бұрын

@@richarddeleon3558 WOW!! I have mental issues too. I'm learning harmonica, ukulele, & the recorder. It really helps. Unless I get down on myself because I'm not playing the way I feel like I could be.

@richarddeleon3558 4 жыл бұрын

@@deni-gibbs keep it up Denice,I'm pretty sure you do sound better than you think 🤗.

@mussharif5558 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks you made my day ❤️

@HarmonicaJoecom 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@yungsloth420 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you John c reilly

@tvdigi 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sr.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

tvdigi You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

@guybaldridge2475 5 жыл бұрын

I play by ear 👂 I’ve played for years when I was aboard the ship I was on 68/70 I’ve used a crushed pink pong ball for good separation I crushed it to keep it from moving around if you like to play poka use your 👅 tongue up and down off your cords try it it sounds like a circus too

@guybaldridge2475 5 жыл бұрын

Try it

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Tongue blocking chords at times certainly can sound like a circus!

@ksfwfc2899 4 жыл бұрын

What is that annoying beep machine! Surely people do that in their heads

@W4rH3aR7 6 жыл бұрын

Good tips for beginners

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

GiaLVo Thanks, glad you liked my video. Drop me an email sometime (it’s up in the description box) and let me know what you want to work on. I’ll try and get a video out for it.

@jerryvan6153 7 жыл бұрын

Tip 1 I would call wah-wah which happens after the harp. Vibrato is all before the harp Otherwise awesome tips thank you

@HarmonicaJoecom 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jerry Van. Yes I said vibrato but meant to say wah wah!

@marshallprince8288 4 жыл бұрын

Corona virus has changed the world. My diversion was to try a harmonica. Not being a musical person, I admit it is very challenging. Thanks for your great lesson!

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Marshall Prince Well then something good came out of all of this! Keep on playing and I’ll be posting more beginner videos soon! Thanks!

@jamiefurguson6090 6 жыл бұрын

Great

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

shayzad Ali Thanks! Glad you liked it!

@tnysteph 6 жыл бұрын

Very good info. My question Are you using the Pucker style or Tongue Blocking?

@HarmonicaJoecom 6 жыл бұрын

Tony Stephens Thanks for the question Tony! Generally I play using the pucker otherwise known as lip pursing. However I do frequently use tongue blocking. I think you'll find that most harmonica players use a combination of the two.

@rickilynnwolfe8357 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Joe I'am new at playing the harmonica trying to learn it these are some great tips thanks so much expleshy liked the metronome for practicing. Are there aby tips for a better air blow . I don't know how to say what I mean but other then I'am a smoker and feel as if I'am not getting a good long enough air blow .There are alot of great harmonica players that smoked and still played freak in awesome expleshy blues players. Don't mean to sound stupid but besides to stop smoking is there anything else to help ?..tks

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Ricki Wolfe Thanks for the great question! It’s a subject that I haven’t thought much about. From my days playing brass instruments(which I still do) one of the best things to do is to play long tones. On the harmonica you could pick a hole and either draw or blow note. Play the note for a long time and try to keep an even sound and really listen to the tone. Experiment and see if you can change the tone of your sound. Do this on all the holes of the harp draw and blow. You can even use more than one hole such as the chords on the lower part of the harmonica. I like to play 4 semi long notes in a row and one very long note. Try counting 1,2,3,4 very slowly as you do it so you have a sense of rhythm. Also check around youtube for breathing or pulmonary exercises as there are tons of videos. Here’s one I found and like kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nJNhntiSzciwnGg.html I hope that helps! Drop me a message sometime and let me know how it’s going.

@fernandol1307 4 жыл бұрын

I saw a guy in Lima peru..by the name.of JAIRO ZULETA ....he made.the german harmonicas. Doinds lijr a wawa pedal or a saxophone. In B flat or c Sharp..

@cesarecristian5693 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Joe! Thanks for your lessons! You're helping so much! One question, I'm trying to get started to overblow, and still, after some time, I just can't get the technique. Surely I do something wrong but I'm even wondering if I'm using the right harp: MarineBand in the key of C. Should I prefer some lower tuning or am I forced to customize the gap of the reeds? Thank you so much!!!

@HarmonicaJoecom 2 жыл бұрын

Playing Overblows is a much longer subject than I can put in a comment. There can be a number of things going on. As to your question specifically a lower key harp Might be a little easier. I would start with hole 6 overblow as that one seems to be the easiest to get. A Marine band is fine but the reeds should be a little closer to the reed plate. I have several marine Band harmonicas that overblow right out of the box. It takes a lot of trial and error to get your first overblows. It’s probably not the reeds unless they are seriously out of adjustment most likely it is a technique issue. Keep on trying and eventually you’ll get it!

@diveactive 5 жыл бұрын

I tried this But is still sound like a mouth organ, I have 2 harmonicas in C. Tried lip changes over the instrument and cupping as you say.

@fljetgator1833 5 жыл бұрын

One thing that's VERY important is to attempt (and PRACTICE) bending notes. I've noticed when u play 2nd position CORRECTLY u have to 'bend' .. On 2, 3 & higher. These tones are hard to reach.. Yet help take it to the next level. P.S: I'm stilllll practicing 😎🚬

@guybaldridge2475 5 жыл бұрын

Nice example

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Guy Baldridge Thanks!

@leobrocato3230 3 жыл бұрын

@HarmonicaJoe.com can u make a video on how to read sheet music for diatonic harmonica . not the tabs

@HarmonicaJoecom 3 жыл бұрын

That is a great idea! I will put that on my to do list, thanks!

@deni-gibbs 4 жыл бұрын

I have a question: I have a Horner special 20 in C. My second one. The lower notes below hole 4..i cannot get good sounds out of it. Any suggestions please?

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Denise Gibbons Thanks for the question. I guessing you are having problems on the draw notes? The draw notes on the lower 3 holes sometimes take a little more air to get them to sound clear when you are starting out. Try dropping your jaw just a little and use a “ta” syllable. That will help your mouth cavity and throat to be a little more open. If you want some personalized help, I teach lessons over Skype. You can contact me at my email. Joe@harmonicajoe.com. Thanks!

@andrewcrooks373 4 жыл бұрын

Try using a Lee Oskar by Tombo , to me they always work straight out of the box and they last longer. I started on Hohner but found them unreliable,although the Hohner Special 20 seemed more reliable a Hohner Blues Harp soaked in water (or sourmash whiskey) sounded best. Don’t forget to trim the swollen wood back with a razor blade or your lips will end up bleeding.🤪🤩👯‍♂️

@MandeepHarmonicaMusic 5 жыл бұрын

Very impressive and innovative

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Mandeep Harmonica Music Thank you! I like your playing as well!

@MandeepHarmonicaMusic 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏, l learnt some techniques from your videos

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Mandeep Harmonica Music Thank you for the kind words. I’m afraid I don’t play much chromatic at the moment . I’ll be listening to more of your videos.

@sudipbose4940 5 жыл бұрын

Hi this is Sudip Bose Kolkata India could you tell me what make and scale harmonica you are playing in this tutorial. Thanks.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Sudip Bose Hi and thanks for the question! I’m playing a Hohner Crossover in the key of C.

@SingingVET 5 жыл бұрын

What brand do you recommend for a starter like me? My thanks in advance...

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Check out my video where I show some good harmonicas for beginners kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZqydYM-prtmWYJ8.html. Thanks for watching!

@shirleyhernandez6150 5 жыл бұрын

I gat harmonica and i am learning to play it

@jimchumley6568 5 жыл бұрын

Shirley Hernandez I have a gat harmonica but i dont play it, I shoot it.

@tonyledrew3989 4 жыл бұрын

Great useful tips thanks

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Tony LeDrew Glad you liked the video, Thanks!

@lindseyvillamor4924 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite harmonica player is Adam gussow

@HarmonicaJoecom 2 жыл бұрын

He is one of my favorites also!

@sexypoetry 5 жыл бұрын

swan 1664 has plastic comb...does it mean that i can rinse it in the water? i am doing this with diatonic harmonica's that have plastic comb (hohner special 20 and tombo's lee oskar) but when i did it with tombo s-50 (slideless chromatic) it went completely out of tune and some of the holes stopped working on a draw, no sound at all...does it mean that chromatic harmonicas for some uncanny reason can't be rinsed in the water even if they have a plastic comb? yesterday evening i've rinsed swan 1664 in the water and for some minutes it sounded like horror movie, pretty much the same as this tombo s-50 that was completely destroyed by one and only one water rinse...however, by the morning the swan 1664 recovered...does it mean that i can continue rinsing swan 1664 in the water on a regular basis? is there anything that i could do to recover this slideless tombo s-50 chromatic harmonica that became useless trash after just one rinse in the water...i've no idea how could one rinse completely destroy the harmonica that has plastic comb...

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

sexypoetry I’m not familiar with Swan harmonicas. I would not rinse any chromatic harmonica in water without first disassembling it and even then being extra careful with the windsaver valves. It is possible you could have moved one or more windsaver valves out of alignment.

@sexypoetry 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the reply, I shall do as you have kindly advised.

@g1d2e3100440 3 жыл бұрын

HarmonicaJo

@TriggerWarner 4 жыл бұрын

I want you to make a video playing Train Train by blackfoot

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Bryant Ramsey Good one!

@TriggerWarner 4 жыл бұрын

@@HarmonicaJoecom please

@barun487 4 жыл бұрын

Love story 1970 theme song lesson plz Sir

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Barun Sarkar Good idea, I haven’t played that on harmonica, I’ll see how it lays on the harp.

@barun487 4 жыл бұрын

@@HarmonicaJoecom then please help me Sir

@guybaldridge2475 5 жыл бұрын

Don’t blow to hard practice playing softly

@lesartistes6591 6 жыл бұрын

07:29

@noxkoimax356 6 жыл бұрын

every hole's a goal

@BanditmitKredit 4 жыл бұрын

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

@HarmonicaJoecom 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you liked it

@CharlieBrown-nm3mn Жыл бұрын

Sonny Terry

@HarmonicaJoecom Жыл бұрын

I love Sonny Terry’s playing!

@guybaldridge2475 5 жыл бұрын

Can you bend your notes ?🤔

@AnthonyMonaghan 5 жыл бұрын

Also helps when you are playing a $200 harp I guess...still, some good tips.

@eraldylli 5 жыл бұрын

That's true, getting an expensive properly set up harmonica will help you a lot, but these tips are solid, although very basic. Good video overall, though.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Anthony, I don’t own any expensive harmonicas yet. I mostly play on Hohner Marine Bands and Special 20s. I do have a couple of Seydels that I love but they are a little hard on my wallet at this point.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Erald Ylli Thanks for your answer! Yes I would love a custom harmonica or 2 but I use Hohner Marine Bands, Crossovers and Special 20s for the most part and make small adjustments to them myself.

@AnthonyMonaghan 5 жыл бұрын

@@HarmonicaJoecom I wasn't being a wise ass, it's just I noticed you are playing a Marine Band Crossover? I think, and they are out of my price league. I play a Special 20 and a Big River. Both nice harps. I tried a Lee Oskar in the key of D and didn't like it at all, though I had read a lot of good things about them. Very bright. I'd really like to try a Marine Band crossover when I gain a bit more playing technique. Seems to be the standard decent harp. Thanks for all the great tips.

@HarmonicaJoecom 5 жыл бұрын

Anthony Monaghan didn’t think that at all. Yes, I play a Marine Band Crossover a lot. They are a bright sound, more than the regular marine band or Special 20. They really are a very good harmonica. The price is comparable to a Seydel at around $70 or so depending where you get it. They play very well right out of the box. Thanks for your reply!