Blow Your Own Horn: Learn To Play The Harmonica

By:Dylan Mccabe

The harmonica is a unique instrument that allows each person to have a unique style when playing it. Because of this, the best way to learn to play the harmonica is by self-experimentation. Just pick up an harmonica and explore its possibilities. You can also find programs that can give you music, techniques, and other varied instructions to help you learn to play the harmonica.

With these and a teacher, you may find several benefits, but since the harmonica is a fairly easy instrument to learn, experimentation may give you a better feel for what you want to do than formal training. Many times the formal lessons will try to pigeon hole you into a certain style that you may not be comfortable with.

The harmonica is different than most instruments in that its lay out is more intuitive than most making it easier to learn by yourself. With the introductory packet that comes with most harmonicas, you can quickly and easily come to understand its layout. Conveniently, the chords are already arranged on the richter, a ten hold diatonic harp, so that you can play almost any tune from the first time you pick it up. Without having to combine notes into chords like a guitar or piano, you can quickly learn to play the harmonica.

After you have learned the basics of the harmonica, you then might want to find a teacher or you may want to mimic music that you hear. Usually, listening to other harmonica music, you will start coming up with your own ideas. With this type of learning, you will be able to creatively express yourself through playing your harmonica instead of just repeating music on a sheet. If you do choose a teacher, search for one who works in the style that you find most appealing. Learning in one style will not necessarily help you in another. Whether you want Chicago blues, bluegrass, or country, you will enjoy learning to play the harmonica.

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Article keywords: music, harmonica

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