The songs and instruction on this website are samples and exerpts from HarmonicaLessons.com. This "How to Play Harmonica" section is a collection of 6 sub-sections with plenty of free harmonica instruction, songs, and playing tips. Scroll down to view the sub-sections.
Dave explains the value of not just learning a scale up and down, but dividing it into smaller "bite-size" chunks, which can then be used as blues riffs.
Here are Dave Gage's sons, Brody and Alex, now called the Brothers Gage, back when they were 10 and 12 year old kids. This video shot in 2015, is an unedited take playing an improvised blues and country based jam and having a bunch of fun.
One plays rhythm beatbox harmonica while the other takes a solo. They are both playing a standard key of "C" 10-hole diatonic in 2nd Position (which is also known as "Crossharp"). They both learned to play harmonica around age 5 and now also sing, play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. The key to getting good is consistency. They still practice every single day.
Harmonica Playing Overview- Here are some basic facts and information on how to play the harmonica. Topics you will find on this page include: Diatonic vs. Chromatic Harmonica, Which Harmonica To Get, 1st Position (Straight Harp), 2nd Position (Cross Harp), and a Summary of 1st and 2nd Position.
Free Harmonica Songs, Tabs, and Notes- Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced level songs and harmonica notes to get you going. The beginning songs and tab are all played in the 1st Position while the intermediate and advanced level songs are played in the 2nd Position. Links are included to additional songs and numerous tabs of melodies, riffs, and solo parts.
Free Harmonica Playing Tips- Here is a collection of instructional one liners. They include rules of thumb, playing tips, and common sense rules of physics and nature that apply to harmonica playing (and many other activities for that matter). The rotating "Tip of the Day" is taken from this collection of tips.
Blues Harmonica Improv- Three different approaches to improvising the blues: Basic Techniques Improv, Basic Blues Riffs,, and Target Notes Over 12-Bar Blues,. There is also a 12-bar blues MIDI file in the key of "G", that you can download to play and practice to.
More Harmonica Instruction - Links for off-site harmonica instruction. Learn Single Notes, Bending, Hand Effects, and Advanced Techniques -- Jam to the Blues -- Chromatic Harmonica Section, Theory, Scales, Harmonica Repair Info, Play Guitar with Harmonica, Games, CDs "keyed", Jam-to MIDI files, and more.
Harmonica Players List - A short list of harmonica players and some of their recommended CDs to listen to. I realize this list is very incomplete, but these are some good ones to get you started.
