The songs and tabs here are samples from Harmonica Lessons.com and range in level from beginning to more advanced. This song tab below is designed for a standard 10-hole diatonic harmonica (click to buy one), sometimes referred to as blues harp or short harp.
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.
"Home on the Range" playing tips- Beginning-Int. Level:
If you have problems getting the high notes to come out clearly, see the Playing Tips page for tips on correct breathing technique. If you are just starting out, spend at least a few days to a week or two on your first song. Commit it to memory, and then play it over and over again.
"Tabs" (or Tablature) defined- Tabs are a simplified way to notate harmonica solos, harmonica parts, melodies and songs, without having to formally read music. Directly below is an example of our tab system.
Arrow System Explained- The "up" arrows indicate blow (exhale) notes and the "down" arrows are for the draw (inhale) notes. The little "b's" under the arrows are flat signs. One "b" is a half step bend and two "b's" are a whole step bend. Remember that not every note is capable of bending the same amount.
The Number and Arrow System
Master Song and Tab List- This song is a sample from our main website, Harmonica Lessons.com. Click here to view the Master Song and Tab list which shows all the tabs available in our Harmonica Lessons.com Members Area.
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.
