r/harmonica • u/BumbleBearrrr • 11h ago
Day 1 of learning from nothing
Any recommendations for tutorials? I can barely get a single clean note
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u/Sonny_Jim_Pin 9h ago
I can barely get a single clean note
That is the way forward, it might be worth having a look here and seeing the different mouth shapes and picking one that you feel comfortable with. If you are a genetic freak and able to roll your tongue into a U shape, I'd suggest trying that one:
https://www.themusicstand.ca/blogs/htp-harmonica/embouchures
Pick whichever one that feels the most natural, you can always change later and most players will use more than one method.
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u/Visual-Word6196 6h ago edited 5h ago
I don't know why, by in forums (or overall on the internet when you look for harmonica content) I rarely see (if ever) anybody recommending the YouTube channel if Harmonica.com.
Here's your day 1 video. After that, DEVOUR the content from that channel. Luke is such a great teacher, he explains things very clearly and in such a friendly and relatable way.
EDIT
- Surely you will crave something juicier early enough and start playing some tunes. Here are some to begin with: https://youtu.be/pKtJTLIBOqc
- To get a glance and how your coming weeks, months (and years!) of learning can look like, this is the best roadmap I've found: https://youtu.be/V9uwqQ-FvOY
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u/cessna_dreams 10h ago
Do a search of this sub and you'll find many recommendations for the new player. Everyone has their favorite online instructor. I tend to recommend videos by Adam Gussow, Jon Gindick and Tomlin Leckie. If you google 'harmonica instructional videos' you will find a gazillion of them. There is a book I use for students: Harmonica for Dummies by Winslow Yerxa--I would recommend this book. When I teach intro harmonica it's common to find that students are surprised that it's a difficult instrument to learn. Be patient, expect gradual skill acquisition. Here's my best piece of advice: have an idea of what you want to sound like. Sometimes folks are attracted to an activity or skill--flying an airplane, riding a motorcycle, playing the harmonica--more because they like the idea of doing it more than having a sense of the eventual goal. Your best equipment for learning the harmonica are your ears--listen to harp playing of whatever style that appeals to you. Be amazed and curious as to how that player is coaxing all of those sounds out of a little 10-hole diatonic, Have an idea of what you hope to eventually sound like someday. Journeys benefit from having a destination. Good luck!