Introduction to Playing a Simple Melody on the Harmonica

Hello, my name is Matt. And now we're going to look at playing a simple melody, a simple tune on the harmonica. This time, we're not using the blues scale; we're using the major scale on our C diatonic harmonica.

Understanding the Harmonica

The harmonica was designed back in Germany, in the 1840s, so you could play tunes in the middle bit and use chords at the bottom to accompany that melody. However, what they did was take two notes out of the first scale, so it doesn't go:

Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do.

Instead, it goes:

Do, Re, Mi, so Ti, Do.

• In the middle, you've got: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do.
• At the top end, there's nearly a full scale, but the second to last note is missing.

When we play tunes, we restrict it at first to the middle chunk of the harmonica, where we have a full suite of notes. Eventually, if you learn to bend the notes, you can get the missing notes back, but that's quite difficult and for more advanced players.

Embouchure and the First Tune

Now, looking at our first tune, we need to think about our embouchure.

1. Say "oo" in your deepest voice and freeze. What happens when you do that?

   • It puts your embouchure together.
   • Drops your chin.
   • Puts your lips into a circle.
   • Makes your tongue do that at the back.

We're going to play a tune called "When the Saints Go Marching In." This only involves holes 4, 5, and 6 on your harmonica.

Tablature Instructions

The tab (tablature) for this is written out on the site in glorious Technicolor. The numbers refer to the holes on your harmonica:

• First line: 4, 5, 5, 6
  • 4 and 5 (green): Blow
  • Second 5 (red): Draw (or breathe in)
  • 6 (green): Blow

So, the first line of "When the Saints Go Marching In" sounds like this:

• Tab: 4, 5, 5, 6

If you do each number as an individual breath, it sounds very choppy, very staccato.

Fluid Playing Technique

A better way to approach it is to slide from one note to another while still breathing, as it makes it sound much more fluid.

• For example, in the first line, you'll want to slide from:
  • Four blow to five blow while still breathing out for a smoother sound.

Let's try playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" really slowly, after a count of three:

1, 2, 3...

Don't worry if you get two notes at once; it takes a while for the embouchure to develop. Even if it sounds like this, it's still recognizable as "When the Saints Go Marching In." It's all good practice!

Articulations and Final Lines

You'll notice there are some articulations in this tune. When we come to the line, "I'm gonna be in that number," there are two Ds on number 5 and two Ds on number 6 at the end. This adds a sung quality to the tune.

Whenever you see the opportunity in this or any other tune to slide from one note to another, take it as it makes everything sound much more fluid.

At the end of the last line, you have a sequence:

• 6 blow, 5 blow, 4 blow in a line.

Again, it's best to try and do those in one breath. This develops a slightly jerky movement of the head which helps separate one note from another.

Breathing Technique

Take your time with it and breathe gently as well.

• Remember, you don't need to breathe hard into your harmonica.
• Nice and slow, and steady.
• Each time you pick up the harmonica, think: "I want to get it a little bit further inside my lip shape."

Getting it inside your mouth shape each time makes all the difference!

Chord Rhythm Practice

With the chord rhythm, we can do a variety of things. As you know, it fits all the way through the 12-bar structure.

• You can drop it in any way you like and it's going to sound okay.

You can also play it at different tempos. It works well when played slowly, but with practice, you can speed it up.

Tips for Speed

• Start off nice and steady:
  • Day 1: 5 miles an hour
  • Next practice: Aim for 10 miles an hour
  • Then: 15 miles an hour, rather than going for 90 miles an hour at first.

For a fun exercise, start slowly like a train leaving the station, then get gradually faster.

Volume Control Techniques

You can also use your chord rhythm for volume control. Here are two ways:

1. Start at normal volume and drop down to very quiet, then bring it back to loud , like this.
2. Gradually increase the volume as if you were turning up your stereo.

Blues Solo Practice

When practicing Blues Solo Number One, we can fill in the blanks between phrases.

• The phrase: da, da, da, da
• Rather than counting two beats, say tut, tut on the chord of 1, 2, and 3.

Here's a demonstration. Feel free to join in:

1, 2, 3...

We can also use the Blues Solo Number One to practice dynamics, going from normal volume down to quiet and back to normal.

Final Demonstration

Let's play Blues Solo Number One in the usual way, then have the guitar go quiet.

When the guitar goes quiet, the harmonicas go quiet as well. Then, when the guitar returns to normal volume, so do the harmonicas.

Let's give it a go after a count of three:

1, 2, 3...

And there you go!