Instructions:
The Harmonica is a delicate instrument with a special gentle sound. To continue and enjoy this sound, there are a few important rules you must remember.
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When you play, make sure you mouth is clean. Do not play immediately after you eat unless you have cleaned your mouth.
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Warm the harmonica between your hands for better response (especially during the winter.)
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After you finish playing a piece, tap the harmonica with it's holes down against your hand or your leg to clear it of excess spit.
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Do not touch the mechanism within the harmonica, it produces the sound by vibration and is very sensitive.
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If the harmonica is out of a tune or a note is "stuck", you should send it for cleaning and repair.
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When not in use, keep the harmonica closed in it's case protected from dust and hum
idity.
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Step 1 - Grip
Hold the harmonica in your left hand between your thumb and forefinger so that the numbers above the holes ascends from your hand outwards. See picture 1 - the number appear above the holes.
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Step 2 – Resonance Chamber
Close the space behind the harmonica with the fingers of your right so that the base of your thumbs touch and form a sort of resonance chamber behind the harmonica. See picture 2
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Step 3 - Vibrato
Rapidly open and close the fingers of your right hand while the thumbs remain connected.
Put your lips against the holes of the harmonica and blow into them. While producing this sound, move the fingers of your right hand, creating the vibrato. You will hear a change in the volume and tone of the sound. You should use vibrato on long notes to add feeling and interest - see picture 3.
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Producing Sound
Producing sound with the harmonica might seem easy at first glance, but as with most things concerning the harmonica, it is takes more than what meets the eye. Playing a few sounds together is fairly easy, but producing a single accurate note might be difficult at first, so be patient and practice.
There are two primary approaches to playing the harmonica. One use the lips alone, and the other, recommended route, is to use the tongue. This second approach is critical for playing chords and rhythmic accompaniment while playing melody.
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Using the Lips
Most people who pick up the harmonica and play using this technique.
Close your lips naturally but leave a small pinhole in the middle like you blow a candle. Position this opening over the fourth hole of the harmonica (C) and blow. See the following diagram:
Using the Tongue
Place the tip of the tongue under hole number 4 so that both sides of the tongue block the neighboring holes. Blow a note. Your tongue must be relaxed for this to work. See the following diagram:
Note:
When you begin to play Harmonica, you will have trouble producing a single note. Do not give up hope! Even if you can't play a single note, continue playing, play the exercises 8 time a day. As you practice you will find it easier and easier to control the air flow. In no time at all you will be playing precisely.
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Don't have the music player? press here -
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First Exercises:
Play the following exercises by reading the hole number and the direction of air flow. An upwards arrow represents blowing into the hole, and a downward arrow represents drawing air from the hole. Try to keep a steady beat through out the exercise.
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play the two exercises 8 time a day for abut one week
Exercise A
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Push to Play
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Exercise B
play the exercises 8 time a day for abut one week |
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Push to Play -
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Excellent! Now lets move on to learning notes. |
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