Wow.. ok so I’m a disabled 57 year old guy from south philly LoL.. doc said I need to take up some instruments to help me injuries... well I like the harmonica... looking for a week then found you!!!! Young man i love you lol! Your videos got to me... everyone needs a specific way to hear something to learn from it if that makes sense..(remember I’m disabled) and you did it for me! Thank you thank you thank you! Lol
A THICK BRUMMIE FROM ENGLAND WHAT EVER YOU DO IF YOU LIKE IT THAT IS THE END PRODUCT MUSIC IS YOU IMPROVISE DO WHAT YOU WANT AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY CHEERS KEEP GOING.
I bought a C major and E major 15 years ago . I wanted to play the blues. I wasn’t even sure if I bought the correct majors. Couldn’t do anything with them just noise. So, I threw them in a drawer and forgot about them for 15 years. Just last week I herd a Arrow Smith song with a cool harmonica sound and I remembered my harmonicas and found them. I don’t know why but all of a sudden I could play it! I could copy most of the blue songs that I looked up on UA-cam. Is that normal to play instantly? I feel like I became possessed. Now I can’t put it down. For two weeks now I play it for two or three hours during the day. And at night I sit in my car playing so I don’t wake the neighbors. I like music for training but I never learned how to play an instrument until now. It’s weird!
As an oldie of 74, (I started at 72), this is a great instrument to learn. Stick it in your top pocket and doodle, it starts to make sense. I play blues and I've just started playing it in the band. This is a great place to start learning. When you start to bend notes you get a great kick! Thanks Luke.
Having the knowledge is one thing but being able to communicate it, to share it with others the way you do, it's totally another set of skills. Congrats oh great teacher Onizuka
I just love how Luke creates and teaches these lessons. He is such a positive influence. Now I just need to break out the harmonicas and start learning how to play!
I can play the licks pretty well but I seem to be running out of breath, do you have any useful tips? I''m using a pretty cheap hohner silver star so maybe I'm blowing too hard.
Yeah, Andrea having a cheap harp definitely could be exacerbating things. You can pick up a much better for as little as $15. Check out my article here: www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/ You might make yourself happy to upgrade to a Fender Blues Deluxe at least. Are you running out of air, or running out of room in your lungs? You're probably allowing air to come in through your nose or escape through your nose. Pinch your nose to check yourself. Rock on, Luke
Right on Carol! If you haven't already I encourage you to check out my Chords for Beginners and Single Notes for Beginners as this lesson is a little bit more advanced. Rock on!
Wow, thank you so much for this fantastic lesson. I finally understand the blues structure, I can't stop practicing this. You explain every thing so well and make it a joy to learn.
You took the words out of my mouth. I saw those blues phrases for 20 years and nobody ever explained them properly. Now I know. Thank you so much Luke.
Amazing! I've never been an explanation so good for this subj. Great, man! This lesson gave me motivation to come back to my harmonica's studies. Thanks ;)
It was very cool !!! I finally found what I was looking for so long!!! Even with my bad English, I understood almost everything)) Great positive lesson! This can not be found on russian-language channels. Thank you so much from Ukraine! Definitely like and subscribe!))))
This is without a doubt the most brilliant beginner's lesson I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of them) I'm staying right here, and thank you for your talent not only in playing but also in your ability to convey the content. Very good concept and execution.
Luke, you are a great teacher and the visual aids work very well - thank you for doing this video. I've been playing for many, many years and can bend and twist the harp many ways, but somehow haven't be able to really get the structure of the blues as you have laid out so well and clearly here. This may be what I've needed to see what I've not be able to do. Thank you for making it clear for me the way you teach!!!!
After trying other UA-cam tutorials and not really vibing with them I found this channel and wow, I finally am getting it. With an hour or so’s practise with Luke’s instruction I was able to go from struggling to play single notes and not being able to bend at all to being able to play along almost perfectly with the solo.
@@Harmonicacom Cheers mate, I have invested in Beginner to Boss and am having a blast with it. By the way, do you remember what harmonica you are using in this video? It looks like it could be a crossover? it is the exact sound I am looking for (I'm currently using a blues harp and its a little flat in comparison although that could be entirely my fault)
Absolutely loving your lessons! I’m confused about something though. At about 4:40 why is chord 4 at the third phrase incorrect, or is it correct?? Shouldn’t it be blow 345 and not draw 234? Can that be explained? Please and thanks so much👏👏🎉❣️
Hey Dawn - I'm confused where you're talking about? 4:40 is the 3rd bar of the 1st phrase and it should be I chord as written. I'm wondering if you're asking about a QUICK 4? (That's when bar 2 of the first 4-bar phrase goes to the IV chord.)
You’re very welcome. Here's the jam tracks: soundcloud.com/user-58351614/12-bar-blues-jam-track There's also other jam tracks, audio examples, and written lessons here: www.harmonica.com/blues-harmonica-for-beginners-61369.html
man , you're a very good tutor... like your methodology.. I bought my harmonica 3 days ago.. watched hundreds of videos. but yours are amazing... I've been able to bend today and keep up with you on this Blues solo.. Thanks a lot :))
Wow, Andre! That's very impressive. Just make sure you get those good fundamentals on mouth position: ua-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/v-deo.html And Isolating single notes ua-cam.com/video/v4mDMJzsnoU/v-deo.html As long you are keeping those fundamentals solid, bend away. But typically I recommend not worry about bending at least for the first couple weeks, or longer...
Been playing improvisational blues on guitar and want to add harp playing also. Recommendation for what blues harps to buy for a beginner? Thanks for the simple but dynamic video!
This is a C harmonica. Normally I play Lee Oskars, but it looks like on this vid for some reason I was playing my Hohner Crossover. Great harmonica, but EXPENSIVE!!
WOO HOO! If you're impressing the mrs, there's nothing really better than that! Here's to hoping the harmonica heats up your love life. ;-) Rock on, Luke
Thanks Luke - Had a great time learning yet a bit more from you. One of the best pieces of advice that I got from you was in a previous video lesson and all you said was take a break when playing a tune and don't try to play through the whole song. It'll sound a lot better with breaks. That advice was what I needed to tone it down and it works and sounds great. Then you get to kill that solo on your turn. Thanks again Vince
I have got to say that you got me blowing and drawing, even though I have zero musical talent... What a wonderful time I had! You are a great inspiration to me and I shall look forward to every lesson ;)
I started with Luke about 2 months ago. It's 10/21/23 now I'm taking a beginner lesson from Luke. You need to get a beginner lesson from Luke, he's for the Beginner 5:39:16 v3
Bought a harmonica about a year ago. Cycled through a couple instructional’s on UA-cam before I found this channel. And you guys are amazing. Thank you so much for this content. I learned so much from you guys in the past year.
Harmonica com Thanks again for the videos,my favorite is the banding,but they are all so great!Thanks for the answer,i m already a Fan of yours 😊✌️.Please tell me where you started playing,my neighbors in the skyscraper are already angry because i still can not play properly 🤣🤣🤣
Awesome. I play electric guitar and love jamming to blues, blues rock, whatever, but man, the harmonica has soul. You're an excellent teacher. No bs, right to the point. Cuts through the tricks and mystery right to the magic. Thanks.
I’m trying to learn and you’re doing a good job. I think if you had a light in the background just one and you’re dedicated it in or out negative or positive whatever you call it, it would be easier for us to tell when my breathing correctly. And ease the mood as we learn…
I know you just briefly mentioned the analogy of a kid copying their parents to learn to talk, but that is EXACTLY how it is when learning a new instrument! You gotta learn how other people do things, and apply what you learned to create you own style! 👍
Fantastic, I made it also using a Shuffle using the Fender free app and works so well. The chords in the video seem to be wrong but the correct ones are in the description, thanks for a splendid video and lessons. I just grabbed my cheap Hohner harmonicas which are enough for learning.
Luke I think you're fantastic, but one critique is the holding of the harp would look very unusual to a beginner. Maybe you can try and hold it the traditional way just for videos.
Yes, great observation! Since making the Beginner to Boss course, I try to always use the "correct" grip in vids, and in fact I now often play with the "correct" grip as well.
Ha! I run out of breath all the time too, Mark. There are some tricks for sure. The main one is to pay attention to the nose. I find all the time that I'm unconsciously allowing air to escape in or out of the nose when I don't intend to. Rock on, Luke
Wow, you replied cheers! Been playing about 2 months now and prarcticed this about a hundred times, it sounds great till you record your self playing!! Rock on I guess..
Best tutorial I'v e seen. Very easy going, and helpful. Makes me feel comfortable whilst watching and learning (unlike some other teachers, who are also great players of course) Thank you very much!
Luke really like all of your lessons, but this one in particular.. You said the backing track is in the description below.. I find the Tabs, and the tab link, but not the baking track.. Can you help me?? Thanks again, Sir...
It’s a the bottom of the section entitled “Telling Your Own Story.” www.harmonica.com/blues-harmonica-for-beginners-61369.html Or you can find it here: soundcloud.com/user-58351614/12-bar-blues-jam-track
Thank you so much for this. I have been playing guitar with blues, rock and jazz groups (just pub bands) for forty years and I have always envied the harp players. I really wanted to know how it is done, but could never work it out, even after I had 'cross-harping' explained to me. I shall be following your tutorials with great enthusiasm. I also liked the humour of the first, beginner's video. Did I hear a fellow Brit in the background? Best regards, Bob McGowan (Not the Chair Circle!).
Thank you so much for this. I have been playing guitar with blues, rock and jazz groups (just pub bands) for forty years and I have always envied the harp players. I really wanted to know how it is done, but could never work it out. I shall be following your tutorials with great interest. I also liked the humour of the first, beginner's video. Did I hear a fellow Brit in the background? Best regards, Bob McGowan (Not the Chair Circle!).
So I'm not a total beginner. I can play this stuff pretty well already. But it's not that tight. How do you get that precise sound? My version is kind of sloppy.
Hey Paul - so that probably means you have some habits that are making you hit a glass ceiling. You might have to go a couple steps back to go forward. Check out this: ua-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/v-deo.html And then this: ua-cam.com/video/v4mDMJzsnoU/v-deo.html And then, if you're bending, this: ua-cam.com/video/moVpn-mBFr8/v-deo.html If you're not bending yet, just focus on getting nice clear single notes. If you're really wanting to get to the next level, you might actually find it helpful to go through my Beginner to Boss course: ua-cam.com/video/moVpn-mBFr8/v-deo.html Rock on, Luke 🤘🏼
I have a big problem bending. When I bend the notes go higher pitch instead of deeper.. someone on Facebook said it’s impossible.. obviously not.. my problem is my mouth doesn’t relax.. it’s kinda cool because it’s still bends but higher.. you wrote me before about bending.. I’m teaching myself watching you.. I’m learning a lot. Playing piano man, the godfather, isn’t she lovely.. but bending grrrr lol piano man bending higher works out good.. i bought a special 20 today online.. I listened to your review.. that’s why.. I have 2 marine bands.. like u said it tears up my lips.. especially since I’m in Vegas.. it’s dry here.. a lot of blistex.. no not while I play lol.. can u tell me why my bending goes higher?
Hi William - have you seen this? ua-cam.com/video/moVpn-mBFr8/v-deo.html Hmmm... You may be doing an overblow or an overdraw? Those are the only notes that go up. Overblows: 4,5,6 and overdraws: 7,8,9,10 are all possible. Could it be your trying to bend on blow 4 instead of draw -4?
When I jam,, I Just play it by ear & put my heart about it & produces great results...Im one of the few blues harmonica players here in Cebu City, The Philippines...Thanks for thus great tutorial...
Bruh I'm 42 and ALWAYS wanted to play some instrument. My fingers are long awkward for the guitar. I don't like the piano because it's such a large instrument. Bottom line I want to be able to play something I can just bust out at campfires, or just waiting in the car for my wife to finish shopping.... anywhere. I'm gonna go pick up a hohner today. I followed and subscribed to your channel. Keep this up. Im a job training instructor for construction by trade and I have to compliment your tutorial skills. Much love. If I ever hit the lime light. I promise you I'll be sending you a massive shout out.
Kickass , thats the good stuff. Like how you teach. got$10 swan harmonica on the may 5th. Was watching according to Jim, and Jim Belushi showed how to hold a a few simple techniques . Being 58 looking into and learning harmonica is fun. You and Jim and all the greats inspire. Also its great for breathing exercise to
This is supposed to be for 'beginners'. Why do you immediately start with unfamiliar terms? Beginners are just that, starters...first timers. Just a suggestion from another instructor. Don't assume your students know a thing.
Your technique is quite commendable however your note phrases lack the feeling of a true blues musician proving soul is not dispensable. Try frowning when you play. Blues is funky because the people who made it were in a funk feeling blue. Otherwise its just low-down-home-country
Word. Living on the street, going thru a divorce, and going thru bankruptcy all helped me to play the blues with more feeling! One of the beautiful things about music how it takes the worst and turns it into something beautiful!
Thanks for taking the time to make these vids... mu Suzuki blues harmonica arrived today. Followed a couple of your vids and it's taken me 20 minutes to get the grin off my face. :-)
I’m so lost. Definately not for beginners hahah. This is all math to me. Idk anything about all that. I just gotta find out the basics and understanding of it
Hello Luke, I follow you from France. It's very nice to learn with your classes. Can you tell me where to have the accompaniment music to play solo? Thanks in advance. Dennis
Thrilled to have found your site; I've been watching and learning all afternoon, lol!!! Question - would it better to have a harmonica in the key of C or G to practice along? Seems in most video's you are playing on C harp...
If you are having difficulty understanding the "explanation", take heart. I have played harmonica for more than 60 years and I can play any song, any genre, and any style, but I usually don't understand one word of the explanatory harmonica "lessons" to be found on UA-cam. I can play all the examples often better than on the recorded example, but I don't understand any of the terms. I can do it all, but I have no idea what it is called. Nobody taught me how to do it. I just figured it out by trial and error. The hole numbers also mean nothing to me or any explanations about "first position/second position" etc. I can just pick up the harmonica and at first attempt, I find I am either blowing or sucking in precisely the right place to get the note I want and the sound I want. If you practice enough, it becomes as easy as touching your nose with your finger. You don't need to look in the mirror to do that, and you don't need to be counting the damn holes on the harmonica. With all due respect to the teachers who have obviously done a great job making such a science of it, if I had seen one of these explanations when I was starting out, I would have been so discouraged, I would have quit. If you can make sense of it, go ahead, but if it makes no sense to you at all, my advice is just forget trying to understand it. Just pick up your harmonica and play it. Have it clear in your mind what sound you want to make. Listen to the example and listen to yourself. Note the difference and just keep getting wrong until you get it right. Try singing it and then playing it. That helps a lot.
Amen to letting your ears be your guide, 100% I'm with you about singing it before you try to play it. I also never paid attention to hole numbers until I started teaching. Sounds like you were born with great ears, my friend. I was not, everything came super-slow for me, but I was born with the passion to persist. So I personally had to learn theory to help my train my ears. I always wished I was one of those "naturals" but perhaps not being one helps me to teach some who are like me. Anyways, I tried to pack like 3 decades of studying blues into a 15 minute video here, lol. Harmonica is the best instrument! Rock on!!!
I'm new at this so please don't laugh at this question, feel dumb asking..but I'm trying to understand what exactly is meant when saying to say "oy" or "ee hah", are you literally trying to say those words while blowing/inhaling or ? How exactly are you getting it to sound like those words. Hope this question makes sense.
Hey Shay - not a dumb question at all. I not literally "saying" those words, but rather making my mouth into those kind of vowel shapes. Hey, if you're a newbie on the harmonica, I'd recommend you start with some easier stuff, like these 3 free lessons: www.harmonica.com Aloha, Luke
Hey Luke, I’ve seen your tutorial video on how to play Piano Man and it helped me a lot! Any chance you could do a same video on how to play the solo in ‘Living in a ghost town’ from The Rolling Stones? Thanks
Wow.. ok so I’m a disabled 57 year old guy from south philly LoL.. doc said I need to take up some instruments to help me injuries... well I like the harmonica... looking for a week then found you!!!! Young man i love you lol! Your videos got to me... everyone needs a specific way to hear something to learn from it if that makes sense..(remember I’m disabled) and you did it for me! Thank you thank you thank you! Lol
Hey Martino - this makes my day! Thank you so much for your note. Keep on rockin’!
A THICK BRUMMIE FROM ENGLAND WHAT EVER YOU DO IF YOU LIKE IT THAT IS THE END PRODUCT
MUSIC IS YOU IMPROVISE DO WHAT YOU WANT AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY CHEERS KEEP GOING.
@@Harmonicacom llp7i .p7npjimmplb0l78
Hey Martino, I live in the suburbs of Philly. Keep playing man. I have been harping since I was 18....now 60.
"Go phoenixville purple people eaters"
What the hell im doing here? I hava a project tomorrow. I don't even have harmonica.
YOU NEED TO BUY ONE. DO IT. DO IT. DO IT! 😎
@@Harmonicacom I'm just joking dude he he he 😁
The best blues harmonica tutorial I’ve ever seen / heard! 👏👏👏👏
Aw, thanks man! I appreciate it.
Aloha,
Luke
I absolutely second that!!!!!!
Great job!
Please continue with this.
Definitely subscribed!
same here
holy crap ! now I'm going to have to practice all night :) awsome, and thank you for posting
Yes Robert! Do it! Play all night long!!!!
Thanks, you are one of the best in teaching and understanding of the harmonica. ..
Thank you so much!
I bought a C major and E major 15 years ago . I wanted to play the blues. I wasn’t even sure if I bought the correct majors. Couldn’t do anything with them just noise. So, I threw them in a drawer and forgot about them for 15 years. Just last week I herd a Arrow Smith song with a cool harmonica sound and I remembered my harmonicas and found them. I don’t know why but all of a sudden I could play it! I could copy most of the blue songs that I looked up on UA-cam. Is that normal to play instantly? I feel like I became possessed. Now I can’t put it down. For two weeks now I play it for two or three hours during the day. And at night I sit in my car playing so I don’t wake the neighbors. I like music for training but I never learned how to play an instrument until now. It’s weird!
Woo hoo! Glad to hear it Glenn. I hope you never stop playing it man!
Rock on,
Luke
As an oldie of 74, (I started at 72), this is a great instrument to learn. Stick it in your top pocket and doodle, it starts to make sense. I play blues and I've just started playing it in the band. This is a great place to start learning. When you start to bend notes you get a great kick! Thanks Luke.
Right on David! CONGRATS. you're most welcome my friend.
Rock on,
Luke
Wait! You're in a band too! WTG
Having the knowledge is one thing but being able to communicate it, to share it with others the way you do, it's totally another set of skills. Congrats oh great teacher Onizuka
Carlo - how kind of you. Thanks so much!
That last line made me crack up ngl, nice reference
I just love how Luke creates and teaches these lessons. He is such a positive influence. Now I just need to break out the harmonicas and start learning how to play!
Hi Pammy! You're just the sweetest lil sweetie aren't ya?
I can play the licks pretty well but I seem to be running out of breath, do you have any useful tips?
I''m using a pretty cheap hohner silver star so maybe I'm blowing too hard.
Yeah, Andrea having a cheap harp definitely could be exacerbating things. You can pick up a much better for as little as $15. Check out my article here:
www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/
You might make yourself happy to upgrade to a Fender Blues Deluxe at least.
Are you running out of air, or running out of room in your lungs?
You're probably allowing air to come in through your nose or escape through your nose. Pinch your nose to check yourself.
Rock on,
Luke
I just got my G harp delivered today and this is the first lesson that has been much easier to follow! So excited to learn 😩
Right on Carol! If you haven't already I encourage you to check out my Chords for Beginners and Single Notes for Beginners as this lesson is a little bit more advanced. Rock on!
Wow that was one of the best single videos about blues harp i think I have seen!
Jonathan, glad you found it helpful. Rock on.
@@Harmonicacom dude this is amazing
Wow, thank you so much for this fantastic lesson. I finally understand the blues structure, I can't stop practicing this. You explain every thing so well and make it a joy to learn.
Ha, that’s what I like to hear. Glad you’re having fun. Rock on!
You took the words out of my mouth. I saw those blues phrases for 20 years and nobody ever explained them properly. Now I know. Thank you so much Luke.
Amazing! I've never been an explanation so good for this subj. Great, man! This lesson gave me motivation to come back to my harmonica's studies. Thanks ;)
Hey, Raquel, that’s great news. Keep it up. Best instrument!
It was very cool !!! I finally found what I was looking for so long!!! Even with my bad English, I understood almost everything)) Great positive lesson! This can not be found on russian-language channels. Thank you so much from Ukraine! Definitely like and subscribe!))))
Right on, Ihor from Ukraine. Great to hear from you. Rock on!
Having the diagrams to the side makes it so much easier to follow. Thanks
Right on, Bud. Very happy to hear that. Thanks for the note!
"every time i come home she always makes me tea..."
classic blues right there!
LOL. That's so funny. I know, it was kinda spur of the moment, but since then I have thought, "maybe I should turn that into an actual song?..." :-)
@@Harmonicacom absolutely you should!
@@Harmonicacom Oh you DEFINITELY should!! I couldn't stop smiling when I heard that :)
Having knowing your Instrument Well is one thing, teaching it to others is another skill.
You have them both!
Thanks and God Bless from Jerusalem.
Thanks Hanan! God bless you from Hawaii. Happy harpin’!
This is without a doubt the most brilliant beginner's lesson I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of them) I'm staying right here, and thank you for your talent not only in playing but also in your ability to convey the content. Very good concept and execution.
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Rock on! 😎
Luke, you are a great teacher and the visual aids work very well - thank you for doing this video. I've been playing for many, many years and can bend and twist the harp many ways, but somehow haven't be able to really get the structure of the blues as you have laid out so well and clearly here. This may be what I've needed to see what I've not be able to do. Thank you for making it clear for me the way you teach!!!!
YESSSSS! Sounds like a whole new beautiful world may be opening up for you. Honored to be part of your journey.
Rock on,
Luke
You couldn’t have explained/demonstrated any better. Outstanding! Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
hey thank you so fricking much! I loved this lesson - you are awesome to share - big lungs from oakland ca
Right on Tracy. Yay Area!!!
Dudee! This really unveils the mystery. I watched loads of videos and I'd say that's the best explanation I could ever find
Thank you for you kind words. Rock on!
Great 1st half. 2nd half might take me 2 weeks to get down. ( I am a total beginner). All in all, best instructor I've found so far.
Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, Robert!
After trying other UA-cam tutorials and not really vibing with them I found this channel and wow, I finally am getting it. With an hour or so’s practise with Luke’s instruction I was able to go from struggling to play single notes and not being able to bend at all to being able to play along almost perfectly with the solo.
WHAT!?!? RIGHT ON!! CONGRATS!!! THAT'S AMAZING!!
@@Harmonicacom Cheers mate, I have invested in Beginner to Boss and am having a blast with it. By the way, do you remember what harmonica you are using in this video? It looks like it could be a crossover? it is the exact sound I am looking for (I'm currently using a blues harp and its a little flat in comparison although that could be entirely my fault)
Absolutely loving your lessons! I’m confused about something though. At about 4:40 why is chord 4 at the third phrase incorrect, or is it correct?? Shouldn’t it be blow 345 and not draw 234? Can that be explained? Please and thanks so much👏👏🎉❣️
Hey Dawn - I'm confused where you're talking about? 4:40 is the 3rd bar of the 1st phrase and it should be I chord as written. I'm wondering if you're asking about a QUICK 4? (That's when bar 2 of the first 4-bar phrase goes to the IV chord.)
Thank you so much for your tutorial videos. These are absolutely motivative. How can i find backing track?
You’re very welcome. Here's the jam tracks:
soundcloud.com/user-58351614/12-bar-blues-jam-track
There's also other jam tracks, audio examples, and written lessons here:
www.harmonica.com/blues-harmonica-for-beginners-61369.html
Great video very clear and simple Thanks!
Thanks a lot, man. Playing harmonica seems much easier when you're teaching. Obrigado!
Aluzio - you’re very welcome, meu irmao. Aloha from Hawaii.
The phrase, the way you make distinct draws of -2, -3 and-4, it's so tough man...
Have you already gotten comfy with single notes? ua-cam.com/video/v4mDMJzsnoU/v-deo.html
man , you're a very good tutor... like your methodology.. I bought my harmonica 3 days ago.. watched hundreds of videos. but yours are amazing... I've been able to bend today and keep up with you on this Blues solo.. Thanks a lot :))
Wow, Andre! That's very impressive. Just make sure you get those good fundamentals on mouth position:
ua-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/v-deo.html
And Isolating single notes
ua-cam.com/video/v4mDMJzsnoU/v-deo.html
As long you are keeping those fundamentals solid, bend away. But typically I recommend not worry about bending at least for the first couple weeks, or longer...
Спасибо
Пожалуйста
Broke down simply... Great teaching method... Thanks a bunch, Luke...
Right on Bruce. Thanks for the note!
U-got,2-Fell,it*be4‐u,canplay/it...the end.*****!!!!!
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
You are a great teacher. This is exactly what I have been searching for. Thanks a million.
Right on Deryck. Thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked it!
Been playing improvisational blues on guitar and want to add harp playing also. Recommendation for what blues harps to buy for a beginner? Thanks for the simple but dynamic video!
Right on David! Lee Oskar or Special 20.
Thanks for the advice. I purchased three Special 20 harps and subscribed to your lessons. You really teach simple but well.
Talking form Brazil! Great job, thank you
Helvio - thanks meu irmao!
What key of this harmonica & are this special 20key honer?
This is a C harmonica. Normally I play Lee Oskars, but it looks like on this vid for some reason I was playing my Hohner Crossover. Great harmonica, but EXPENSIVE!!
You are an excellent teacher! I hope I can play the harmonica like you one day.
Thank you. You can do it, Eric!
this is a phenomenal video, well done! Even the mrs was like "hey you are actually getting better"!
WOO HOO! If you're impressing the mrs, there's nothing really better than that!
Here's to hoping the harmonica heats up your love life. ;-)
Rock on,
Luke
Thanks Luke - Had a great time learning yet a bit more from you.
One of the best pieces of advice that I got from you was in a previous video lesson and all you said was take a break when playing a tune and don't try to play through the whole song.
It'll sound a lot better with breaks.
That advice was what I needed to tone it down and it works and sounds great.
Then you get to kill that solo on your turn.
Thanks again
Vince
Loved this lesson Luke. Thank you!
Yes Vin! You got it, man. Some restraint will pay HUGE dividends. Not playing is the easiest thing to do….and yet it’s actually the hardest!
@@Mihauros You’re welcome, Mike. Glad you liked it. Thanks for the note.
I have got to say that you got me blowing and drawing, even though I have zero musical talent... What a wonderful time I had! You are a great inspiration to me and I shall look forward to every lesson ;)
Thank you so much, Geo! 😀
Great lesson! Thanks from Portugal :)
Camilia - glad you enjoyed it, minha irmã.
I started with Luke about 2 months ago. It's 10/21/23 now
I'm taking a beginner lesson from Luke. You need to get a beginner lesson from Luke, he's for the Beginner 5:3 9:16 v3
The best blues lesson ever! Great job, many thanks!
Helmut - Haha! You rock! Thank you, and you’re welcome!
Bought a harmonica about a year ago. Cycled through a couple instructional’s on UA-cam before I found this channel. And you guys are amazing. Thank you so much for this content. I learned so much from you guys in the past year.
Woo hoo. So glad it's helped! 👊🏼
Thank you Luke, meeeeega cool the Video !!! Sorry for my Englisch, i am from Germany 😅
Hallo, mein freund, my german is even worse! Glad you liked it.
Harmonica com I use the Google translator and hope that everything is correect 🤣✌️
Harmonica com Thanks again for the videos,my favorite is the banding,but they are all so great!Thanks for the answer,i m already a Fan of yours 😊✌️.Please tell me where you started playing,my neighbors in the skyscraper are already angry because i still can not play properly 🤣🤣🤣
What specific harmonic do I need to be able to follow this lesson to a "T"?
Any 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C
Awesome! Luke, you're a great teacher and i'm looking forward to more lessons!
More on the way.
Thanks Luke. Your instructions are the best and lm having fun learning the different techniques. Really appreciate your style of instruction
Right on Roland. Thanks for the note!
very good! I am in love with harmonica, thank you for giving us this beautiful improvisation !!
Everaldo - I’m in love with the harmonica too! It’s the coolest little instrument. Lucky us, we get to play it!
Quiero aprender ah tocar armonica pero tengo una afinada en Bb
Dale! Necessitas comprar un C
Who IS this guy ?? He is low key GREAT teacher!!
They call me Luke :-) Thanks so much!
That was a lot of fun that! I'm more of an intermediate players but had a good session riffing with just those few ideas, thanks dude!
Dave - right on. Yeah, man, we can never get too much of the fundamentals!
11:50. Thank you, Luke. Great lesson
Glad you liked it!
Awesome. I play electric guitar and love jamming to blues, blues rock, whatever, but man, the harmonica has soul. You're an excellent teacher. No bs, right to the point. Cuts through the tricks and mystery right to the magic. Thanks.
Awesome. Glad the vid helped! Yes harmonica got SOUL. Rock on! 😎
Many Thanks Luke, you have great teaching style.
Going to practice now.
You’re very welcome, Fred. Thank you. Have fun playing!
Really amazing video, thanks! So much information and plenty of opportunities to practice regardless of skill level
Awesome, glad you like. You’re very welcome!
I’m trying to learn and you’re doing a good job. I think if you had a light in the background just one and you’re dedicated it in or out negative or positive whatever you call it, it would be easier for us to tell when my breathing correctly. And ease the mood as we learn…
Not sure if you've seen this vid on tabs Lee? ua-cam.com/video/zgF6Myr6tqs/v-deo.html
The tabs tell you whether inhale or exhale. 👍🏼
It's my first time visiting here. Great job! So good! 👍👍👍👍👍
Sweet. Thanks! Glad you liked. 😄
Man! It's really nice watching your tutorials, I have learned so much! You gave no ideia how good teacher you are. Hugs from Brazil!
Thanks meu irmão!
I know you just briefly mentioned the analogy of a kid copying their parents to learn to talk, but that is EXACTLY how it is when learning a new instrument! You gotta learn how other people do things, and apply what you learned to create you own style! 👍
Amen and amen.
nicr shirt,,my son gave me one like it...
Oh cool! I love that shirt too!
Fantastic, I made it also using a Shuffle using the Fender free app and works so well. The chords in the video seem to be wrong but the correct ones are in the description, thanks for a splendid video and lessons. I just grabbed my cheap Hohner harmonicas which are enough for learning.
Luke I think you're fantastic, but one critique is the holding of the harp would look very unusual to a beginner. Maybe you can try and hold it the traditional way just for videos.
Yes, great observation! Since making the Beginner to Boss course, I try to always use the "correct" grip in vids, and in fact I now often play with the "correct" grip as well.
The Best harmonica tutorial ever! Thanks a lot! Hope to see more tutorial like this one.
Ha - thank you so much, Alessandro! Yes, there will be more in the future!
I really want to learn to play one of these, they’ve always seemed impossible to me. That solo was incredible!
Thanks Andy! This is an intermediate lesson. I'd recommend starting here: www.harmonica.com/how-to-play-the-harmonica/
@@Harmonicacom Awesome! Cheers Luke
Wow, you got some lungs on you Luke! Just ran out of breath!
Ha! I run out of breath all the time too, Mark. There are some tricks for sure. The main one is to pay attention to the nose. I find all the time that I'm unconsciously allowing air to escape in or out of the nose when I don't intend to. Rock on,
Luke
Wow, you replied cheers! Been playing about 2 months now and prarcticed this about a hundred times, it sounds great till you record your self playing!! Rock on I guess..
I GOT HARMONICA GIFT 🎁 FROM MY BROTHER AND I LOVE THAT INSTRUMENT CAN I PLAY LIKE THAT AND CAN I DO WITH MY 24 HOLES HARMONICA
So good for instruction. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Hey even this 76 years youngster believes he can play the blues! Dude is a good teacher!
Yes you can! Thanks for the kind words. Rock on. 👊🏼
Great videos, really loving following your beginner blues lessons. Please keep them coming!
Glad you like them! More to come!
Great tutorial. Solo was amazing also
Glad you liked it!
Great lesson. I consider myself a beginner and watched this several times. Getting better with it every time I watch.
Awesome. So glad to hear it.
Best tutorial I'v e seen. Very easy going, and helpful. Makes me feel comfortable whilst watching and learning (unlike some other teachers, who are also great players of course) Thank you very much!
Glad it helped! You are very welcome, my friend.
Rock on,
Luke
Hahaha I'm panting like a dog after starting the solo section. Anyone got some helpful breathing tips?
Yes, because these licks are mostly drawing, do a big exhale so that there’s no air in your lungs before you start the solo.
@@Harmonicacom Ohh alright. Will try that. Thank you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank You.
You are very welcome!
You are a great teacher. This is exactly what I have been searching for. Thanks a million.
Glad to hear that! Rock on my friend. You are very welcome.
Luke really like all of your lessons, but this one in particular.. You said the backing track is in the description below.. I find the Tabs, and the tab link, but not the baking track.. Can you help me?? Thanks again, Sir...
It’s a the bottom of the section entitled “Telling Your Own Story.”
www.harmonica.com/blues-harmonica-for-beginners-61369.html
Or you can find it here: soundcloud.com/user-58351614/12-bar-blues-jam-track
Thank you. That was fun. We're starting to get creative. 😊
Roger that. Glad you’re enjoying it Maurice. Rock on.
Hi do you incorporate any other instruments in you lessons ie guitar and harmonica together
Thank you so much for this.
I have been playing guitar with blues, rock and jazz groups (just pub bands) for forty years and I have always envied the harp players. I really wanted to know how it is done, but could never work it out, even after I had 'cross-harping' explained to me.
I shall be following your tutorials with great enthusiasm. I also liked the humour of the first, beginner's video.
Did I hear a fellow Brit in the background?
Best regards,
Bob McGowan (Not the Chair Circle!).
Lol. Right on Bob!!
Thank you so much for this.
I have been playing guitar with blues, rock and jazz groups (just pub bands) for forty years and I have always envied the harp players. I really wanted to know how it is done, but could never work it out. I shall be following your tutorials with great interest. I also liked the humour of the first, beginner's video.
Did I hear a fellow Brit in the background?
Best regards,
Bob McGowan (Not the Chair Circle!).
Glad you're delving into harp, Bob! You won't regret it, and I'm glad to help. Hope it makes it makes its way into some of your performances.
So I'm not a total beginner. I can play this stuff pretty well already. But it's not that tight. How do you get that precise sound? My version is kind of sloppy.
Hey Paul - so that probably means you have some habits that are making you hit a glass ceiling. You might have to go a couple steps back to go forward. Check out this:
ua-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/v-deo.html
And then this:
ua-cam.com/video/v4mDMJzsnoU/v-deo.html
And then, if you're bending, this:
ua-cam.com/video/moVpn-mBFr8/v-deo.html
If you're not bending yet, just focus on getting nice clear single notes. If you're really wanting to get to the next level, you might actually find it helpful to go through my Beginner to Boss course:
ua-cam.com/video/moVpn-mBFr8/v-deo.html
Rock on,
Luke 🤘🏼
hey dude, thank you so much! great lesson lml
Yes, my dude. You’re very welcome!
I have a big problem bending. When I bend the notes go higher pitch instead of deeper.. someone on Facebook said it’s impossible.. obviously not.. my problem is my mouth doesn’t relax.. it’s kinda cool because it’s still bends but higher.. you wrote me before about bending.. I’m teaching myself watching you.. I’m learning a lot. Playing piano man, the godfather, isn’t she lovely.. but bending grrrr lol piano man bending higher works out good.. i bought a special 20 today online.. I listened to your review.. that’s why.. I have 2 marine bands.. like u said it tears up my lips.. especially since I’m in Vegas.. it’s dry here.. a lot of blistex.. no not while I play lol.. can u tell me why my bending goes higher?
Hi William - have you seen this? ua-cam.com/video/moVpn-mBFr8/v-deo.html
Hmmm... You may be doing an overblow or an overdraw? Those are the only notes that go up. Overblows: 4,5,6 and overdraws: 7,8,9,10 are all possible. Could it be your trying to bend on blow 4 instead of draw -4?
ماجمل الهرمونيكا في الاوقات المجتمعين #
When I jam,, I Just play it by ear & put my heart about it & produces great results...Im one of the few blues harmonica players here in Cebu City, The Philippines...Thanks for thus great tutorial...
That’s it Mike! It’s all about heart.
@@Harmonicacom Thanks from the bottom of my heart...Regards...I'm having my own blues harp sound...
Bruh I'm 42 and ALWAYS wanted to play some instrument. My fingers are long awkward for the guitar. I don't like the piano because it's such a large instrument. Bottom line I want to be able to play something I can just bust out at campfires, or just waiting in the car for my wife to finish shopping.... anywhere. I'm gonna go pick up a hohner today. I followed and subscribed to your channel. Keep this up. Im a job training instructor for construction by trade and I have to compliment your tutorial skills. Much love. If I ever hit the lime light. I promise you I'll be sending you a massive shout out.
YESSAH! You've have chosen WISELY. This is the PERFECT instrument for YOU! Keep us posted....
Kickass , thats the good stuff. Like how you teach. got$10 swan harmonica on the may 5th. Was watching according to Jim, and Jim Belushi showed how to hold a a few simple techniques
. Being 58 looking into and learning harmonica is fun. You and Jim and all the greats inspire. Also its great for breathing exercise to
Right on Paul! Thanks for watching! 😎🙌🏼🎶
This is supposed to be for 'beginners'. Why do you immediately start with unfamiliar terms? Beginners are just that, starters...first timers. Just a suggestion from another instructor. Don't assume your students know a thing.
Ah. What term was unfamiliar?
Try this one: ua-cam.com/video/Zc-EcRFrxcA/v-deo.htmlsi=Tj3HKTExuDkEf5gz
Your technique is quite commendable however your note phrases lack the feeling of a true blues musician proving soul is not dispensable. Try frowning when you play. Blues is funky because the people who made it were in a funk feeling blue. Otherwise its just low-down-home-country
Word. Living on the street, going thru a divorce, and going thru bankruptcy all helped me to play the blues with more feeling! One of the beautiful things about music how it takes the worst and turns it into something beautiful!
Thanks for taking the time to make these vids... mu Suzuki blues harmonica arrived today. Followed a couple of your vids and it's taken me 20 minutes to get the grin off my face. :-)
Ha ha! THAT’S what I like to hear! Keep on rockin’ man!
I’m so lost. Definately not for beginners hahah. This is all math to me. Idk anything about all that. I just gotta find out the basics and understanding of it
Roger that! I'd start here:
ua-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/v-deo.html
You might also like my 3 free super-beginner lessons here:
www.harmonica.com
The oy tip for bendim is the best thing ive seen
SWEET. Glad to hear it Mateo. That's how I got my first bends too!
Hello Luke, I follow you from France.
It's very nice to learn with your classes.
Can you tell me where to have the accompaniment music to play solo?
Thanks in advance.
Dennis
soundcloud.com/user-58351614/12-bar-blues-jam-track?
soundcloud.com/user-58351614/chicago-blues-backing-track-in-g-slow?
Thrilled to have found your site; I've been watching and learning all afternoon, lol!!! Question - would it better to have a harmonica in the key of C or G to practice along? Seems in most video's you are playing on C harp...
Yes, absolutely, key of C is the best for beginners when first learning!
If you are having difficulty understanding the "explanation", take heart. I have played harmonica for more than 60 years and I can play any song, any genre, and any style, but I usually don't understand one word of the explanatory harmonica "lessons" to be found on UA-cam. I can play all the examples often better than on the recorded example, but I don't understand any of the terms. I can do it all, but I have no idea what it is called. Nobody taught me how to do it. I just figured it out by trial and error. The hole numbers also mean nothing to me or any explanations about "first position/second position" etc. I can just pick up the harmonica and at first attempt, I find I am either blowing or sucking in precisely the right place to get the note I want and the sound I want. If you practice enough, it becomes as easy as touching your nose with your finger. You don't need to look in the mirror to do that, and you don't need to be counting the damn holes on the harmonica. With all due respect to the teachers who have obviously done a great job making such a science of it, if I had seen one of these explanations when I was starting out, I would have been so discouraged, I would have quit. If you can make sense of it, go ahead, but if it makes no sense to you at all, my advice is just forget trying to understand it. Just pick up your harmonica and play it. Have it clear in your mind what sound you want to make. Listen to the example and listen to yourself. Note the difference and just keep getting wrong until you get it right. Try singing it and then playing it. That helps a lot.
Amen to letting your ears be your guide, 100% I'm with you about singing it before you try to play it. I also never paid attention to hole numbers until I started teaching.
Sounds like you were born with great ears, my friend. I was not, everything came super-slow for me, but I was born with the passion to persist. So I personally had to learn theory to help my train my ears. I always wished I was one of those "naturals" but perhaps not being one helps me to teach some who are like me. Anyways, I tried to pack like 3 decades of studying blues into a 15 minute video here, lol. Harmonica is the best instrument! Rock on!!!
I'm new at this so please don't laugh at this question, feel dumb asking..but I'm trying to understand what exactly is meant when saying to say "oy" or "ee hah", are you literally trying to say those words while blowing/inhaling or ? How exactly are you getting it to sound like those words. Hope this question makes sense.
Hey Shay - not a dumb question at all. I not literally "saying" those words, but rather making my mouth into those kind of vowel shapes. Hey, if you're a newbie on the harmonica, I'd recommend you start with some easier stuff, like these 3 free lessons:
www.harmonica.com
Aloha,
Luke
Hey Luke, I’ve seen your tutorial video on how to play Piano Man and it helped me a lot!
Any chance you could do a same video on how to play the solo in ‘Living in a ghost town’ from The Rolling Stones?
Thanks
Glad you liked Piano Man Vid. Did you see Alex' vid? ua-cam.com/video/EbW6ADobW8Y/v-deo.html