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.
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 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 RU-vid. 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.
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!
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!
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
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!))))
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 ;)
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!!!!
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
After trying other RU-vid 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)
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!
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: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3a_aXi1q8oY.html And Isolating single notes ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v4mDMJzsnoU.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...
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
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 ;)
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
Bought a harmonica about a year ago. Cycled through a couple instructional’s on RU-vid 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.
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!!
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
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.
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.
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? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zgF6Myr6tqs.html The tabs tell you whether inhale or exhale. 👍🏼
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! 👍
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!).
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? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-moVpn-mBFr8.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?
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..
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
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!
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
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.
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...
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.
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
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
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
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 RU-vid. 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've exhausted my searches, and since you are very encouraging and easy to understand, I'm wanting to play an 'A' harp in 2nd pos. Learn some struts etc heeelp! Who should I listen to? What's the scale?
Look up Joe Filisko on Facebook and send him a message asking what study songs he has for an A harmonica. I've had a lot of fun with his Deford's Dream study song which is on an A harp, but it's Fox Chase style (pre-war blues) and that may not be what you're wanting to learn. Hope that helps!
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: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3a_aXi1q8oY.html And then this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v4mDMJzsnoU.html And then, if you're bending, this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-moVpn-mBFr8.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: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-moVpn-mBFr8.html Rock on, Luke 🤘🏼
