Should you memorise songs on harmonica? 

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I also think the more you play a song, it gets into your muscle memory and even after years you can play it without trying to remember.

Tomlin, thank you so much !! Your knowledge is priceless

Thank You, this has been a question I have always asked myself.

Nice how you say it Tomlin. if you now the words and you can whistle your song then you know how to play it Keep up giving the great lessons

Very good breakdown. As someone who dabbles in learning a few instruments but has had to place harmonica on the back burner, perhaps the most difficult aspect is remembering how the tune or phrase sounds. But yes, play the sheet, turn it over, and play from memory. And start with common songs we know from childhood. Thanks.

That's very helpful 🙂 and great question 👍

A really interesting question. Here's what I think. To my mind this goes to what you are setting out to do with the piece of music, and what your thinking is of the role of the instrument in the mix. If you are wanting to lay out a melody line ('Happy Birthday') then sure you need to know it note by note. If you are planning to jam along with a blues number I think you first want to understand the basic chord and bar structure of the piece. Then it's more about drawing on your repertoire of licks, from single notes to complex phrases, at the points you want to say something. That certainly involves memory, and judgement, but it's very intuitive too, and that's where the fun is!

Great question. I'm in the same boat.

To me, you should know the song, but always feel free to change things while you are playing, as in any instrument,

Much, much easier method. Is to never use sheet music. All songs can be memorised very fast that way. If you do want to use a visual aid (although it is only wise to do this as a rough start) write down the scale degree value of each note phrase by phrase (be about 6 or 7 notes per phrase on average) . eg if using harp in key of C then the note C=1, D=2 etc. Write numbers down when first hearing the song. Use your ears to find notes write them down as numbers. Do not worry about notating tempo and dynamics as you will get all that much faster by simply playing along with the recording at slower speeds. Then increase speed until you can match the recording note for note at the songs given tempo. Big tip is to learn the sound of the diatonic scale so you can sing it from start of any note. Trust me sheet music is not needed if you want to learn songs super fast. Your ears are all you need and the ability to sing in tune. Once you have the basic melody memorised then go back and swap in licks etc. Do above for 40 or 50 songs and you won't then ever need to write down note numbers as you will simply play like you can sing. With no thought needed what so ever of the note name your playing. Be no different to how you think when singing. At that point all you do then, is just memorize the song itself without the harp. In the car, shower, riding a bike etc. Just learn to sing the songs correctly only. In fact at that point you'll be able to play all songs you know, once their moved to the key of your harp. You'll just get faster and faster over time plus your playing technique will develop much more easily and fairly soon (eg 2 to 3 years of casual practice) you'll be able to purely concentrate on embellishments/licks only. If you can already play another instrument well by ear, then above will only take just a few months.

Ty Tomlin.

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Myself...I have to hear the music in my head...the whole song...Then like Tomlin said whistle the toon in the shower, in the car...the learning is just not when you have the music and harmonica in hand.

Thanks, Tomlin. Here's a great book that's helping me understand solo construction. "Improvising Blues Harmonica" by Dave Barrett and John Garcia published by Mel Bay

Thank you very Tomlin I'm pretty know how to play harmonica

I also like the way Tomlin lays out his tabs when presenting a lesson on a song or 12 bar blues. One section at a time. Take your time learning each section and then string them together. It’s a solid way to memorize the song. I enjoyed this video.

In my opinion, memorising songs is the only way. This way you can concentrate on the tone, articulation and all this great stuff. Of course you want to play something many times until you don't think about tabs, but it becomes muscle memory. Basically you can put your heart and feeling into playing. Otherwise it would be hard. Maybe possible bit hard.... I think 😉

If you can whistle it you can play it! Great video!

Maybe i can put me in a dark room and learn to play my harmonica. Then i just have to feel and listening. I do not either need to use my glasses. Just a funny taught🤗Thank you for your information!

I listen to the whole song and then think about where fills or jazzy embelishments might go. I have a kind of harmony map in my musical mind which helps me decide where to go musically.

Yep As always... remember

if you play Hindi movie songs you would have a million hit in a week...must try to pick sime classic Hindi movie songs...cheers simply love your style

What you said about forcing yourself to play without sheet music is why I prefer, whenever possible, to try to learn by ear rather than use tabs.

Once you know how to play a harmonica, say about 20 songs, you can easily replica the tune you have heard maybe just a while ago. Harmonica playing is just like riding a bicycle or swimming. Once you know, you won't forget. It's second nature.

I have a major problem with the lyrics. I have had too many seizures and bumps to the noggin. The brain meats refuse to do the job right.

I think this episode lost a bit of focus. 🙂