HARPCORE

INTRODUCTION
Let`s start by saying that this blog is never going to turn you into a Marion “Little Walter” Jacobs (In my opinion the coolest and the greatest blues harp player who ever lived) or Stevie Wonders-that`s not how it works. But I will give you an introduction to the basics of playing harmonica and a lots of tablature to play on.

A harmonica is a small musical instrument that you play by blowing into the hole or multiple hole and moving it side to side. Once it considered as a child`s toy, but now it`s the favourite instrument of a range of virtuoso (someone who is a very skillful performer, especially in music) players in all kinds of music styles, ranging from blues, American folk music, jazz, classical music, country music, rock and roll, and pop music.

Great Fact I:

President Abraham Lincoln carried a harmonica in his pocket, and harmonicas provided solace to soldiers on both the Union and Confederate sides of the American Civil War.

(from Wikipedia)

Great Fact II:

Frontiersmen Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid played the instrument, and it became a fixture of the American musical landscape.

(from Wikipedia)

Great Fact III:

“Playing” the harmonica requires inhaling and exhaling strongly against resistance. This action helps develop a strong diaphragm and deep breathing using the entire lung volume. Pulmonary specialists have noted that playing the harmonica resembles the kind of exercise used to rehabilitate COPD patients such as using a PFLEX inspiratory muscle trainer or the inspiratory spirometer. Learning to play a musical instrument also offers motivation in addition to the exercise component. Many pulmonary rehabilitation programs therefore have begun to incorporate the harmonica. (from Wikipedia)

But in my opinion the great thing about the harmonica is;
1. Musical instrument that fits easily into your pocket, you can pick up and play anytime and anywhere, mobile stuff besides your cell phone (^_^*) Ich erzahle dir die Wahrheit
2. It`s easy to get started (the basic part) and learned.
3. You can play solo or with other people , either accompanying other musical instrument.

There are many types of harmonicas; Diatonic, Chromatic, Tremolo, Orchestral, each used for its own specific sound and can be played in many keys and many types of music.
But only diatonic and chromatic harmonica are recommended for the instruction on this blog.

DIATONIC HARMONICA

The diatonic is mostly used for blues and folk.This is the most popular type of harmonica. Diatonic basically designed for playing in only one key. You can get them tuned to any key , although the most popular tend to be in C. You can easily get by with just a C and a G diatonic harmonica if you are not going to be playing with a band. The diatonic harmonica only allows you to play the notes in its own key but many of the notes that are not naturally found can be acquired by bending certain draw (inhale) and blow (exhale) notes (I`ll come to that later).
The harmonica (the 10 hole diatonic harmonica) has other aternate names, especially in blues music, including:
Harp
Blues Harp
Short Harp
French Harp
Mouth Harp
Hand Reed
Mississippi Saxophone
Pocket Sax
Tin Sandwich
Ten-Holed Tin-can Tongue Twister

CHROMATIC HARMONICA

The chromatic is mostly used for jazz, classical and pop music. Chromatic harmonica looks much the same as diatonic harmonica, but chromatic harmonica has a button on the side which allows you to play the normal major scale, and with the button depressed, gives you all the half steps or notes in between.

LET`S BEGIN

Here you go \(^o\) (/o^)/ Bitte Sehr
Enough of the introduction. Each links will include helpful tips and how to playing your harmonica (Basic Stuff)

1. Which Harmonica To Buy
2. How To Play Harmonica (Coming Soon)
3. How To Hold Harmonica And Add Hand Effect (Coming Soon)
4. How To Play One Clean And Clear Single Note (Coming Soon)
5. How To Bend A Note On Harmonica (Coming Soon)
6. Harmonica Care And Maintenance