Harmonica Tabs For Beginners (Harmonica Tabs 101)
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- ► Get the tabs and jam tracks to play along with this lesson, go to: www.harmonica.com/how-to-read...
Thank you for watching my lesson Harmonica Tabs 101 which explains how to read harmonica tabs for beginners.
When we start playing, I’m playing a C harmonica for this lesson. Any 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C will work for you to follow along with the songs, Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie (Later sampled in Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice,) Reveille (the wakeup bugle call,) and the first 4 lines of Take Me Home Country Road by John Denver (in Hawaii we love Israel Kamakawiwoole’s version.)
Harmonica Tabs 0:53
Harmonica Tabs for Bending 1:55
Under Pressure 3:52
Reveleil aka the Wakeup Call 5:13
Take Me Home Country Road 8:24
Take Me Home Play-Along 9:21
Bending Pre-Requisites 10:00
Funkin’ Up All the Bends 11:13
Conclusion 12:27
Harmonica tablature is really quite simple:
A number alone indicates which hole to blow
4 means blow hole number 4
1 means blow hole number 1
12 means blow holes number 1 & 2 at the same time (aka double-stop.)
123 means blow holes number 1, 2, & 3 at the same time (aka chord.)
Example: Under Pressure / Ice Ice Baby
4 4 4 44 4 3
4 4 4 4 44 4 3
A minus sign followed by number indicates which hole to draw
-4 means draw on hole number 4
-1 means draw on hole number 1
-12 means draw holes number 1 & 2 at the same time (aka double-stop.)
-123 means draw holes number 1, 2, & 3 at the same time (aka chord.)
Example: Reveille, aka The Wakeup Call
-1 -2 -3 -2 -1 -3 -2 -3 -2 -1 -3 -2 -3 -2 -1 -2 -3 -2
-1 -2 -3 -2 -1 -3 -2 -3 -2 -1 -3 -2 -3 -2 -1 -1 -2
And that’s all you need to know to be able to play beginner songs on the harmonica! Now let’s try the first 4 lines from Take Me Home Country Road.
4 -4 5
5 4 -4
5 -4 4
5 6 -6
To play many songs, especially blues songs, an intermediate and advanced technique called bending is required. Bending is a technique that lowers the pitch of a note.Harmonica tabs indicate bends like this:
An apostrophe after a number indicates a half-step bend.
-3’ indicates a draw 3 bent down a half-step (very common)
-3’’ indicates a draw 3 bent down a whole-step (common)
-3’’’ indicates a draw 3 bent down a step and a half (uncommon)
And likewise for blow bends:
10’ indicates a blow 10 bent down a half-step
10’’ indicates a blow 10 bent down a whole-step
Example: Funkin’ Up All The Bends
-1 -2” -2’ -2 -3” -3’ -3 -4 5 -4 -5 5 -3’ -2
-2 -2’ -2” 2 3 -3’’’ 3 -3’’’ -3 -4’ 5 5 6 -6’6 -6’ -7 6 -6’ 8
-8 -8’ -8 -8 8 -9 9’ -10 -9 9’ -8
7 -8 8’ 8 9 8’ 8 7 10 10” 10’ 9
2 -2” -1 -2 -3’ -9 9 -9 8 9 8 8’ 9 8’ -8
1 -1’ -1 -56 (trill)
-1 -2” -2’ -2 -3” -3’ -3
I hope you enjoyed this free lesson. If you did, please give it the thumbs up and subscribe so you don’t miss any of the new free harmonica lessons. As always, please leave any questions below.
Have fun!!
Luke with Harmonica.com 
Хобби
Hey man, my iPad is currently on 1% so I gotta type this quickly, I just wanna say this helped a ton, so thanks a lot! 👍🏻
LOL. Glad it helped! You are very welcome, my friend.
Hi bro. I like the way you teach the Harmonica. 👍
Did you get it charged?
@@skylershuman7705 no
Bro didn't charge it for 2 years💀
Been facing an emotional trauma and decided to buy this little instrument to help myself heal by learning it. I must say amidst all the tutorials available on RUclips yours is SIMPLY THE BEST! The way you explain with that smile is quite encouraging! Thank you ❤️
Right on! May God able you and heal you my friend. Glad you're liking the tutorials. Hope your harmonica journey continues to be healing and rewarding!
Rock on,
Luke
Is harmonica easy to play ….should i buy one? Pls help
@@aeishakhan792 idk, it's good decor though, I can't do the bending or anything idk how that works, but it should be much easier, I reckon you'll do just fine
Inoy engli veru
Inoy english
Awesome! Small instrument lovely sound! I can't wait to play a little bit, thank you for sharing your knowledge, your time, and your gracious self.
God bless and protect you, and your family.
Aw, thank you so much Miriam. That's so kind of your, and I really appreciate it! Rock on, my harmonica friend.
I am from Brazil, I am happy to see a wonderful class like this. Generosity and love for those who love love the harmonica. Thank you God bless
Aw, right on Nelson. Thank you so much for your kind words, and God bless you as well! Aloha from Hawaii.
This is awesome. I got so excited when I played the country roads tabs with you first try without making a mistake.
Never touch a harmonica in my life but wanted to pick it up. I played trumpet for a few years and love learning instruments. But I became a sailor a few years ago and needed an instrument that was small and portable. So harmonica it is.
Right on! YES, can't beat it for portability. Here's the full Country Roads vid: ruclips.net/video/eYkGqoiHCEA/видео.html
I'm almost 67 years young and just starting out trying to achieve something I've always wanted to do and never got around to doing since listening to Larry Adler and that is, Learn to Play the Harmonica.
I suddenly find myself somewhat isolated with my 5 dogs out in the Bulgarian countryside, dug out my A key Harmonica (I didn't even know what that meant and I have ordered myself a key C.) I've got 2 months to basically annoy the dogs and wildlife with my efforts before my Wife returns and I'd love to be able to impress her with a simple Blues rhythm. This video really hits the spot and goes a long way to translating Notes into Tabs.
Thank you for the precision delivery in a language I can understand.
Right on Robert. If you've got 2 months and some harmonica ambition, you might want to consider Beginner to Boss:
www.harmonica.com/lessons/
Another great lesson, Luke, thank you ->👍 I love how you smile as you talk and take that upbeat expression into the tone of your voice, which creates an uplifting and energizing demeanor/attitude in we students of yours. 👌
You're very welcome. thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it!
Rock on,
Luke
I just got a harmonica 3.8.2022 and have been wanting to learn to play. I've been searching for 'How to" or "Learn to" videos for beginners. I am so happy I cam across your videos! Thank you!🎼🎶😀 Funkin Up All the Bends was GREAT!!!
Right on man! 😄 Glad you dug Funkin up the Bends. 😎🎶
Awesome video, liked and subscribed. I used to play when I was younger but recently acquired a harmonica again. My grandpa used to play, he taught himself but he could play songs and made some of his own up. Now I can finally learn to play like him, and I think of him every time I pick up the harmonica. Thank you so much!
Sweet! Glad to hear it Caleb. AWESOME. Rock on! 😎
My harmonica just went from sounding like a whistle to something slightly musical! Thanks!
RIGHT ON!!
Been watching a few videos on how to play, but overall, I think these are the easiest to learn from. Your tabs method is easy to understand and makes hitting the right notes less of a chore. Thanks!
Right on Jerry ! Glad the vids are helping. Keep me posted how it goes.
Rock on,
Luke
@@Harmonicacom Well, I'm only four days in and already I'm bending notes and I'm almost hitting the single notes without overblowing. I can wah-wah and trill, but what I need to do is learn how to read music and understand the notes on the harp better. But I'll get there. It just takes time, man. 😉
You sir, just taught me how to play harmonica in super simple and easy to follow steps, thank you very much 👏
You're very welcome, Benjamin!
Thank you! I am so impressed with this instrument! Who would think that it sounds so beautiful 🤩. 👍
You're welcome. Yes, such a small instrument but almost limitless possibilities!
Wow man your stuff is really helping me a lot. Your a good teacher, thanks!
Glad to hear it, Jason! Happy to help!
👋from Sidney! I really apreciate you work and your music. I m having lots of fun trying to play along with you .
Awesome! Thank you!
That's a great beginners video, very didactic and useful.
Nice! glad it helped, Henrique!
Dude!!! That “Funkin up the Bends” was so TOTALLY C.O.O.L! Loved that !! And everything else too, but that was fire man! Thanks for the help!
Thanks Gail! Glad the vid was helpful. Rock on. 🔥🤘🏼
(Thank you ) my grandson and I watched your video and we both love your teaching style.
Wow, thank you! How cool. Good grandpa!
If you and/or he are total newbies, I'd recommend starting here:
www.harmonica.com/how-to-play-the-harmonica/
@@Harmonicacom 👍
My family and I absolutely loved it thank you !!!
Oh, Gregory that's so cool. It's a family afaaaaair.....
Rock on,
Luke
Awesome! thank you thank you so much we have a very good teacher. I learn now slowly but I know surely in the future.
Ypur effort to shared us is amazing.
You're very welcome, Teresa. Glad the vids are helping!
Rock on,
Luke
close to playing Lowrider. theme to sanford n son. im 58 always made me smile when heard song. Luke want to thank you for inspiring me more. I was watching According to Jim. Jim Belushi teaching daughter on the show how to play harmonica. Also its great exercise for lungs. Just been having fun with
Aw, that's so cool! Keep on having fun, Paul!
Luke, you are AWESOME. Without fail, everyday I watch your clip in learning how to bend the -4. Trying very hard to get my first bend. Thank you
Thanks Lim. You can do it! So are you watching this video?
ruclips.net/video/moVpn-mBFr8/видео.html
@@Harmonicacom yes. I watch your videos every day. I am your ardent follower. Keep up the good work. Thanks once again Luke. Appreciate it
A small favour Luke, can you please provide full tabs for Take me home country roads on C harmonica? I heard other teacher using A harmonica, ( very high pitch) which is so much different from yours. Thank you Luke
Dont try to hard,relax 😀
My harmonica is eating dust for a long time. After watching your video, It motivates me to play it again. Your teaching method is simple and easy to follow. A lot better than the others. Great job.
That's great! YOU CAN DO IT!!! 😎
That’s amazing, those bends will take a life time!
Lifelong journey, but a fun one for sure!!
holly Molly Tomato Macaroni what a nice intro, I have diatonic and chromatic hamonicas, keys of C. Unfortunately I haven t practice for a while. Thank you for your instructive and interesting video.
Glad you liked it Marius. thanks for the note!
A valuable lesson for me who's beginner. Thanks a lot ❤
Right on Marie!
Respect 🙏 , bro I just love it awesome tutorial just what a dude like me was looking 👌 😍 for. Thanks and congrats 👏 u got yourself a formidable subscriber
Thank you 🙌 Look forward to hearing more from you my friend.
Rock on,
Luke
Your videos are really helpful and informative. Actually I watch your videos repeatedly because I am still a beginner and need to learn harmonica lessons. I planned to buy an easttop t800k harmonica but I ended buying a suzuki bluesmaster and i think that it's a better purchase. Now I both have a yamaha tremolo harmonica and that suzuki bluesmaster. I would just like to say that your videos are a blessing and may God also bless your channel.
And by the way, you sir Luke has a very pleasing appeal in your videos not like the others that they seem like a very serious person.
Hey thanks so much for all of your kind words. Congrats on getting the blues master. You're on the right track. That's the way to learn. REPITITION! Thanks again.
Aloha,
Luke
Un grand MERCI depuis Paris ! I deeply wish you the best !
Right on, Anne! Right back at you. Aloha from Hawaii.
I Jjust wanted to learn playing the piano man... and learned it thanks to you Luke. But now I really love playing the harmonica and practicing everyday after work. Some times while waiting in the traffic jam. One day I'll will play a sad jail blues song while waiting in the traffic jam. 😄
Aw that's so awesome to hear Dwight. If you're getting that into it, you might even wanna consider my Beginner to Boss course. www.harmonica.com/lessons/
I hope you never stop playing in traffic jams! 😎
@@Harmonicacom Yes already thinking about it. In the Netherlands we also have some courses, but it's not the same. So yeah I really consider it
Wow. You're awesome man. Made it very simple and fun for us.
thanks man. glad you like!
Awesome video! Just bought a harmonica yesterday and Wana play guitar it 🤠
Glad you liked the vid. Congrats on the purchase. Rock on!
What a wonderful tutor and personality.
Thanks Aiwu!
Aloha,
Luke
Great to see you back
And fun that you make your tuitions . Peter uk
Hey Peter - thanks for the note! I appreciate it. Rock on.
I'm from Nigeria
I'm grateful for this tutorial, it's helpful.
I'm in need of Diatonic or Chromatic Harmonica to upgrade
I only have and uses a ChenGong Harmonica of 24holes of key C
Glad it was helpful! Yes, a 10 hole Diatonic in the key of C is what you need to follow my lessons.
great beginnersvid. wow the bending what a little instrument can create😍
Right?!? Such a small instrument can do SO MUCH!
Thank you for releasing a new video 🙏🏽
My pleasure!! More to come, Carmine!
Im just learning to band and your info is excellent ty so much
Rock on!
I've been practicing all day! I was so happy to see the signature trucker jacket that I also have. They are hard to find ! I'm wearing the same one to be official
Ha! Right on Jennifer. Rock on my friend. You are official. ;-)
Just bought a harmonica today and know absolutely nothing about how to play. I watched a couple of videos here on youtube that say 'for beginners' but it was actually a little confusing still. Then I found this video a everything was explained so well and I didn't feel completely stupid trying out stuff for the first time. Still have to learn about these 'bends' as I don't really understand them at all but the basic lessons were all I really wanted for now and so grateful for this video.The step by step explanation of the notes and sounds was such a big help for me, so thanks again, and will look forward to checking out the next video here. Have a great day, keep smiling!🎶👍
Hey Kev - right on man! I recommend just working on single notes for awhile before worrying about bends!
@@Harmonicacom Thanks for the advice! Will do👍
Funkin up all the bends is a BEAST!!! 😍❤️🔥
😊 Thanks Eoin! Rock on! 😎
you shine, brother, god bless you!
Hey thank you so much. Blessings right back atcha!
Thankyou so much ,you are just amazing!!!👏🏻🤍
Aw, thanks! You're very welcome.
Thank you guys, I just bought a GM harmonica m5420
But,i'm a beginner .
🌻 From Denpasar Indonesia
Cool. 😎 Have fun!
Lovely tutorial buddy. Love it. Thanks mate
Happy to help Sylvester. Glad you liked it!
Great video!! 😍👏👏👏 I love classical music and opera, could you recommend some easy pieces I can play with a diatonic harmonica (beginner)!😊
I'm really happy to found you randomly thanks a lot!
I'm also happy you you randomly found me. You're very welcome. Glad I could help!
Wow, ur such a good teacher! GREAT!
Thank you! 😃 glad it was helpful.
Aloha,
Luke
Dude. I just started "playing" harmonica and I learned the starwars theme song by ear. My first song ever it took me some time. Brand new instrument. I just watched your intro video and I gotta give you two high fives man🙌 where the hell were you when I was in band back in 7th-10th grade? I graduated 01' you look about my age. Anyway, ya my instructor was good but omg that guy was a ***k. You're 😅 a much better teacher. I look forward to learning all I can from you. Thx brother.
Dude, you figured out Star Wars by ear? You're gonna freaking kick some serious ass on the harmonica, bro! Congratulations. 🤘🏼 Glad the vids are helping.
Just got a harmonica, love this thing!
Woo hoo! Best instrument ever! You might like my free 3 lessons + newsletter here:
www.harmonica.com
this is a great guide, thank you
You're very welcome!
what a great video to learn. Can't wait to try.
Awesome Doug. DO IT! DO IT AND NEVER STOP!! 🤘🏼😎
Love from india, helping a lot👍😁
Yay! So great to hear, Hanuma. Rock on.
This was very helpful. Your awesome! Thank you
You're so welcome! Glad it helped!
I have been posting my progress on my channel since beginning learning to play the harp as well as learning music in general. (DIY) My progression was slow as can be seen, until I discovered your vids (bout month ago) and have gotten 100x better. I will post a vid tonight of where i am skill level wise now from watching your tutorials. Check it out later if you got time. (Im still lightyears from your playing ability, but its moving along nicely now) Cant thank you enough!
Hope all is well my friend! Ttyl
Can you have a tutorial on tongue position (blow, draw, bending, vibrato)?
I havent seen any tutorials that give a detailed description of complete tongue placement while playing.
Also do you do live lessons via vid chat? If so would you charge for a 15-30min session?
Thanks Luke. Useful as always. Good to see you again.
Thanks Philippine! Good to hear from you as well. Rock on!
Ty so much, great simple lesson
You're very welcome, Michael! Rock on.....
Замечательные упражнения🎙
Right on! Glad you liked them.
Apreciei muito seu método didático ! Obrigado (thank you)
Very welcome Antonion!
sorry not EN native :) I bought a Sonny Terry Heritage Edition KEY C and i was like... "OK what do i do with this" and then you appear in my life thanks a lot to bring new blues to the world
Thanks for translating. I love Sonny Terry by the way! I hope you have so much fun and NEVER STOP PLAYING the harmonica!!!! 😎
Yooooo just wanted to say thank you! I was subscribed to funky harp and was wondering, where'd Luke go? Good to have you back! Haha
Oh right on Chet! Thanks for finding me over here. Yeah, I been working with Harmonica.com for 3 years now. They've helped me level up everything a ton. Rock on, bro.
Great Teaching, thank you man!! haha
Glad you liked it, Igor!
Luke I am getting ready to take your full course I talked to Jason the other day can not wait to start I bought a Less Oskar C I am a beginner thanks for your tijme
Fantastic, Chuck! Jason is the best. I hope you love your Lee Oskar. Looking forward to seeing you around. Rock on.
Very helpful to me thank you!
Glad it helped. You're welcome!
Between these videos and the lessons from the website, if Luke isn't this chill IRL, I'm flipping tables.
Ok, this literally made me laugh out loud. Good one!
@@Harmonicacom For real though I just got done watching the music theory portion before picking back up on m2 L16 and have learned an insane amount, precisely because your presentation is so chill and positive.
I've been singing for 30-ish years, but because I most likely have had ADD forever, all the things like theory and chords (and reading notes) have been really tough to pick up. Your presentation and attitude helped me understand stuff numerous music teachers and directors couldn't.
So a legitimate thank you, Luke.
Yay. Found someone to teach me the harmonica!!!
YAY! Here I am. 😉
Thanks a lot man, I have a new harmonica and we'll I didn't knew only the blues but thanks man!!
Congrats on the new harp! You're very welcome. Rock on.
Thanks man 👌👌🎵🎶
Bending is hard, but very amazing.
Sou brasileiro de 57 anos, estou aprendendo a tocar gaita através de vídeos e até o momento a sua didática ao explicar foi a melhor . Obrigado! 👏👏👏🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Awesome, meu irmão. Obrigado!
Wow. I mean. Out of all the videos... Thank you. I pivk d one up for 5 bucks at the store. I love the blues and it seemed liked a challenge. Thanks for your help. You should have challenges for your subscribers to see there progress. :)
Cool. You're very welcome. Glad I could help!
Congrats on your purchase. The #1 most important fundamental at the beginning is the Deep Relaxed Mouth Position:
www.harmonica.com/how-to-play-the-harmonica/
Rock on,
Luke
Luke is back! hell yeah!
Aw, right on. Yessir! Much more coming soon!
GREAT info / demo. Thanks !
Will practice in canyon at my tipi camp, W. Colo. Been trying for awhile .
Mtn Mel, Ret USN SERE / VN .
Best instrument for that for sure!! 🙌🏼
Love it . Thank you
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much. Awesome
You are very welcome, my friend. Glad you like.
9:21 is the time stamp that I was looking for.
OK. Cool. I added it to the info section. Thanks for mentioning that.
Thank you for this 🙏
You're very welcome, Darren!
i mangened to play country roads, this is great lol :D
WOO HOO!!! CONGRATS!! 🙌🏼
hi man im a nooby and just started and tryid so many othirs but you help me alot thank you and defenetly going to watch and lern from you and sorry for the english im still lerning that too 😁
Your English is great. Hope you have so much fun with harmonica and never quit!!!
@@Harmonicacom i wont 😁😁
Thank you excellent teach
Right on! Glad you liked it....
Rock on,
Luke
great teaching style thx
Glad it helped, Robert! Rock on! 😎
So much encouraging video
Right on! Glad you like it!
Thanks I got it at last take me home!
Great job!
Oh my god I feel like I have harmonica just blew my mouth 😂 I love this tutorial
Thank you so
Much brother
Most welcome bro!
Really talented guy....TA TA..!!!
Thank you for your kind words!
Aloha,
Luke
Awesome bend song!
👊🏼😎
Thank you for the lessons. Can you do Jeremiah was a Bullfrog by the Hollies..?
😊
Thank You!
You're welcome! Aloha from Hawaii.
Thank you. You are adorable and talented
Thank you Helen! 😊
Wow ! Great.
Thank you! Cheers!
Your teaching style is awesome. Love from India...
Please suggest me diatonic hermonica for beginner.
Aw, thanks so much Kumar! Love from Hawaii. Here's my suggestions on which harp to buy: www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/
Amazing 💕💕💕
Glad it helped Butter Fly!
First lesson and can already do the first four lines of country road 😎🙏👍
Wow, Nathan!! That's fantastic. Keep up the great work. Congrats!
Thank you men ❤️👍🏻
You're welcome, Farhan. 😊
Rock on,
Luke
Thanks.
.nice me starting off.😅
Thanks so much
You're welcome!
Get my harmonica today basic... im gonna try ... wish me luck...
Good luck Jenna. You got this!
Great!Tks!
My pleasure, Amelia! Rock on.
As a total beginner playing the mouth organ like you just did makes me want to not bother!
Don't say that Sarah! You got this! 👊🏼
So... Now that i saw you bending 3 hole. I just noticed im already bending 😃.
I thought i had to make more difference on each step. But not... Mine sound similar to yours... Ofc in a beginner lvl. And yours professional lvl... But i got it all this time! 😂
Thank you!!!
You're welcome!