Harmonicas, also known as French harps, are popular in various music genres such as blues, jazz, classical, country, rock, and pop. They may not be the first instrument you think of, but they’re great to pick up and play – and there are lots of songs out there that you might not have even realised utilise the harmonica!
Developed in the 1820s, they’re affordable, portable, and easy to learn. Plus, they can be upgraded with more tone holes as you progress.
In this article, we take a look at easy harmonica songs for beginners, giving you a great starting point if you’re learning the instrument and looking for some ideas for expanding your repertoire. These aren’t songs covered by the harmonica, but rather, songs that were originally written for the harmonica – making them much more authentic!
In a hurry?
What are the absolute best harmonica songs for beginners? Here are our top three:
“Love Me Do” by The Beatles
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel
“Mr Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan
Our tips for learning the harmonica
Learning the harmonica involves mastering a few essential techniques. These techniques will significantly enhance your musical expression and control.
One crucial skill is breath control, which is not only about drawing and blowing air but managing it efficiently to maintain tone and volume consistency. Good breath control prevents fatigue and allows for prolonged playing sessions, making it fundamental for beginners and seasoned players alike.
It’s also important to practise your control over the notes in the middle register as this range ensures that you can play most songs with ease. It requires precise mouth positioning and mastery over your breath to achieve clear and accurate notes.
Additionally, articulation is key, especially when repeating notes. Techniques such as ‘tongue blocking’ and ‘lip pursing’ help articulate notes distinctly, allowing for dynamic and rhythmic variations.
As you practise your easy harmonica songs, it’s good to keep these techniques in mind. You’ll enhance your skill set, improve your musicality, and learn the songs quickly!
Why we’ve chosen these songs
We’ve chosen these songs as they provide a great starting point for budding harmonica players looking to learn the instrument.
Some incorporate a good number of techniques that will develop your playing ability, making them educational as well as fun to play. Plus, they were all originally written for harmonica.
Easy harmonica songs for beginners
1. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
“Love Me Do” by The Beatles is perfect for beginner harmonica players thanks to its simple and catchy melody that makes it easy to learn. You’ll need a diatonic harmonica in the key of C, focusing on single notes for clarity and precision. The song revolves around a few notes, primarily using the 4th and 5th holes.
The repetition of the harmonica part provides ample practice, reinforcing skills and building confidence. Additionally, it helps develop good breathing habits and rhythm. If you’re a complete novice and want to lay a solid foundation for your skill, “Love Me Do” is a great option.
2. ”Piano Man” by Billy Joel
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel is simple, memorable, and melodic – making it very enjoyable to play. You’ll need a diatonic harmonica in the key of C, focusing on the 6th, 7th, and 8th holes. The slow pace allows you to practise clean, single notes and smooth transitions, enhancing breath control and technique.
The repetition provides ample practice, meaning it reinforces your skills without getting boring.
3. ”Mr Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan
An iconic harmonica song is Bob Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man”. For this one, focus on the 4th to 7th holes, using simple blow and draw patterns. The slow, repetitive melody allows you to practise clean, single notes and smooth transitions, helping to develop good breath control, timing, and rhythm.
4.‘’Long Train Runnin'” by The Doobie Brothers
“Long Train Runnin'” by The Doobie Brothers has a steady rhythm and memorable riffs, making it a great one to learn. To play this song focus on the 4th, 5th, and 6th holes, and practise bending notes for a bluesy feel.
The song’s straightforward melodies and simple riffs repeat throughout, allowing you to hone your technique. It’s a good one for building a solid foundation while challenging you to develop new skills.
5. “The Wizard” by Black Sabbath
The harmonica in Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard”, played by Ozzy Osbourne, features techniques like note bending, hand modulation, and rhythmic consistency. To play it, focus on bending notes for expressiveness, using hand techniques for sound modulation, and maintaining a steady rhythm. Fundamentally, however, this is a great song for practising your breath control and timing.
The catchy riffs might be challenging, but they’re great for boosting your skills in blues and rock harmonica playing. If you want to learn “The Wizard” in true Black Sabbath style, Ozzy Osbourne has collaborated with Hohner to produce a signature harmonica.
6. “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young
“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young has a simple, memorable melody that makes it a great starting point. The song primarily uses the middle register, focusing on the 4th to 6th holes, and should be played on the diatonic harmonica in the key of G.
One of the most beneficial things about this song is its slow pace. Beginners should always start slowly, whatever they’re playing, so this Neil Young classic lets you focus on all those basic techniques, such as clean notes and easy blow and draw patterns, without feeling like you need to speed up.
7. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson is a fantastic song with a cheerful melody and simple structure that makes it accessible and enjoyable. It’s based in the middle register, and you should focus on the 4th to 7th holes.
The moderate tempo allows you to practise note clarity and breath control, and the repetitive melody reinforces these skills.
8. ”There Must Be an Angel” by Eurythmics
If you’re after a straightforward melody that develops precise playing, “There Must Be an Angel” is perfect. It’s an uplifting song with a clear structure, played in the key of C and focused on the 4th to 7th holes.
9. “Roadhouse Blues” by The Doors
“Roadhouse Blues” by The Doors has a driving blues rhythm and clear structure that make it engaging and accessible. For this one, you’ll need a diatonic harmonica in the key of A.
The song primarily uses the middle register and will develop your draw and blow bends, adding a bluesy feel. The steady tempo allows for focused practice on note clarity and rhythm, whilst repetitive riffs help hone these skills, making “Roadhouse Blues” perfect for building a strong foundation in harmonica playing.
10. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
Another classic, “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King has a moderate tempo that enables you to really work on your breath control and sounding those notes as clearly as possible.
If you want a well-known song that everyone can sing along to, this is a great one to learn.
11. ”I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan
The harmonica solo in Chaka Khan’s “I Feel for You,” played by Stevie Wonder, showcases techniques like note bending, smooth transitions, and expressive phrasing.
This solo is ideal for beginners as it introduces fundamental techniques while being enjoyable to learn.
Our harmonica recommendations
Chromatic Harmonica by Gear4music
The Gear4music Chromatic Harmonica is the perfect starting point for beginners who want to explore diverse musical genres like rock, jazz, blues, and folk.
Featuring a 10-hole steel design in the key of C, this instrument also has an easy-to-use sliding bar, allowing you to alter notes smoothly and add expression to your performances without any mechanical noise.
It’s designed for convenience with a lightweight yet durable steel build and compact size. Plus, a protective carry case and cleaning cloth are included.
Not only is the Chromatic Harmonica by Gear4music accessible in price, but it also promises sound quality that competes with much more expensive models. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to begin their musical journey with a reliable and versatile instrument.
Hohner Progressive Special 20 Harmonica, C
The Hohner Progressive Special 20 Harmonica in the key of C boasts recessed reed plates, which ensure the metal does not contact the lips directly, making for a more comfortable playing experience. This design also offers a smoother glide when shifting between notes.
Constructed with an ABS comb, the Special 20 is resistant to temperature changes and humidity, promising durability and consistent performance without the risk of swelling or cracking.
It’s also designed to make note bending easier – a crucial skill for beginners to learn. And it delivers a warm, mellow tone, so it’s suitable for those who may find other harmonicas too bright.
This harmonica comes with a sturdy case, ensuring it’s well-protected during transport and storage.
Seydel 1847 Session Steel Blues Harmonica, C Summer Edition 2024
The Seydel 1847 Session Steel Blues Harmonica combines a durable build with ergonomic comfort, making it an excellent choice for beginners. With corrosion-resistant stainless steel reeds, it has a long lifespan and can perform well under varied conditions. Even better, the rounded cover plates are specifically designed to be comfortable and reduce fatigue during long playing sessions.
With a Shoreline Gold ABS comb and German Silver reed plates, this instrument looks striking and provides exceptional sound clarity and responsiveness. It is engineered to minimise air consumption, meaning it helps you produce sound with less effort.
The leather pouch included provides a stylish and practical way to protect and transport the harmonica.
Seydel Volcany Harmonica, Orchestra Tuning
For something more high-end, check out the Seydel Volcany Harmonica. It’s crafted for optimal performance and longevity, making it a great choice for more advanced players. One of its key features is the precision-milled construction that ensures an airtight seal for superior sound quality and easy playability.
The harmonica has a durable solid brass build – you can tell by just the weight of it that it’s a high-quality instrument. Thanks to its smooth slide mechanism, the harmonica transitions between notes effortlessly, and the nickel-silver reed plate offers excellent airflow, which is crucial for producing clear and consistent tones.
Additionally, the orchestral tuning of this model, which offers a slightly lower range than typical harmonicas, is great for playing along with orchestral music or exploring a broader range of musical styles.
FAQs
Can the harmonica be self-taught?
The harmonica can be self-taught; YouTube videos and online resources are a fantastic way of learning the instrument. In fact, many harmonica players have taught themselves. It’s a portable instrument that’s easy to pick up and play wherever and whenever.
What should I learn first on harmonica?
Here are the three things you should learn first on the harmonica:
- Positioning – learning mouth positioning is key to getting a good sound from a harmonica
- Single notes and lip-blocking – playing single and clean notes is important for your playing, techniques such as lip and tongue blocking will help you to get clean notes
- How to bend notes – bending notes is a classic harmonica technique and probably the sound you associate most with harmonics
Is the harmonica good for a beginner?
Harmonicas are great for beginners; they’re easy to pick up and play and there are plenty of online resources to help you learn. If you’re a beginner, opt for a standard 10-hole harmonica in a diatonic scale. This is much easier to use than a chromatic harmonica, although a chromatic harmonica is something you can progress to.
Final thoughts
The harmonica is a great instrument to learn and can be a nice accompaniment to any band. If you want to pick up the harmonica for the first time, we hope our list of easy harmonica songs for beginners has inspired you!
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