Top 10 mistakes that beginner harmonica players make

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Hello! In this harmonica video, I'll be running through what I believe are the all-time top 10 mistakes made by beginner harmonica players.
Here's my Complete Beginners Course - www.learntheharmonica.com/the...
Timestamps:
00:39 - Trusting music stores
02:02 - Thinking the 2 draw is broken
02:43 - Breathing too hard
03:46 - Looking at the harmonica
05:07 - Switching harmonica too often
06:03 - Ignoring timing
07:01 - Tensing up
08:05 - Bending too soon
09:02 - Underestimating the instrument
09:45 - Being impatient
I referenced some other lessons and promised to give you some links, so here they are:
'How to play a proper 2 draw' - • Harmonica 2 draw probl...
'How to breathe on harmonica' - • How to Breathe on Harm...
'What is the perfect harmonica for beginners? - • What's the Best Harmon...
'What is deliberate practice?' - • What it takes to be a ...
Get the t-shirt: learntheharmonica-merch-store...
Want to hire me to play on your next album or recording? www.liamwardmusic.com/session...

Пікірлер: 63

  • @Learntheharmonica
    @Learntheharmonica2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup

  • @havidztoo7979
    @havidztoo79793 жыл бұрын

    You’re absolutely right about the 2 draw….. really struggle with it and was concerned it was stuck or not working….how weird…thank you

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome 😎

  • @astone612
    @astone6123 жыл бұрын

    Wenn I got my First Harmonica the shopkeeper persistently tried to sell me a tremolo harmonica, even though I requested a 10 hole diatonic. Thank God I watched too many videos about what harmonica to get that day!

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    Haha, it happens so often - it's criminal!

  • @dolphy1harp
    @dolphy1harp10 ай бұрын

    So true! I have my c harp now 3 years. I am still a beginner. Because of impatience and lack of focus. But I have learned a few things, like paying single notes, chugging, keep time with the metronome, some improvising. But I cannot play by heart, I need the tab sheet. I cannot bend. I am now in Tomlin school.😊

  • @danlaxer514
    @danlaxer5143 жыл бұрын

    I love this video. I've been playing for nearly two years, and I think my biggest mistakes are still looking at the harp; Howard Levy pointed out that the harmonica is the only instrument that's invisible to the player, so I try always be conscious of what hole I'm on to train my ear better. And being impatient, which has always been my downfall - if I'm having trouble with a certain song or lick or scale I throw my hands up and say "To heck with it!" LOL.

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes I think we can all empathise with those two, Dan! Good luck in 2021 :)

  • @Gaf-super-8-music554

    @Gaf-super-8-music554

    2 жыл бұрын

    My harmonica doesn't have any numbers🙂

  • @360NoScopedMyDogEz

    @360NoScopedMyDogEz

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Gaf-super-8-music554 me too lol

  • @jan4946
    @jan4946 Жыл бұрын

    Just took apart, inspected the 2-draw reed/spring and put it back together. Stumbled over tip 9 in this video. Good to know the harp is not the problem :) After Tip 8 I noticed that I need to lure the 2-draw and the 1-draw out, as they need longer to activate than the other draws. And breathing in too hard just makes them sound iffy.

  • @ronsbeerreviewstools4361
    @ronsbeerreviewstools43613 жыл бұрын

    Very informative information.

  • @dovlandzbaum5036
    @dovlandzbaum50363 жыл бұрын

    Well done, Liam! Great advice, as usual!

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @mikelvaz6110
    @mikelvaz61103 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Liam...well done!!

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @dhelders
    @dhelders Жыл бұрын

    Great! Thanks

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    Жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @steinernder1684
    @steinernder16842 жыл бұрын

    2:04 what was exactly why I searched for a video like this lol

  • @burntchickennugget8142
    @burntchickennugget81422 жыл бұрын

    Wow, some great tops my man, that one about 3 draw got me good, i actually thought it was super broken Great video

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, and good luck to you! 😎

  • @grahamread7518
    @grahamread75183 жыл бұрын

    Not having a regular practice time or program.

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes very true Graham. I've been guilty of this myself over the years.

  • @joerizkallah4479
    @joerizkallah44793 жыл бұрын

    Amazing I still struggle with bending notes But hopefully i’ll be able to do it one day

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    You'll get it in the end Joe. Good luck!

  • @nichaloswaddington6130
    @nichaloswaddington61303 жыл бұрын

    I agree with no.10 first harmonica they tried to sell me a Hohner stand by told me it’s the best they offer . They had marinebands and sp 20 on there shelf’s and told me this

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    Haha yes you weren't the first and you won't be the last!

  • @falansfilans100
    @falansfilans1002 жыл бұрын

    thanks

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @Percibalcoloma
    @Percibalcoloma3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing ..😊 i just want to know about the harmonica and how to play it with the nice sound..thank you sir for sharing..

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome :)

  • @finazahra287
    @finazahra2872 жыл бұрын

    I love your shirt! excellent video too 😁

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 😁 I sell the t-shirts at learntheharmonica-merch-store.creator-spring.com/listing/warning-not-a-toy?product=389

  • @bluebow68
    @bluebow682 жыл бұрын

    Hi,thank you so much for this informative vid...Think I might give the Tin Sandwich a go!

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    Do it! 🤣

  • @themarquee1497
    @themarquee1497 Жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure if this is a "mistake" per se, but I find maintaining a good posture to be very distracting. I typically start off sitting upright with the harp held with the full length of the left thumb, index and middle fingers, but after thirty minutes, I'm laying on my back, delicately pinching on each side with thumb and index fingers as though I'm eating a sandwich, just trying to focus on getting a good single note.

  • @pkn358
    @pkn3583 жыл бұрын

    Can i have a heart, I really enjoy learning with your channel

  • @janfrombelgium5410
    @janfrombelgium541011 ай бұрын

    Hey, I bought my very first harmonica today... When I got home I looked on KZread and found your videos = interesting for sure! Now, when I bought it I told the guy in the store that I loved County, Rock & Roll, Blues, Rockabilly, folk and gospel. And of course that I was new to harmonica. He sold me a Hohner (no surprise I guess) it more specifically is a Hohner Marine Band. Do you think this was a good choice? Thanks in advance and greetings from Belgium!

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    11 ай бұрын

    Yes Marine Band is a good instrument. For me, the wood swells and cracks so I prefer a plastic comb, but hopefully you won't have that problem. MB is a very popular instrument and I hope you like it!

  • @janfrombelgium5410

    @janfrombelgium5410

    11 ай бұрын

    @@Learntheharmonica Thanks for the reply! And yes I do like it a lot, but of course I can't compare it with anything yet 🙄😁🙃 Is there any other Hohner you would advise for those genres AND as a beginner?...

  • @natehawkins8732
    @natehawkins87322 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Awesome advice! I just started learning the harmonica, and I have a question. When I tongue a note on the harmonica, where do I need to tongue like the back of my teeth, the actual hole of the harp? (Ex. a saxophonist tongues the reed)

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Nate - if you're tongue blocking, the tongue going directly on the harmonica comb itself. I have lessons on tongue blocking, starting with this one: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dYmArbSfl7WoiNY.html

  • @lisadistler8406
    @lisadistler84062 жыл бұрын

    Hi Ian, my problem is 7,8,9 draws and blows. I can’t seem to find a way to get the higher notes come out. This 10 biggest mistakes might help though, as I now see that I’m blowing too hard and hyperventilating (almost) especially on those higher notes. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us all !

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    You’re welcome Lisa, thanks for watching! I have a video about those high notes… kzread.info/dash/bejne/haWKlrhxdMXLobw.html

  • @Gfaqwoody71
    @Gfaqwoody713 жыл бұрын

    Heh tought my 2 draw was broken so i bought a new one luckily tough its still boxxed since i figgured i use the old one for breathing exercise/first tunes Also can anyone do the DOOM 2 text screen? Just curious

  • @Gfaqwoody71
    @Gfaqwoody713 жыл бұрын

    Mmmhhh still iffy on the 2 draw its not stuttering just reeeaal soft compared to its neighbours good vid tough i was tempted to try bending seeing as missing notes is anoying Thanks

  • @chrissharratt4615
    @chrissharratt4615 Жыл бұрын

    Hi,as a beginner I am using Hohner blues harps,,are these ok. And what is the difference between these and the marine band cheers.

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Chris, yes Blues Harps are OK. Marine Bands have a wooden comb which some believe makes them sound richer, but it's really down to personal preference.

  • @thetwoinitiative-t2i47
    @thetwoinitiative-t2i472 жыл бұрын

    Am still a beginner though hard the harmonica for years yet never paid much attention to it until now. Just today I thought the instrument was defective but it was a one brow... What should consider to get a good diatonic harmonica online?

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    2 жыл бұрын

    I recommend a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C for beginners 😎

  • @lovekrav
    @lovekrav Жыл бұрын

    When you mention 2 draw do you mean drawing hole #2 or on two holes at the same time?

  • @Learntheharmonica

    @Learntheharmonica

    Жыл бұрын

    2 draw means breathing in on hole number 2. Hope this helps!

  • @funkedouted
    @funkedouted3 жыл бұрын

    Yep timing, I must buy a metronome for practice.

  • @Gaf-super-8-music554
    @Gaf-super-8-music5542 жыл бұрын

    My harmonica was a 3 dollar one. I HAD to change it😔

  • @philasselstine7816
    @philasselstine7816 Жыл бұрын

    Ur link not working for complete beginners corse

  • @KerinGedge
    @KerinGedge3 жыл бұрын

    Mate, you forgot mistake number 11 - "not subscribing to learntheharmonica.com" :p

  • @savvysavannah1529
    @savvysavannah15292 жыл бұрын

    As a blind girl, I can guarantee you the one mistake I WON't make is looking at the instrument... LOL.

  • @Learntheharmonica
    @Learntheharmonica3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! Remember to ‘Subscribe’ and click the bell to get all my free lessons: bit.do/subscribe-learntheharp

  • @billychan4633
    @billychan4633 Жыл бұрын

  • @jerrycohencohen8901
    @jerrycohencohen89012 жыл бұрын

    You found my mistakes.

  • @sepultura7771
    @sepultura77713 жыл бұрын

    I usually like your videos very much, but I strongly disagree with number six about changing your harmonica.I would actually go the opposite way and tell new players to try out as many harmonicas as they can get their hands on, as each one offers a different perspective and sound, I understand the point you were making about work on technique and doing always blame it on the harmonica, but at the same time, each brand harmonica and even key can be very different , inspiring and even enlightening in it’s own way. So trying out as many as possible is an eye opening experience And you’re realizing different levels of brightness and mellow ness , different sounds and playability, Etc etc