Beginner Harmonica Lesson 1 - Breathing and Tone

Liam Ward
Feb 10, 2021
3 min read

Updated: May 28

Hello and welcome to a new series of harmonica lessons for beginners. In lesson 1 we'll be looking at breathing and tone. I'm using a key of C diatonic harmonica (e.g. Hohner Special 20). I hope you enjoy the lesson!

Need to buy a C harmonica? Click this Amazon link (I receive a small commission if you buy through this link)

If you enjoy this lesson, why not enroll on my Complete Beginners Course?

When you're starting out on harmonica, it's easy to get caught up in the notes, the tabs, and the songs - but if there’s one fundamental skill that will shape your playing more than any other, it’s breathing.

Yes, breathing.

You might think you know how to breathe. And I'm sure you do! But remember, the harmonica is played entirely through breath. So it's really important to adapt your breath technique to maximise your potential, make playing easier and learning faster.

Learning to control your breath is even more important than knowing where to place your mouth or how to read a tab.

Why Breathing Technique Matters

On a basic level, breath powers your sound. But it also affects:

Tone – Shallow or tense breathing leads to weak, thin tone. Deep, relaxed breathing produces fuller, warmer notes.
Rhythm – Good breath control helps you stay in time. It’s easier to groove when you’re not gasping for air.
Endurance – The better your breathing technique, the longer you can play without fatigue.
Expression – With better breath control, you can shape notes more expressively - adding swells, fades, and dynamic shifts.

In short, breathing is the engine behind everything else.

Step 1: Breathe from the Belly

The number one habit to build is diaphragmatic (or belly) breathing, rather than shallow chest breathing. Try this:

Sit or stand up straight.
Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest.
Take a slow, deep breath through your nose.
Focus on expanding your belly, not your chest.

Your stomach should rise and fall more than your chest. This type of breathing uses the diaphragm, the muscle that gives you greater control and volume.

Do this for a few minutes a day — with or without your harmonica — to train your body to breathe this way naturally.

Step 2: Relax

Harmonica requires both drawing (inhaling) and blowing (exhaling) through the instrument. It’s easy to get tense and tight, especially when drawing. But tension kills tone and limits stamina.

Here’s a simple exercise:

Hold the harmonica gently to your mouth (start around holes 4–6).
Inhale slowly and naturally through the harmonica - don't use any force.
Exhale in the same relaxed way — like gently blowing to fog up a window.

The key word is gently. Don’t force it. You’re not trying to blow out candles or suck a smoothie through a thick straw — you're just letting air flow.

Step 3: Don’t Overfill

A common beginner mistake is over-breathing — especially on draw-heavy riffs. You inhale more than you need, then suddenly feel dizzy, tense, or full of air with nowhere to put it.

Remember: small, steady breaths are usually all you need. And if a phrase is draw-heavy, balance it with a few blow notes, or pause to exhale gently through your nose without stopping the music.

Pro Tip: Practice Without the Harmonica

It may sound strange, but some of the best breath control practice happens off the harmonica. All of the above can be practised without a harmonica. Great if you need to be silent or don't have a harp handy! The more natural and effortless your breathing becomes, the more freedom you’ll have when you pick up your harmonica.

Just a few minutes a day of mindful breathing will transform your tone, stamina, and confidence.

Thanks for taking this lesson. I hope you enjoyed it. Best of luck with your breathing!