Beginner Harmonica Lesson 3 - Clean Single Notes
- Liam Ward
- Feb 24, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Hello and welcome to this series of harmonica lessons for beginners. In lesson 3 we'll be looking at playing single notes. We'll try three popular methods: lip pursing, tongue blocking and U blocking. I'm using a C diatonic harmonica (e.g. Hohner Special 20). I hope you enjoy the lesson!
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Playing single notes is essential for melodies, riffs, and expressive techniques like bending. There are three main methods to achieve clean notes. Here are my beginner-friendly methods for each:
Lip Pursing
What it is: A straightforward technique where you narrow your lips to isolate a single hole.
How to do it:
Push your lips forwards while keeping your mouth narrow.
Place the harmonica gently into your mouth, covering just one hole.
Ensure your lips form a tight seal around the hole to prevent air leakage.
Pros: Easy to learn and ideal for beginners.
Cons: Limits advanced techniques like tongue slaps or octave playing.
Tongue Blocking
What it is: A versatile technique where your tongue blocks multiple holes, allowing a single note to sound.
How to do it:
Place your mouth over 3–4 holes on the harmonica.
Use your tongue to block all but one hole (typically the rightmost).
Air flows through the unblocked hole, producing a single note.
Pros: Enables advanced techniques like tongue slaps, octaves, and chordal effects.
Cons: Requires more practice to master.
U-Blocking
What it is: A method where you curl your tongue into a "U" shape to channel air into a single hole.
How to do it:
Form a "U" shape with your tongue.
Place the harmonica in your mouth so that the "U" channels air into the desired hole.
Pros: Can help with precise note targeting.
Cons: Less intuitive and impossible for some players.
Which Method Should You Choose?
Lip Pursing: Great for beginners focusing on melodies.
Tongue Blocking: Ideal for blues and rhythmic styles; worth learning as you progress.
U-Blocking: Useful if it feels natural.
Experiment with each technique to see which feels most comfortable and suits your musical goals.
For a visual demonstration of these techniques, check out the video above.
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