Harmonica Chugging Lesson: Easy Train Rhythms for Beginners

Liam Ward
6 hours ago
4 min read

Hello! In today's free harmonica lesson we will look at some beginner chugging patterns.

If you want to add a classic blues or country feel to your harmonica playing, learning harmonica chugging is a great place to start. This technique mimics the rhythmic sound of a train chugging down the tracks, giving your music a driving pulse that’s both catchy and fun. For beginners, mastering simple train rhythms with clear breathing patterns can open the door to more expressive blues harp playing.

This post breaks down an easy-to-follow breathing pattern to help you get started with harmonica chugging. Read on for your top tips or, if you'd like to watch the video version of this lesson, you can do so here:

In the lesson I use Hohner Special 20 harmonicas in the keys of C and G. You can buy these harmonicas via the links below. If you do, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Hohner Special 20, key of C - https://amzn.to/47I7vDN

Hohner Special 20, key of G - https://amzn.to/3Z55kH4

What are Harmonica Chugging and Train Rhythms?

Harmonica chugging is a rhythmic technique that uses breath control to create rhythms. It's also a gateway to the similar technique of train imitations: pretending to be a steam train rolling down the tracks. These techniques are used in blues, country and other styles of music to add momentum and groove. The key to chugging lies in alternating between blowing and drawing air through specific holes on the harmonica, creating a steady, percussive rhythm.

The most common harmonica chugging patterns involve playing holes 1, 2 and 3 together in a sequence of draw and blow breaths.

The Basic Harmonica Chugging Pattern

To start off, here is an essential breathing pattern to practise for harmonica chugging. The minus sign (-) indicates a draw (inhale), while numbers without a sign indicate blow (exhale):

-123

123

[repeat]

Simply breathe in and out on holes 1-3, trying to keep to a steady beat to make it musical.

Start slowly by breathing in on holes 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously to get a chord sound.
Reverse the breath direction by blowing on holes 1, 2, and 3.
Repeat this sequence steadily, focusing on smooth transitions between inhale and exhale.

Adding Articulation to Your Chugging Pattern

Once you feel comfortable, try adding the vocalised syllables “ah-dah” on both the draw notes and blow notes. This adds a percussive effect. You are still doing the same amount of breaths, and you should keep control over your airflow. The only addition is a flick of the tongue to create an articulation for each breath.

Adding Swing to Your Chugging Pattern

Swinging the rhythm means playing the notes with a slight delay on the second note, creating a bouncy, uneven feel. This is common in blues and jazz styles and adds more character to your chugging.

To practice, play the draw notes slightly longer, then quickly follow with the blow notes in a shorter, connected rhythm.

This creates the classic train rhythm with a swinging groove that feels alive and dynamic.

Track-level view of a steam train, in black and white. — A traditional steam train

Adding a Whistle to Your Train Imitation

Once you’ve got a simple rhythm going on the harmonica – that classic chug-chug, chug-chug built from alternating breaths – you can bring the whole thing to life by adding train whistle effects. These whistle sounds give your rhythm a sense of movement and personality, just like a steam engine calling out as it rolls across the tracks.

The train whistle is made by playing two draw notes together, either on:

Holes -3 and -4 (written as -34)
Holes -4 and -5 (written as -45)

Both pairs create a tight, slightly dissonant harmony that naturally imitates the wailing sound of a whistle. The choice between them is mostly personal preference: -34 gives you a lower, throaty whistle, while -45 is brighter and cuts through your rhythm a little more.

To add this into your chugging pattern, try the following:

Establish your basic rhythm - use the pattern we played above.
After a few bars, pause the chug and hit either -34 or -45 with a strong, steady breath.
Add a subtle hand wah or slight bend to give the whistle some vibrato and shape. This makes it sound more expressive, like a train calling from a distance.
Drop straight back into the chugging groove.

Tips for Mastering Harmonica Chugging Lessons

Start slow: Use a metronome or tap your foot to keep a steady beat. Speed comes with control.
Focus on breath control: Smooth transitions between draw and blow notes are essential. Avoid gasping or forcing air.
Practice both straight and swung rhythms: This builds versatility and helps you understand different blues feels.
Record yourself: Listening back can reveal timing issues and help you improve.