How to Hold a Harmonica Properly

Liam Ward
Dec 18, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Jun 24

Hello! This is a quick lesson for complete beginner harmonica players on the right way to hold a harmonica.

LEARN MORE! Free Beginner Harmonica Lessons

The harmonica is one of the most fun and portable ways to make music - in fact, you can carry a magical musical machine in your pocket! - but before you start bending notes or blasting out the blues, there's something very simple (and very important) to get right first: how you hold the harmonica.

It might seem basic, but how you hold your harp affects your tone, comfort, and control. And there are different ways to hold the harmonica. The most important thing is to find a way that's comfortable for you, but I'll walk you through the most common way to hold harmonica as it will probably work for you.

Why Holding the Harmonica Correctly Matters

A good grip will:

Produce a better tone
Allow for hand effects (e.g. wah-wah)
Improve accurately and movement
Avoid tension and fatigue while you play

Whether you’re just starting or trying to improve your technique, taking a moment to check your hand position can make a big difference.

Step-by-Step: How to Hold a Diatonic Harmonica

1. Identify the Correct Side

First, check that the low notes (starting with hole 1) are on your left, and the higher notes (up to hole 10) are on your right. The numbers are usually engraved on the top cover plate - if you can read them the right way up, your harmonica is the right way around.

2. Use Your Left Hand as the Base

Hold the harmonica between your thumb and index finger of your left hand.
The thumb goes underneath, the index finger sits on top.
The harmonica should rest in the web of your thumb, nice and snug - not clamped too tightly.

This gives you a stable foundation, and leaves room for your right hand to shape the sound when necessary.

3. Keep Your Right Hand Free

And that's basically it! But you might want to use your right hand to shape the sound (for example, muting the note or adding wah-wah). If you do, then you can anchor your right hand by placing the end of your thumb on the right hand end of the harmonica.

Bring your right hand around the back of the harp.
Your right palm should face inwards, creating a loose cup shape with your left hand.
Your thumbs can meet underneath the harp if this is more comfortable.
Keep your hands relaxed, like you're gently holding a butterfly.

A Few Extra Tips

Stay relaxed. Tension in your hands or shoulders will affect the sound.
Practice in front of a mirror to check your grip and make sure your hands stay aligned as you play different holes.
If you’re left-handed, you might feel more comfortable reversing the grip - but many left-handed players still use the standard position.

Holding the Harmonica with a Microphone

If you’re using a bullet mic or handheld microphone, your hand position will change - check out my Online Harmonica School for a full course on using mics, amps and pedals.

Holding the Harmonica - Summary

✔️ Low notes on the left

✔️ Left hand holds the harp between thumb and index finger

✔️ Keep hands and shoulders relaxed

✔️ Practise slowly and mindfully to build muscle memory

Want to see it in action? Check out the video lesson where I demonstrate this step-by-step and show you how to use your hands to shape your sound.

Thanks for taking this free harmonica lesson with me. I hope you enjoyed it!