Harmonica Lessons.
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re that suits you.

Why Learn to Play Harmonica?

For such a small instrument, the harmonica delivers big health benefits. A major part of harmonica technique involves breathing exercises aimed to increase lung capacity. Not only does greater lung capacity improve technique, it's also good for patients with lung disorders, like COPD. 

Harmonica playing resembles a common rehabilitation exercise used on pulmonary patients. When playing the harmonica, you must inhale and exhale forcefully against the instrument. This action strengthens the diaphragm and deepens breathing.

The meditative combination of deep breathing and focus associated with playing the harmonica can also regulate the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce anxiety. In addition, deep belly breathing will strengthen your core muscles, improving posture and slimming your waistline. Harmonica is also used to treat patients with facial paralysis and Parkinson's disease.

Topics You'll Learn in Harmonica Lessons Near You

Whether you're interested in country, folk, jazz, rock, or blues harmonica lessons, a private tutor will customize harmonica classes to your individual interests. A private teacher will also ensure lessons are designed to complement your learning style and age. 

For example, private harmonica lessons for beginners include different course content than those for advanced students, and harmonica lessons for children differ greatly from harmonica lessons for adults. Below, you’ll find some of the example topics you can expect to learn at each skill level. 

Sample Curriculum for Beginner Harmonica Lessons

Congrats on choosing to learn harmonica! In private harmonica lessons for beginners, you'll learn all the basics you need to start playing some simple tunes and melodies. Beginner lessons may cover the following topics:

• How the harmonica works
• Instrument care
• How to hold the harmonica
• Breathing techniques and exercises
• Blowing and drawing
• Playing methods: the pucker, the tongue, and single notes
• Introduction to music theory
• Learning to read harmonica tabs
• Learn to play a simple song

Sample Curriculum for Intermediate Harmonica Classes

Intermediate harmonica classes are designed to further develop your basic skills, while you study more challenging techniques. In intermediate harmonica, you'll become a much better musician the more you practice. Intermediate lessons may cover the following topics:

• Breathing control
• Introduction to pitch change

• Bending techniques - Tilt method - No-tilt bend

• Alternative techniques for holding the harmonica

Sample Curriculum for Advanced Harmonica Lessons

In advanced lessons, you'll be poised to master the harmonica. Whether taking rock, country, or blues harmonica lessons, your teacher will help you perfect your skills to play your preferred genre with plenty of soul. Advanced lessons often cover the following topics:

• Harmonica positions one through five
• Playing harmonicas in different keys
• Major, minor, and blues scales
• Draw bends
• Blow bends
• Overblows and overdraws
• Hone style and genre playing

How long does it take to learn to play harmonica? It's different for everyone depending on the student's existing knowledge of music, time available to practice, and frequency of lessons. But working with a private instructor will put you at an advantage. 

You'll receive immediate feedback and your instructor's undivided attention, helping you overcome challenges and pick up new techniques more quickly.

Find a Tutor for Private Harmonica Lessons

When you're ready to learn to play harmonica, you'll first need to find an experienced harmonica teacher. A quick search here at TakeLessons will provide you with lots of harmonica teachers, offering lessons near you and online. 

Our instructors come highly recommended and background-checked. They have years of experience teaching and many have worked in the music business. We recommend choosing to learn harmonica with a teacher who specializes in the genre of music you love. 

To help you make your final choice, read the reviews left by other harmonica students, like you. Once you've selected your favorite teacher, go ahead and schedule your first lesson. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to playing songs like "Amazing Grace" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot”!