Harmonica Gift – Give the Gift of Harmonica

Give it to your Dad and see it pass down through the generations.

Maybe your thinking of giving someone a harmonica this Christmas, for their birthday or just because.  What a great idea!  Seriously, with just one gift you will evoke at least four different emotions as they pull the wrapper off this wonderful little package.  So what am I talking about?

1. Desire:  People love to hold pretty things.  The shiny smooth polished metal, the way it shines and how it curves all the way down to each intricately shaped hole.  The harmonica is a work of art all in itself.
2. Nostalgia:   Often times its not even clear where this emotion comes from.  Maybe your given a harmonica to your Dad and he never even owned one.  Still, for some reason, a harmonica always seems to take one back to their childhood.  It reminds people of old times, simpler times and good times.  Perhaps it takes them back to that day as they stood looking at the shiny metal blow toy beneath the glass.  Their childhood imagination was taken by its exquisite beauty and yet never satisfied as they never got to play it.
3. Surprise:  Unless someone asked for a harmonica usually this gift comes from left field but in almost every case, its a pleasant surprise.
4. Ambition:  Yup, time to get motivated about something.  Time to learn how to play this thing.

If you like the idea of giving the Gift of Harmonica please read "How to Buy a Harmonica" - We break down the basics about Harmonica and then provide you with a clear cut choice for the best beginners harmonica as well as a awesome book to learn harmonica.

Learn to Play the Harmonica

If your going to buy a Harmonica your going to need to learn to play the Harmonica.  So whats the best way?  Sure the harmonica probably came with a quick guide to the basics.  If you followed it you might even know a simple song or two but now comes the real test.  Are you at the end of the road?  Is "Oh Susanna" the height of your learning experience or are you going to take the initiative to really learn how to play harmonica.  I'm assuming the later so lets look at your options.

Find a Teacher: Honestly, including myself I only know a few harp players and none of them took lessons.  I'm sure it would be helpful to a beginner but it is in no way absolutely necessary.  There are a lot of resources out there that can help you learn the harmonica all on your own.  I think having a teacher is fine but I think having just a friend is even better.  Learning the Harmonica with someone else to keep after each others motivation can really be helpful.

Youtube: Really, youtube is becoming a great tool for learning all kinds of musical instruments.  Just everyday normal Joes bring their instruments to the camera and show you how to play certain songs, perform techniques and just hammer out the basics.  Go to youtube and search out your favorite harmonica song or question.

Online lessons: Just a quick Google search for "harmonica lessons" will give you a idea of what exactly is out there.  Many of these website offer free starter lessons followed by a course plan that will cost you extra.  Personally, I have never involved myself in these methods and so I have no opinion as to how good they are or if one is better than the other.  Recommendations welcome.

Books and DVD: This is what I used to learn to play the harmonica when I was just staring out.  Of course,  if you are like me you will find yourself using a combination of learning tools as there is a number of paths to becoming the harmonica player you want to be.  It took me a few mediocre guides to finally find one that stood out above the rest by Jon Gindick.  Trust me when I tell you that if you are just starting out this is the book for you.  Jon's book is very easy to follow, complete, and one of the best purchases I made in my pursuit to learn harmonica.  With this book you will progress quickly due to its well thought out structure.  It's just tailored to the complete beginner.

Music Sales Rock N' Blues Harmonica (Book/CD)  One of the most complete harmonica books ever. Learn to play the harmonica with the Rock n' Blues harmonica book that uses notation and tab to teach music theory 101, chord progressions, puckering, tongue blocking, octaves, tongue-slaps, head shakes, vibrato, bends, over blows, secrets of great tone, and much more.