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Does anyone know how to learn how to play the Harmonica? I found an old one around the house, and i'd like to learn how to play a musical instrument again, and the harmonica seems to have a rather shorter learning curve than a guitar .

So, how does one self-teach the Harmonica?

Get a book?

"How to learn harmonica" books are a dime a dozen and for the basics pretty much any one of them would suffice. I'm pretty sure you can just google an online how-to too.

Arguably, since harmonicas aren't usually sold with all twelve tones, you can just honk away to your heart's delight and figure it out on your own. It's not like you'll ever hit a note that doesn't belong in that key, because none exist.

You have to lick it, to get the most tone out of your reeds.

Seriously though, hit up the first couple sites on Google for harmonica lessons; as long as you have some basic music knowledge, they'll be more than enough. Honestly, all you need to know is how the hold the thing, and how to hold your lips and tongue to isolate notes, and then just practice.

Most importantly, don't blow too hard for the first few weeks, you can break reeds rather easily, especially if it's a blues harp style instrument with wood reeds instead of plastic.

If you can read music, get a book and teach yourself in about two weeks like I did. If you can't read music, just teach yourself anyway. Just remember, each hole makes 2 different tones, depending on whether you're breathing out or in.