TO PLAY A SONG ON THE HARMONICA

It’s fairly easy to hit a few right notes. But harmony is harder

Blow into a harmonica (or harp) and you’ll make a sound. You may even get a basic, recognisable tune out of it. But to play it well – and to the satisfaction of listeners – is significantly harder.

It’s easier to get to grips with the harmonica if you already know your way around a piano (you’ll understand scales), or another reed instrument (you’ll also have good breath control). Get a diatonic harmonica to begin – they’re already tuned to a key (usually C). You blow or ‘draw’ (inhale) on the holes to create your different notes. Then it’s really all about practice: scales, several notes together, then the harder trick of one note at a time. To do that, you’ll need to draw on advanced harp-playing skills such as learning to use your tongue or lips to block holes (blocking).

The good thing is that because it’s portable, you can try practising anywhere, any time, from waiting for the kettle to boil, to when you’re out on a walk. Gotta keep harping on…