Q&A for How to Play a Harmonica

It may need cleaning. Check the wikiHow article, Clean a Harmonica for tips on how to do so. Sometimes, an older one needs repair.

Perhaps your lips are blocking the airway, or maybe the harmonica has moisture (saliva) in it, rendering it unplayable. Try to keep your mouth dry when blowing in and out.

Maybe because you aren’t blowing enough or there is too much saliva blocking the air.

The notes are read based on the number of the holes. The first four holes are the C major chords: from 4 to 7 are the C scale. Also 7 to 10 are also related to the C scale.

There is probably a blockage that you need to clean out. You can do this by taking your harmonica apart, and if you don’t want to, you can always pay someone to do it.

Chromatic harmonicas are played much the same as a regular harmonica, except if you push the button on the side, the pitch will change up one half-step.

You could begin with Harmonica For Dummies, as it goes over almost everything you need to know. In terms of materials, all you need is a small, diatonic (meaning that it has no button on the side) harmonica in the key of C.

There are a number of techniques. First, A C diatonic harmonica can reach various modes of the minor scale using bending, like Mixolydian b6 or Phrygian Major. Another work around is by playing in parallel minors. The A minor scale has all the same notes as C major, just starting on a different note, so your C diatonic harmonica can play in A minor.

You do not need to do this. In fact, if you do this, it can cause chapped lips.

You can fit a harmonica in a pocket that's large enough. It can fit in most pocketed shirts or jeans. There are also small carrying cases designed for harmonicas, you might want to look into getting one of those.

Yes. It doesn't matter what country it's from. If it works, it works, so play it if you want to.

With the harmonica, the softer you play, the quieter the note/s will be. The more forcefully you exhale, the louder the notes will play. There is no way to inhale and exhale softly and still produce a loud sound.

A basic, good-quality, 10-hole, diatonic harmonica costs somewhere between $35 and $90. A high-quality, chromatic harmonica will cost somewhere between $120 and $250.