Harmonica Music

Free Online Harmonica Instruction from Jump For Joy Music!

Download free sheet music and instruction sheets:
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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star sheet music
Ode to Joy sheet music
Harmonica Instructions

Play Along With Your Own Harmonica!
(Click the audio clips below and play along!)
This should be a 10-hole (diatonic) harmonica, often generically called a “blues harp, ” in the key of C.
NOTE: You’ll hear 4 “clicks” – then you can play along!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Ode to Joy

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Instructions for Hand Position

  1. Hold harmonica (“harp”) in your left hand* between the index finger and thumb. You should see the numbers 1-10 on the top of the harmonica and the letter C on the far right of the harmonica.
  2. Keep your index finger and thumb towards the back of the harp, so that there is plenty of room for your lips.
  3. Purse your lips (as if you are whistling) and cover hole #1. Your lips should actually cover the written number for each hole. Check this in a mirror. Make sure you have enough “lip” on the harp.
  4. Blow into hole # 1. This is called a blow note.
  5. Inhale on #1. This is called a draw note.
  6. Continue this exercise (blow & draw) on holes 1-10. Try to get each note “by itself” if you can. If you hit 2 notes at a time, no problem!

*If you are left-handed, I suggest you first try instruction #1 as written. If that is uncomfortable, then try holding the harp in your right hand. Choose the option that is more comfortable.
Instructions for Reading Harmonica Notation
↑ = Blow
↓ = Draw

Reading the following harmonica notation is very simple. When you see an arrow pointing up ( ↑) , you exhale (blow) into the harmonica. When you see an arrow pointing down ( ↓) , you inhale (draw) through the harmonica. Have fun reading your first harmonica songs, and playing along with the accompaniment!