u/Chaihigh-2

Why 2nd Position Matters on Harmonica

If you’re learning harmonica, understanding 2nd position is a big step.

In this lesson, I break down what 2nd position actually means, how the blow and draw chords relate to the key you’re playing in, and why 2nd position works so well for blues.

Hope this helps anyone who’s been trying to wrap their head around harmonica positions!

If you’re interested, I’ve been building up a lot more harmonica lessons on my YouTube channel:

🎵 YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@RobOliverMusic

🎵 Harmonica Mondays Playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg_7456hUyWtOvFvD7i_D12EZxNCrJc1l&si=4uVStHcrrSKbF42z

If you’re brand new to blues harmonica, this week’s lesson is for you.

I put together a beginner lesson on playing your first blues chug. We go through breathing, relaxation, rhythm, and how to use the blow and draw chords to create a simple shuffle groove.
I play it first, then break it down step by step so you can practice along.

I’d love to hear what helped you the most, or what beginner topics you’d like to see next.

Syncopated Chug & Riff Harmonica Lesson | Harmonica Mondays 15

A syncopated chug is a great way to make your rhythm playing sound more interesting while still keeping a solid groove.

In this lesson, I play the full pattern first, then break it down step by step before finishing with a slower version so you can practice along.
New harmonica lessons every Monday.

If you enjoy the lesson, I’d love to hear what your favorite chugging patterns are or how you’re using this one in your own playing!

Harmonica:
Kongsheng Sunrise Key of G

Tab:
(kuh) (-1-2 tah) (-1-2 dah)
(-1-2-3 tut) (-1-2-3 tut)

(kuh) (-1-2 tah) (-1-2 dah)
(-1-2-3 tut) (-1-2-3 tut)

(kuh) (-1-2 tah) (-1-2 dah)
(-1-2-3 tut) (-1-2-3 tut)

-3” -3 -4
-3 -3” -2
-2” -1

Learn the Classic Hand Wah Effect | Beginner Harmonica Lesson | Harmonica Mondays 14

The hand wah is one of the easiest ways to make your harmonica playing sound more expressive.
In this lesson, I demonstrate the technique first, then break it down step by step so you can add it to your own playing right away.

New harmonica lessons every Monday.

Harmonica:
Kongsheng Sunrise Key of C

If you enjoy the lesson, I’d love to hear how the hand wah is working in your playing!

Just a quick blues lick. Always looking for little phrases that feel good to play.

Kongsheng Sunrise Key of G

Make Your 3rd Position Blues Scale Sound Musical Harmonica Lesson | Harmonica Mondays 13

Learn a musical blues scale lick in 3rd position that helps you connect scale notes into phrases that sound like music instead of exercises.

I play the lick in the higher octave, then show you how to play the same idea in the lower octave. After that, I break everything down step by step and finish with a slower version so you can practice along.

New harmonica lessons every Monday.

Harmonica:
Kongsheng Solist Key of A (3rd Position)

Tab:
-8 (gliss.) 7
-6 -6’ 6

-5 (kwah) -4 4
(-4-5) (kwah+vibrato)

-4 (kwah) 4
-3” -3”’ -2

-2” -1 1
-1 (vibrato)

One of my favorite spots to relax. And playing some harp makes it even better.

The 2 draw is one of the most important notes on the harmonica, but it’s also one of the most frustrating for beginners.

In this Harmonica Mondays lesson, I explain why the 2 draw often sounds weak or choked, how to relax your breathing and tongue position, and how to build a clean, confident note that becomes the foundation of your harmonica playing.

I’d love to hear what finally helped your 2 draw click.

Harmonica:
Kongsheng Sunrise Key of C

Blues Harmonica Chug with Walking Bass Lesson | Harmonica Mondays 12

Learn a blues harmonica chug with a walking bass feel using slaps, pulls, embouchure switching, and rhythmic groove techniques to create a fuller blues sound.

I play it first, then break it down step by step, followed by a slower version so you can practice along.

New harmonica lessons every Monday.

Harmonica:
Low F (2nd Position)

Tab:
-2 (slap-pull)
(12 tuh) (12 tuh)

-2 (-1-2-3 tuh)
(123 tuh) (123 tuh)

-2 (slap-pull)
(12 tuh) (12 tuh)

-2 (-1-2-3 tuh)
(123 tuh) (123 tuh)

-2 (slap-pull)
-3 (slap-pull)

-4 (slap-pull)
5 (slap-pull)

-5 (slap-pull)
5 (slap-pull)

-4 (slap-pull)
-3 (slap-pull)

-2 (slap-pull)
(12 tuh) (12 tuh)

-2 (-1-2-3 tuh)
(123 tuh) (123 tuh)

-2 (slap-pull)
(12 tuh) (12 tuh)

-2 (-1-2-3 tuh)
(123 tuh) (123 tuh)

-2 (slap-pull)
-3 (slap-pull)

-4 (slap-pull)
5 (slap-pull)

-5 (slap-pull)
5 (slap-pull)

-4 (slap-pull)
-3 (slap-pull)

-2 (slap-pull)
(12 tuh) (12 tuh)

-2 (-1-2-3 tuh)
(123 tuh) (123 tuh)

-2 (slap-pull)
(12 tuh) (12 tuh)

-2 (-1-2-3 tuh)
(123 tuh) (123 tuh)

-2 (slap)

I don’t think Liza is much of a harmonica critic. She had more important things to do.

Beginner Harmonica Lesson: How to Play Clean Single Notes | Harmonica Mondays 1

One of the biggest challenges for new harmonica players is learning how to play clean single notes instead of accidentally hitting multiple holes at once.

I put together a beginner lesson covering a few simple techniques that can help with note isolation, tone, and overall control of the instrument.

It’s not the flashiest thing to practice, but clean single notes are one of the most important foundations for everything that comes later on harmonica.

What technique helped you learn single notes when you were starting out?

Harmonica used: Kongsheng Sunrise (Key of C)

Found a quiet spot on a trail yesterday, sat down on a bench, and started playing. This little melody came out of it.

Kongsheng Sunrise (C)

Harmonica Mondays #11

In this week’s Harmonica Mondays lesson, we’re working on a quick 2-bar lick built around a repeating phrase in the first half that gets answered by a response in the second half.

By developing the opening idea before resolving it, this lick creates tension and release that fits naturally into a blues solo.

I play the lick first, then break it down step-by-step, followed by a slower version at the end.

Let me know if you give it a try.

New harmonica lessons every Monday.

Harmonica:
Kongsheng Sunrise C (2nd Position)

Tab:
-5 (slap) -4 (1234)
-5 (slap) -4 (1234)
-5 (slap) -4 (1234)
-5 (slap) -4 (1234)

6 (slap-pull) -5 (slap)
-4 4 -3 (kwah)
-4 (slap) -2 (vibrato)

More Harmonica Mondays Lessons on my YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg_7456hUyWtOvFvD7i_D12EZxNCrJc1l&si=86_-nLhFb0g_8hHY

Harmonica Mondays #10: Blues Harmonica Lick with Chugging Rhythm

Been working on this blues lick that combines a melodic phrase with a chugging rhythm underneath.

Played on a Kongsheng Sunrise harmonica in the key of C.

Tabs are on screen.

Let me know if you try it.

Full lesson with breakdown on my YouTube channel:
YouTube

Beautiful afternoon in Virginia. Grabbed my Kongsheng and played for a bit while enjoying the weather.

Always amazed how a harmonica can make a quiet moment even better.

Harmonica Mondays 9

A bluesy 2nd position lick with a lot of musical applications. This one focuses on starting on a bent note and switching embouchures while keeping the groove feeling natural and musical.

I play the lick first, then break it down step-by-step so you can get the feel of it and how to approach it.

Simple idea, but one you can use in many different ways.

Lemme know if you try it.

Harp:
Kongsheng Sunrise A (2nd Position)

Tab:
-3’ -3 -4 -2 (vibrato)

Slow Blues Chugging Riff | Harmonica Mondays 8

Been working on slowing things down a bit and sitting in the groove more with this blues chugging riff on a G Kongsheng Sunrise (2nd position).

This one focuses on slaps, pulls, and tongue switching between octaves while staying in a slower blues pocket.

I play it full speed first, then break it down step by step in the lesson.

Would love to hear how some of you approach slower groove-based blues playing or chugging patterns too.

Lemme know if you try it.

Tab:

1 CHORD
-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

4 CHORD
4 (slap-pull)
4 (slap-pull)
-3’ (-2-3-4)
(123) (hut-tuh)

4 (slap-pull)
4 (slap-pull)
-3’ (-2-3-4)
(123) (hut-tuh)

1 CHORD
-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

5 CHORD
-1 (slap-pull)
-4 (slap-pull)
-4 (slap-pull)
-4 (slap-pull)

4 CHORD
1 (slap-pull)
4 (slap-pull)
4 (slap-pull)
4 (slap-pull)

1 CHORD
-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

TURNAROUND
2 -2 2 -1
-1 (vibrato)
2 -1

1 CHORD
-2 2 (-1-2) (-1-2)
-3’ (vibrato) (-1-2)

ENDING
2 -2 (vibrato)

One thing I love about harmonica is you can take it with you anywhere you go.

Backstage, on the road, outside, sitting in the woods for a few minutes… always fun to just pick one up and play.