The harmonica is a free-reed wind instrument utilized in various musical genres worldwide, it includes Blues, American folk music, Jazz, Country, and Rock. It is often referred to as a mouth harp, mouth organ, or French harp. Starting your musical journey with simple harmonica songs is a great choice, one reason is that it is portable, relatively less expensive and it can be played for a variety of music genres. In this blog post, we’ll look at some simple harmonica songs that are perfect for beginners who are looking forward to practicing and improving their skills.
Simple Harmonica Songs Recommendations
This blog is mainly based on ideas to provide some songs and some tips for beginners in the field of music, to catch up with their upcoming life regarding music.
“Oh Susanna”
Stephen Foster’s composition “Oh! Susanna,” which he wrote in 1847 and published the following year, established his career and brought him immediate fame as a composer. It is a classic American folk tune that’s easy to pick up for beginners.
“When the Saints Go Marching In”
The classic black spiritual “When the Saints Go Marching In,” occasionally referred to as just “The Saints,” began as a Christian hymn. This song is upbeat and widely recognized, making it a great piece to show off your new skills. It’s often played in various keys, but starting in the key of C is advisable. It’s a joyful melody that’s fun to play and memorize.
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is an English lullaby and one is joking if they say that have never heard it before. This lullaby was first published by Jane Tylor. The use of this in learning simple harmonica songs is its familiarity of our mind with its tune. The usual sounds are easier to memorize.
“Happy Birthday”
Happy Birthday, song is the perfect song to learn as a simple harmonica song. It is well-plastered in our brains and it is very easy to understand. There is one rule when learning something new and that is to familiarize yourself with it. As long as your brain acknowledges the new thing, it will be easy for you to catch up on it. Music is no different. This song is perfect for serenading friends and family on their special day.
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel
The song “Piano Man” by Billy Joel tells the story of a piano player at a bar, reflecting on his life and the struggles of the patrons around him. The harmonica intro is iconic and simpler than it sounds.
Tips for Beginners
Start Slow
There comes a time when you feel super motivated to do everything in your life. But one needs to understand the difference between motivation and discipline in one’s life. As a beginner, you must focus on getting the notes right before increasing your speed. When you know what note comes your speed will automatically be better. But it will take time, especially for simple harmonica songs because you are learning it as a beginner and it’s your first time. Don’t rush and be patient.
Practice Breathing
Proper breath control is crucial for playing the harmonica. It is an instrument that is solely based on how long you can keep up without breathing. A simple technique is to stop breathing for some seconds, say 5, and gradually increase the seconds to 9, 10, and so on. This will help in your breathing practice for simple harmonica songs.
Listen to the Masters
Learn from harmonica greats like Little Walter and Bob Dylan. In the changing dynamics of this world, everything is available simply with one click. Listen to people who have mastered harmonica to learn it better.
Use a Harmonica in C
C is the most common key used in musical instruments like guitars and harmonica. It’s the most used key in tutorials and songbooks. It is better to keep up with tutorials when you are just starting your music journey with some simple harmonica songs.
Conclusion
Remember, practice makes a man perfect. Enjoy the process of learning music, and soon you’ll be playing more complex songs with ease and that is for sure!
