Blues Harmonica For Beginners (Even if You Can't Bend)

This beginner blues harmonica lesson assumes that you already know how to isolate notes. You don’t have to know how to bend for this lesson. Of course your blues harmonica soloing will sound best when you can bend.

You’ll find all the tabs, backing tracks, and more for this lesson here:

How to Memorize the 12-Bar blues 1:14
Learning the Chords to the 12-Bar Blues 2:24
Learning a Harmonica Chord Rhythm to Play 3:47
Playing the Harmonica Chords to the 12-Bar Blues 4:26
Thoughts about Soloing 6:12
3 Killer Blues Harmonica Phrases 7:28
My Harmonica Solo Using Only the 3 Phrases 11:46

I’m playing a C harmonica in 2nd position, in the key of G. Any 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C will work for this lesson. Alright, let’s learn how to play blues harmonica!

While there are many variations of the 12-bar Blues, the most common and simplest chord progression is this:

I I I I
IV IV I I
V IV I I

Here are the harmonica tabs for the 12-Bar Blues Harmonica Chords:

-234 -234 -234 -234 -234 -234 -234 -234
456 456 456 456 -234 -234 -234 -234
-4 -4 456 456 -234 -234 -234 -234

Here are the 3 Killer Harmonica Blues Vocabulary Tabs

Phrase 1: The Question
-2 -3’ 4 -4

Phrase 2: Answer
-4 -4’ -3’ 2’

Phrase 3: Trill
-4 -5

Harmonica tabs to my blues solo using these 3 phrases:

The point of this recording is to show that you really can play an entire solo with just these 3 phrases, and sometimes repeating the first or last note of the phrase. In this solo, I play 3 times through the 12-Bar Blues form (labeled 1st Chorus, 2nd Chorus, and 3rd Chorus in the tabs.)

1st Chorus

-2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -2 -2
-2 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -2 -2 -2
-2 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -5 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -2

2nd Chorus

-2 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -5
-4 -4’ -3 -2 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -5 -4 -4’ -3 -2
-4 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4

3rd Chorus

-4 -5 -4 -4' -4 -4 -4 -4
-4 -4’ -3 -2 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -4 -5 -4 -4’ -3 -2
-2 -3 -4 4 -4 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -4’ -3 -2 -2 -3 -4 4 -4 -4 -5

Thanks for watching this free lesson on how to play blues harmonica for beginners. I hope you enjoyed this harmonica lesson. If you did, please give it the thumbs up and subscribe so you don’t miss any of the new free harmonica lessons. As always, please leave any questions below.

Have fun!

#BluesHarmonica #HarmonicaLesson #BluesHarp

[martino]

Wow.. ok so I’m a disabled 57 year old guy from south philly LoL.. doc said I need to take up some instruments to help me injuries... well I like the harmonica... looking for a week then found you!!!! Young man i love you lol! Your videos got to me... everyone needs a specific way to hear something to learn from it if that makes sense..(remember I’m disabled) and you did it for me! Thank you thank you thank you! Lol

[hugh]

Hey even this 76 years youngster believes he can play the blues! Dude is a good teacher!

[BorderRebels]

The best blues harmonica tutorial I’ve ever seen / heard! 👏👏👏👏

[RnRDaveC]

As an oldie of 74, (I started at 72), this is a great instrument to learn. Stick it in your top pocket and doodle, it starts to make sense. I play blues and I've just started playing it in the band. This is a great place to start learning. When you start to bend notes you get a great kick! Thanks Luke.

[Pammywong]

I just love how Luke creates and teaches these lessons. He is such a positive influence. Now I just need to break out the harmonicas and start learning how to play!

[CarloMario]

Having the knowledge is one thing but being able to communicate it, to share it with others the way you do, it's totally another set of skills. Congrats oh great teacher Onizuka

[chanbayless]

11:50. Thank you, Luke. Great lesson

[robertYTBg]

holy crap ! now I'm going to have to practice all night :) awsome, and thank you for posting

[julia.schueler.guitar]

Cool stuff :D Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Berlin, Germany 🎸

[hananshells]

Having knowing your Instrument Well is one thing, teaching it to others is another skill.
You have them both!
Thanks and God Bless from Jerusalem.

[guitfiddle]

Awesome. I play electric guitar and love jamming to blues, blues rock, whatever, but man, the harmonica has soul. You're an excellent teacher. No bs, right to the point. Cuts through the tricks and mystery right to the magic. Thanks.

[DiceNne]

After trying other YouTube tutorials and not really vibing with them I found this channel and wow, I finally am getting it. With an hour or so’s practise with Luke’s instruction I was able to go from struggling to play single notes and not being able to bend at all to being able to play along almost perfectly with the solo.

[TheGreatMrKid]

I recently picked up the harmonica after having little to no time to play my other instruments now, as I'm in a new career where I drive a whole lot. Following along with your videos, i immediately bought a special 20 "C" and have been playing when I make stops on the road for work. Your content is extremely digestible and well made! You are the reason I'm still learning and playing music, despite my new career! Thank you Luke!

[robertwalker]

Great 1st half. 2nd half might take me 2 weeks to get down. ( I am a total beginner). All in all, best instructor I've found so far.
Thank you.

[dominicquick]

Ive spent hours trying to learn to bend and wah from different videos, this videos isnt even about bends or wah or oys but his calls are so simple I got it so fast, thank you so much man

[nrrful]

Thanks, you are one of the best in teaching and understanding of the harmonica. ..

[Lilsunshinebaby]

I just got my G harp delivered today and this is the first lesson that has been much easier to follow! So excited to learn 😩

[marcomessina]

Look you're the best teacher that I have found on the internet bar none. Your videos are absolutely outstanding. Thank you

[TheBluesLab]

This is without a doubt the most brilliant beginner's lesson I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of them) I'm staying right here, and thank you for your talent not only in playing but also in your ability to convey the content. Very good concept and execution.

[andrepinto]

man, you're a very good tutor... like your methodology.. I bought my harmonica 3 days ago.. watched hundreds of videos. but yours are amazing... I've been able to bend today and keep up with you on this Blues solo.. Thanks a lot :))