5 Stupidly Simple Harmonica Grooves (Guaranteed to Impress)

-123 (Ta Taka Ta kaTa Ta ka TA)
123 (Ta Taka Ta kaTa Ta ka TA)

2.) Little Walter Shuffle Groove
The shuffle groove is a simple but LEGIT blues rhythm great to play alone or with a band. In this video I show examples of Snooky Pryor and Joe Filisko playing this harmonica groove.

It's very simple: Inhale saying “Tata” & Exhale saying “Tata” using a swung 8th note pattern. So the harmonica tabs are:

-123 -123 123 123
Ta Ta Tsa Ta

By the way, it's good to practice this groove AS QUIETLY AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. This will help you develop breath control that will actually help you for ALL of your harmonica playing.

3.) Muddy Waters Groove
There’s NO syllable (Ta’s or Ka’s or Tsa’s.) This one we’re just breathing.

One breath in -12
One breath out 34 23
One breath in -23 -12

So we’re gonna do 5 notes with 3 breaths, to play these harmonica tabs:

-12 34 23 -23 -12

Then we’ll add 2 chord bombs in between: “Yuh Yuh” on -123

4.) Killer Shark Groove
Even though it’s a kid’s song, I think Baby Shark actually sounds pretty badass on the harmonica! 😎

We play 3 single notes: -1 2 -2 And then draw on holes -12 and now we are going to say:

Ta Ta kaTa kaTa

Here are the full harmonica tabs for the simplest way to play Baby Shark:

-1 2 -2 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12
-1 2 3 23 23 23 23 23 23
-1 2 -2 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12
-1 2 -1

And a fun/funny way to end the song would be the old “shave and a haircut…two bits” ending:

-2 -1 -1 2 -1 -123 -123

And that’s everything you need to do a killer harmonica performance of this song without having to bend any notes.

-1 -2 -2’

Here’s the advanced harmonica tabs, and for those of you who CAN bend, I’ll include harmonica tabs to the 2nd verse as well:

-1 2 -2 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12
-1 2 3 23 23 23 23 23 23
-1 2 -2 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12
-1 2 -2’

-3 -3” -2 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12
-3 -3” 3 23 23 23 23 23 23
-3 -3” -2 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12 -12
-3 -3 -3”

And whether you’re a beginner or a boss, that’s everything you need to rock Baby Shark! 🦈

5.) Beatbox Harmonica Groove
Beatbox harmonica grooves are still in their infancy - there’s lots to explore! This is exciting because you could discover a way to do that NOBODY HAS EVER DONE BEFORE.

A couple harmonica artists known for their beatboxing are
Moses Conca
and Brandon Bailey.

I was never a beatboxer, so I felt scared to try it BUT it’s actually NOT THAT HARD! TOTAL BEGINNERS CAN DO THIS!!!

STEP 1: How to Beatbox - Learn the Words
The common words to start learning how to beatbox are “Boots” and “Cats.” 👢🐈

BOOTS = Kick drum sound
CATS = Snare drum sound
You simply say: Boots and Cats and Boots and Cats and
Boots and Cats and Boots and Cats…

Phase 1 harmonica beatbox tabs read like this:

BOOTS -123 CATS -123
BOOTS -123 CATS 123 123

Phase 2: Replace the words with the more realistic drum-like sounds.

And that’s it! You’re off to the races. TIP: Beatbox harmonica sounds best on minor-tuned harmonicas.

Thanks for checking out this lesson. Please leave any comments or questions below. And keep on playing the harmonica and making the world a better place!

Aloha,
Luke

[MattH]

Guitar player here. Had a bad finger injury that needs surgery. It's been driving me insane not playing. So, I'm gonna be with you for a while. I hope ❤ ☮️

[richardjohnson]

Just great Luke, 87 years old and still trying

[JimKinman-bt]

After breaking my left arm, and unable to play my guitar for a while, I still needed music in my life. I came across your lessons by chance and must say, thank you, your a dedicated teacher.
A new chapter begins :)

[AntonioLeist]

I got a harmonica today for easter and im so happy about it because im a huge fan of western music :D I instantly subscribed to your channel because you teach very beginner friendly and its relatively easy to follow, i hope i get good at this and i wish all the best to everybody who reads this and is also practising <3

[eddiebear]

I played for about 7 months solid when I started. I felt I was a quick learner with it. Stopped for about a year. Now I'm back at it. Your videos helped me in the beginning, now they are getting me up to speed again

[Lecon]

Nice. I carry my harmonica everywhere and I'm always playing, willing to put it to music. I started about 6 months ago. Many times when I know a solo, I kick in with my harmonica. I'm having fun.

[AndréCamelierCujo]

I've always wanted to play the harmonica, and even started by myself, but always felt I wasn't getting any better. Your lessons really made a difference, and I can't thank you enough for it. Best wishes from Brazil!

[GeraldPatt]

Thank you Luke. I’ve been learning to play since 2017. I mostly play for myself and children. I buy harmonicas and give them to interested children, teaching about four of them what I’ve learned. You’re a great and inspiring teacher. I’ll be sending my $thanks here.❤😊

[bensutton]

Been playing harmonica for about 2 months and just found you're videos wish I had found them at the start would have made it so much easier love your work brother

[Aichauer]

i used to play harmonica when i was twelve years old, now i am starting again in the age of 54 because of this absolutely excellent channel. you are doing such a great job as a harmonica teacher! all thumbs up! (i wish i had more than two!🙏😅) Greetings from germany.

[nilsetienne]

Excellent. I am myself a guitarist, but the way you harmonicist think breath and rythm learns me a lot.

[greggmarkowski]

These are fun simple groves/riffs that any beginner can "master" and then have a blast playing for friends and in the right situation play along with Youtube and recordings. Kind of jump start the fun of playing. Great video.

[onlinebills]

You are such a fun teacher explaining things. I have been smiling the whole time.... and I dont have a harmonica! (I lost it 25 years ago)

[fishyfishsticks]

Thanks! My girlfriend died and I got her old harmonica. It helps me feel more connected with her after her passing. God bless her. 🥺💔🌈🎷

[MrPHJO]

Nice, man! Really nice. Where can I find the (a) backing track for the solo you are playing at 05:08? Thanks a lot in advance.

[workinprogress]

I don't know enough about baby shark to know if it was an intentional mash up or just how it goes, but that section basically went into Hanson "mmbop" and I was unexpectedly delighted.

[the_and_only]

This take on teaching harmonica is funny and effective, love this dude

[alexc]

Ive just started on my harmonica journey and i already love your channel thank you for what you do

[christheroamer]

These seriously the best harmonica tutorials I’ve seen on YouTube !

[petrimax]

avsom lesson I learn lot few minuts., blues is my faforite genre. So thanks I be back to jour cource.toHarpping more Greetings from Finlad.