3 Ways To Play Single Notes On Harmonica

In today's harmonica lesson I'll show you the three main techniques used to isolate single notes on the harmonica and produce melodies using clean notes. The three methods are lip pursing (sometimes called puckering), tongue blocking, and U-blocking. You can try out all three methods and see which works best for you. I'm using a C diatonic harmonica (Hohner Special 20) in this video. I hope you enjoy the lesson!

I also have individual lessons on each of the techniques:

TIMESTAMPS -
00:00 Intro
00:50 Lip Pursing
04:01 Tongue Blocking
07:20 U Blocking

[mcstabba]

I'm a beginner and lip pursing is what comes natural for me. Down the line I'd like to get comfortable with tounge blocking as well.

[dendrlu]

Every kid in first grade after me saying a bad word: 1:45

[meh]

2:39-3:12 I don't know why this isn't explained more often by more people, if you don't do this you just end up playing 2 or 3 notes still, so I was practically bound to keep doing that until this video came out not knowing any better (regardless of me just realizing this week that I wasn't playing a single note though).

Now the question is how? if I squeeze my face like that it just moves my lips around and that can defeat the purpose (I think, maybe not), not to mention doing it without hands, am I supposed to be moving my cheeks inwards or what?

[NeonDruid]

i never thought of using the u block. yes, my tongue does it. tried it just now and immediately saw a difference

[lordlem]

Very interesting, never knew of the 3rd U technique ... i will have to try it ... perhaps for the fast type notes as in Irish music as you mentioned.

[pacanis]

I just picked up a harmonica I've had for probably 50 years. The easiest way for me to get single notes is U blocking, but I can't seem to bend my notes using the methods I've seen (open jaw, swallow tongue, tilt harmonica)... any tips?

[anthonystruck]

An issue I've been stuck on for about a year lol yes I'm clicking on this video as soon as I see it 😁👍

[adrock]

I was struggling trying to do the first two methods as the video went on and actually kinda came up with the U block method on my own lmao. I guess that one is best for me

[Melvaentin]

Omgggg thx I just got one and now I want to play

[leandroaugusto]

I find easier to use the U blocking and don't know If i try the others

[samuelsukenik]

Liam, very good video, those are great techniques for single notes! Thanks

[robertjakobs]

Very interesting, never knew of the 3rd U technique ... i will have to try it ... perhaps for the fast type notes as in Irish music as you mentioned.

[ЕкатеринаМордвинова-ош]

Thanks a lot for this video 👏
Can anyone tell me if bends still work for those who do u-blocking?

[anandaarju]

Liam, we all love you ..keep doing your great work .

[Noah_McCurry]

As a beginner I can’t express enough how helpful and appreciated all your YouTube lessons are. Thank you! I’ve got a couple questions about tongue blocking, if anyone could answer I’d be very grateful.

Can you put your tongue to the right as well? For example, to hit hole 1 would you just put the tip of your tongue on hole 4 instead?

And could you just have your mouth over 3 holes? For example if you want to hit hole 3 could you just cover 1, 2, 3 with your mouth and block 1, 2 with your tongue?

[gavinloui]

Bro i can talk with a harmonica. like make words

[vico]

Please, how can i get a C harmonica with big holes rather than small holes?

[Y-pd]

I am really struggling with puckering (i can't seem to get the size of my mouth opening small enough without fatigue) and tongue blocking. U blocking comes naturally to me but i am concerned that i might not be able to bend or do further advanced techniques in the future

[gavins]

JESUS the ability to blow single notes has to be the most difficult part by far. These holes are tiny

[Antonio-bcue]

I am completely unable to use any of the techniques except for the U block, is the only one I can do. Is it possible to bend notes whit this technique?