Blues Harmonica Notes & How to Play Them

❓Wondering about harmonica notes? And specifically want to know about harmonica c notes?

✔️ This free harmonica for beginners lesson will tell you everything you need to know about c harp notes.

Join us in learning about notes on harmonica

Blues harmonica note layout - c harp notes

The most common type of blues harmonica is the 10-hole diatonic harmonica. Each hole produces two different notes, depending on whether you blow (breathe air out) or draw (suck air in).

The note layout of a diatonic harmonica in the key of C is as follows:

The top line shows what note is produced if you blow (outward breath) the corresponding hole.

For example, if you blow on hole 1 you get a C note.

The bottom line shows what note is produced if you draw (inward breath) the corresponding hole.

For example, if you draw on hole 7 you get a B note.

🤯 Confused? It might be worth checking out our answer to: 'how do you play a harmonica?' This free lesson covers the basics.

So now you know the harmonica c notes, let's go a step further...

Learn more about notes on harmonica with our blues courses

Playing harmonica tabs

Harmonica tabs are the most popular way of learning to play harmonica. Harmonica tabs are the musical notation used when playing the harmonica - essentially harp tabs are harmonica music notes. They are a simple alternative to reading sheet music.

➡️ Learn all about harmonica tabs for free by clicking here.

They are easy to follow because they show you the hole number and the air flow direction (blow or draw).

Positive numbers are blow notes (outward breath). Negative/minus numbers are draw notes (inward breath).

For example, 4 means blow on hole four and -4 means draw on hole four.

The tabs for the major scale look like this:

4 -4 5 -5 6 -6 -7 7

Playing blues licks on the harmonica - let's sound bluesy

Blues licks often start on the 2 draw. Try playing this set of notes:

-2 -3 4 -4 -5 6

6 -5 -4 4 -3 -2

Notice the gravitational pull of the 2 draw. This note is your new tonic - the note around which the music is based.

These notes can form all sorts of blues licks and phrases. Try mixing them up to create your own blues solos! 🎉

What you've learnt:

• c harmonica notes

• harmonica tabs

• bluesy licks

🚨 Want to supercharge your blues harmonica playing?

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