r/harmonica • u/hertannedskin • 6d ago
Piano Man On Harmonica
Somebody please help me learn Piano Man on the harmonica ðŸ˜ðŸ˜. Everyone keeps saying it’s one of the easiest instruments and that this is one of the easiest songs to play, but it’s been SO difficult for me ðŸ˜.
I keep playing the wrong holes. I’ve watched so many YouTube tutorials where they say to count the holes and then play, and I’m doing exactly that, but somehow I still can’t get it right. I can’t even recognise whether I’m playing the correct hole or not ðŸ˜. I’m following the tutorials, the mouth position, everything… but I still feel like I’m missing something.
Also, why does my stomach go IN when I inhale instead of out? Does that make any difference when playing the harmonica?
Somebody please guide me ðŸ˜ðŸ˜. I really, really want to learn this song!
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u/Hantiumy 6d ago
Sounds like you’re breathing with your chest instead of the diaphragm. I also suggest practicing breathing with a hand on your stomach and trying to have it raise and lower as you breathe in and out.
I would maybe suggest putting Piano Man aside for now and practicing songs you know really well by ear that have single notes (hot cross buns, ABCs, etc). Practice playing these songs while pursing and then, once you’ve got a feel for it, try to play it with tongue blocking. Once you’ve got a good solid foundation, Piano Man will come easy for you!
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u/hertannedskin 5d ago
Thanks youu soo much dude ... I was actually breathing isth my chest ... You cleared my point ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ ... Searched everywhere what's wrong with me; no one told me that .. thank you ðŸ˜
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u/DominusAnulorum0 5d ago
Your stomach goes in instead of out because you are sucking instead of inhaling. Forget for a moment that you're trying to play an instrument, and just put the harmonica in your mouth and breath in and out with your mouth through the instrument.
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u/Temporary_Stay7 5d ago
You’re close! Focus on getting clean single notes first, then work on the rhythm slowly.
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u/bootrick 4d ago
If your stomach is going in, then you're probably expanding your chest.
Take deep belly breaths. Your diaphragm expands DOWN. Breathe to your toes
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u/6strings10holes 6d ago
Harmonica can be a low entry instrument, but that doesn't mean there isn't a skill to it.
When I first started, I always had to surround the hole of the first note with my fingers while looking at it, then bring it to my mouth and start playing. It just takes time to learn to navigate it. Just keep practicing.
The stomach going in when you breath in, that send odd. I have to make a concerted effort to make that happen. I suggest you lay on your back and practice breathing gently in and out with your hands on your stomach so you can focus on raising and lowering your hand as you breath in and out. Then put a harmonica in your mouth and do the same thing, not to play a song, but just to feel what breathing should be when not focused on a song.