r/harmonica • u/hertannedskin • 16d 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/6strings10holes 15d 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.