Harmonica Lesson 1 to 20 Notes

Here are my learning from the playlist with just 20 Lessons.

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni Sha - Lower Octave, Middle Octave, Higher Octave

youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM-rvn343zASehuN-4lEWqafMbW-0OuD6

Lesson 1 Learning

1. Type of Harmonica Instruments

Trembolo - Only pure notes. 24 holes, like in harmonium and piano has black key for sharp notes or flat notes, we don't have sharp notes in this, so we cannot plays songs with it.

Ditonic harminica  - 10 holes, only one octave, no sharp notes.

Chromatic harmonica - This has both sharp / flat notes and 

Brands - costs from 700, 1000 to 50000 Suzuki, Honor super 64 - 16 holes, honor 12 holes, Easttop, out of these Tower, Bluberry, Pulse are cheap.

Which Scale to choose for the choice of mouth organ?

Only C scale Mouth Organ is required. There are different scaled mouth organs available in Market.

2. Knowing the Teacher

9831012250 - Sir whatsapp number, Sai Sanjeev Talks

3. What should be the choice of instrument and why?

Understanding different types and the limitations of harmonica helps to choose chromatic harmonica which has 3 octaves and with sharp note switch.

Hope the there is no extra effort to make 3 different octaves directly by the player and we always have sharp notes to mix and play for cinematic movie songs.

Hence Chromatic Harmonica is the choice for learners to begin with.

Lesson 2 Learning

4. How to hold Instrument?

Bold note should comes on the left and the sharp note should come on the right when we are holding the harmonica. The second tip to remember "how to hold" is to "make a note" that the switch should be on the right side.

Harmonica should be holded in left hand, in the middle with 4 finger resting on the top and thumb holding the bottom.

When we hold as said above, we will be able to go from "Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Tha, Ni, Sa" 3 times properly. And It will be very easy to play properly, Holding it like this should become an habit. Holding it right is very important to do special effects.

When holding the harmonica as a teacher, the teacher should hold with both hands showing the movements.

5. Where to blow & gasp or huff and puff in the alternating holes (Phukna and Keechna)?

Harmonica is a wind instrument, it has small strips inside, some strips are on the top of the plate and some strips on the bottom, they stick outside as they are cut out of same plate, some bend down and some bend upwards. They are actually bend alternatively. All odd numbered ones on the top and all even numbered ones on the bottom. When we blow out air, the top ones blow away and when we blow in or gasp, the bottoms ones get pulled in. The length of the strips determines the Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Tha, Ni and Sa.

Lesson 3 Learning

6. How to handle the mouth pressure with Vaseline?

Apply Vaseline on the rims of harmonica, top and bottom. Avoid the vasceline creeping inside the mouth and holes. Most welcoming thing is to apply it on the lips.

7. What to concentrate when blowing and gasping?

what kind of sound does comes out (sa, re, ga, ma, pa...) and what kind of sound is heard (the vocal memory by our auditory aids).

Like while learning typewriting, we used to type only by seeing each letter and then slowly we used to know which finger has to move for which letter.

We used to learn by seeing first, then by playing next. That is how we begin.

8. What octave to choose first?

The frequently used octave is the octave that one should learn first. The middle octave which is of the purest form is found in almost all places and all songs is easy to learn and easy to play and the most useful of all.

9. How to play the middle octave?

In chromatic harmonica, we should start from hole number 9 and we should skip hole number 15 and go upto hole 16 and come back and end at hole 15. 

The teacher uses P for Phuko and K - Keecho, to blow air in and out. The order of blowing in and out from 9 to 16 and then to 15 is, P -> K -> P-> K-> P-> K -> K-> P

Identification of 9th hole and 16th hole becomes little bit difficult, but one can find it. 

In harmonica, there is a trick to find, the holes are alternating top and bottom and slides from top to bottom when we traverse from left to right. We should leave first 4 pairs and last 4 pairs. The middle 4 pairs are to be concentrated for middle octave.

The next way to identify the hole number 9 and 16 is to note the shadow of our hand inside the holes, since we try to hold the middle part of the instrument, the shadow falls completely on the left hand side and make the holes dimmer and almost dark. The first light shadowed with litte comparable visibility hole mostly becomes our 9th hole and the most brightest and whitesh hole becomes our 16th hole.

Double verification is always good, it increase our confidence. More than double verification is just nervousness.. hehehe 😜 

PK PK PKKP. PK, PK is fine then we will fall asleep and make PK again, we have to make a switch and skip. After 2 momentums of jump, we have to make a big jump PKKP and when doing KK we have to make a Jump.

To remember this we have to shake our body balance a bit, our auditory system maintains the body balance, we should move forward when we blow out and we should move backwards when we blow in or gasp. So the movement will be forward, backward, forward, backward, forward, backward, skip & backward, go back forward.

Another way to remember the holes is to stick a paper on top of harmonica and write down the details - hole number and swarams (sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni, sa).

It is just a matter of 2 to 3 days to make a note and remember the middle octave holes and sounds.

Lesson 4 Learning

What is the difference in sound between lower, middle and higher octaves?

We started with middle octave, then the same repeats for lower octave 8 host and higher octave 8 holes. Lower Octave sounds like "Sangu or Conch Sound" and in Higher Octave the sharpness increases.

Which strip vibrates when we blow in and blow out?

My understanding that when we blow out, the upper reed used to blow, and when we blow in or gasp the lower reed on the strip gets pulled, but it was the opposite, when we blow in lower strip vibrates and when we blow out upper strip vibrates.

What length of strip reed (short / long) present in lower octave, higher octave and middle octave?

Long length strip reed is present in lower octave. Short strip reed in higher octave and middle length strips present in middle octave.

How to play on a 10 holed ditonic harmonica?

Only middle octave available in ditonic harmonica. Its internal structure is different, we have to both tone in single hole, which arises when we blow in and blow out from single hole or place

From hole 4 to 7 hole middle octave is present.

Sa, Ga, Pa, Sa when we blow in.

Re, Ma, Dha, Ni when we blow out.

Lesson 5 Learning

Another way to separate lower, middle and higher octave is to tie a rubber band between lower & middle and middle & higher octaves.

Use three rubber band with double round.

Lesson 6 Learning

Practice the swaras in lower, middle and higher octaves.

Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa. 

Sa, Ni, Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Re, Sa.

12 holes mouth organ also has same pattern as 10 holes ditonic harmonica. 4 * 3 makes 12. So all three octave pure notes present.

Alankar 1 - Sa Sa, Re Re, Ga Ga, Ma Ma, Pa Pa, Dha Dha, Ni Ni, Sa Sa

Alankar 2 - Sa Sa, Ni Ni, Dha Dha, Pa Pa, Ma Ma, Ga Ga, Re Re, Sa Sa

Lesson 7 Learning

Alankar 3 

Sa, Re, Sa, Re, Ga

Re, Ga, Re, Ga, Ma

Ga, Ma, Ga, Ma, Pa

Ma, Pa, Ma, Pa, Dha

Pa, Dha, Pa, Dha, Ni

Dha, Ni, Dha, Ni, Sa

Alankar 4 (reverse)

Sa, Ni, Sa, Ni, Dha

Ni, Dha, Ni, Dha, Pa

Dha, Pa, Dha, Pa, Ma

Pa, Ma, Pa, Ma, Ga

Ma, Ga, Ma, Ga, Re

Ga, Re, Ga Re, Sa

Lesson 8 Learning

How to avoid distinct swarna note properly without mixing into other notes?

Use to tongue to detect center of hole and blow in or blow out, one should properly play single intended note.

Clear single note sound make the practice enjoyable. 

Lesson 9 Learning

How to clean harmonica?

Use mouthwash and wash top and bottom outside where our lips touch.

What to do to avoid harmonica from affected from mouth germs?

Don't salaiva to enter when blowing.

Gargle and wash before using harmonica.

Lesson 10 Learning

How to make the rhythm good and clear?

Rhythm requires playing same note multiple time with right gaps.

The following lines to be played from top to bottom and then from bottom to top to set the rhythm.

Sa,  Sa Sa Sa

Re, Re Re Re

Ga, Ga Ga Ga

Ma, Ma Ma Ma

Pa, Pa Pa Pa

Dha, Dha Dha Dha

Ni, Ni Ni Ni

Sa, Sa Sa Sa

Lesson 11 Learning

Alankar 5

Sa(out), Ga(out), Re(in), Ma(in)

Ga (out), Pa(out), Ma(in), Dha(in)

Pa(out), Ni(in), Dha(in), Sa(out)

Alankar 6 (Reverse of alankar 5)

Sa(out), Dha(in), Ni(in), Pa(out)   

Dha(in), Ma(in), Pa(out), Ga (out)

Ma(in), Re(in), Ga(out), Sa(out) 

These are the only alankars enough to play songs :)

Lesson 12 Learning

What is the use of Slider?

The notes of the black keys in harmonium and piano are important to play any song.

What is a half note or flat note or sharp note?

The middle note between Sa and Re. or The middle note between pure notes. In ditonic harmonica we kind of bend the harmonica to play this middle note.

Lesson 13 Learning

What are pure notes?

Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa

C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - Also called as Majors Pitches or Major Notes.

Solfage Notation (Italian Music) - Do, Re, Me, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do - Guido Notation, modern music sheets are writtern with this.

What are the flat notes and how they are writtern?

It is also called as Komal Notes, Flat Notes, Sharp Notes,  Tibre Notes

Re(K), Ga(K), Ma(T), Dha(K), Ni(K), Here k is komal, T is Timbre

C(sharp)+D(flat), D(sharp)+E(Flat), E(sharp)+G(flat), G(sharp)+A(flat), A(sharp)+B(flat) 

Ma and Sa are always pure. Ma also has a tembre

How to know when to use flat notes in song?

By practice an intuition we will know when to use flat notes. 

Lesson 14 Learning

What exercise to control breathe?

Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... until possible without any pressure

Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... until possible without any pressure

Gaaaa

Maaaa

Paaaa

Dhaaa

Niiiii

Saaa..... until possible without any pressure

Do it in Middle, Lower and Higher to increase the Dhum or Strength. Such an Simple Excercise

Lesson 15 Learning

How to play a song?

Record the song in memory by listening to it 10 to 15 times. Mostly by listening and trying to replicate the sound in harmonica should be possible.

Taking help of notation also can be done. For example small song

Lower Octave - Ga, Dha, Ni

Middle Octave - Sa, Ga, Ni, Sa Sa Sa (Sa can be confusing which hole to play)

Song: Tu Pyaar hai kisi aur ka

Finding the starting tone first. 

Finding the octave or scale is first important

Finding whether it starts with blowing in or blowing out.

If the pitch is moving sharp, go to higher octave, if the pitch is slowing down, go to lower octave.

Lesson 16 Learning

How to play the Coarse?  

Song Played: Hey Apana Dil Tho Avaara

What is Single Note Playing? Must be played without mixing other notes, should be played with small mouth opening. Put the instrument slightly touching or outside the mouth.

What is Coarse Playing? Same as Single note playing but mixing with near by note, should be played with open flat mouth opening. Put the instrument little bit inside the mouth. Make the single identified note in the middle

Even Sa, Re, Ga, Ma is possible in Coarse

Lesson 17 Learning

How to know and switch Octave?

One must have learned Octave shifting based on whether Low Pitch to High Pitch Movement or High Pitch to Low Pitch Movement.

Is Lyrics important?

Tune is More important than lyrics.

How to search for the second note?

If the song is moving to higher pitch move towards the direction of higher octave (right), else move towards the left. 

Jumping different octave levels are very difficult not for beginners.

Which songs are always favorites?

Happy Birthday to you is a simple song to play.

Thu Pyaar Hai, Kisi Aur ka

Twinkle, Twinkle, little star - Sa, Sa, Pa, Pa, Dha, Dha, Pa.

How to create a notation and what important things to note?

It is important to note the following and write them down in our notation.

1. swar

2. hole number (denotes proper octave, i prefer remembering location alone or octave alone)

3. blowin or blow out.

Lesson 18 Learning

This lesson is about 2 alankars. Alankar provides breathing excercise.

Alankar 1 - eight time blow out and eight time blow in 

Sa, Sa Sa Sa.

Sa, Sa Sa Sa.

Ga, Ga Ga Ga. 

Ga, Ga Ga Ga.

.

.

.

Note comma, for proper pauses.

Play in middle, lower and upper.

It solves continuous breathing problem, which comes in middle of song.

Alanka 2

Sa, Re, Ga, Sa. (9, 10, 11, 9) 

Sa, Re, Ga, Sa. (9, 10, 11, 9)

Ga, Ma Ma, Pa. (11, 12, 12, 13)

Ga, Ma Ma, Pa. (11, 12, 12, 13)

Pa, Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Sa (13, 14, 13, 12, 11, 9)

Pa, Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Sa (13, 14, 13, 12, 11, 9)

Re, Ni, Sa (10, 8, 9)

Re, Ni, Sa (10, 8, 9)

Re, Ni, Sa (10, 8, 9)

Points to Note

1. Transition is bit difficult, moving without moving away like sliding should be practices.

2. When the swarna in lines are few, it is easy, if the swaras in lines are lengthy then it becomes difficult to continously play without stopping.

Lesson 19 Learning - Lesson 1 has 2 parts, so skipping 19

Lesson 20 Learning

How to play without notation, how to play only by listening to song or tune?

Most of the songs starts only in middle octave. very rarely they start in lower octave.

So First search in middle octave.

If the song starts with blowing out sound, check on blowing out holes else on blowing in holes one by one.

Once first note is identified which is in resonance with first letter sound of the song, go for second letter sound and search left or right based on pitch.

After searching in Middle octave, based on pitch move to higher or lower octave. If nothing found search in Flat notes (Komal & Tremble)

Searching and learning is easy and repetition is going to help any one.