Playing The Mouth Organ?

Question

I have for years wanted to play the mouth organ.
Is it easy to learn to play it?
Any answers appreciated

Answer 1

See the site below to get some good pointers for starting to play.
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/beginner_tips.html

hole: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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blow: |C |E |G |C |E |G |C |E |G |C |
draw: |D |G |B |D |F |A |B |D |F |A |
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This chart is a representation of a harp in the key of C.
It shows what note is produced at each hole, either by blowing or drawing. To play the C scale Do, Re, Me... start at the 4th hole, and blow to get a C note, then draw on the 4th hole to get the D note, continue to the 5th hole, blow for the E note, draw for the F note, 6th hole, blow for the G note, draw for the A note, 7th hole it's draw for the B note and blow for the C note.


Just some general information that may be of use after you learn how to play.

Straight Harp/Cross Harp
A good harmonica player has a variety of harmonicas in many different keys. To be in tune with the other instruments you are playing with you need to choose a harmonica with a tonal range that corresponds with the key they are playing in. Diatonic harmonicas come in 12 different keys- one for each ½ step in a standard chromatic octave. If you play the harmonica in the key that it is labeled, you are playing straight harp or first position. You would be using mostly blow notes. This is the position that most of the "folk" type music is played , as well as being best suited for playing melody lines. To play cross harp (second position) you are playing the harmonica in a key other than the key in which the harmonica is labeled. The main reason for doing this is that the draw notes can be bent for more expression and to get your "blue" notes (flatted third, fifth, and seventh) which are not naturally present on the harmonica for the key in which it is labeled. This is the position that is mostly used for blues, rock, and country. In these styles the harmonica is usually not playing the melody, but is used to add fills and riffs that compliment and add to the music. To find the key of the harmonica to play cross harp, count up a 4th from the original key. So using this example, and depending on the style of music being played, if the song is in the key of G, you could play a G harp in first position, or a C harp in second position and both would "sound right" with the music. Of course the C harp could be made to sound more "bluesy" than the G, and would work better on blues, etc. The most popular brand is Honer, and Lee Oskear starting at about $14. There is a Honer package that includes 7 harmonicas, a case, and a belt for around $130. Good luck!

Answer 2

Mouth Organs, more commonly called Harmonica's are not too hard to play. They are inexpensive, easy to carry in your pocket, and a lot of fun. Playing one will increase your lung capacity and make you breathe easier. Anyone can learn to play one to some degree of satisfaction very quickly but to master one would require taking lessons and practice a lot.

Answer 3

No - but I knew a girl once that could play the mouth organ with her organ hee hee :-)

Answer 4

There are many CDs and DVDs that you can buy. Most players call it "harp" or "harmonica." Mouth organ is a dated term.

Answer 5

you should start out by learning to play the boneaphone. From there, move on to the skinflute. once your lips are conditioned, you should have no trouble transitioning to the mouth organ.

Answer 6

"i_think_i..."- left out the hairy sax.

Answer 7

yes, practice, practice, practice............................................practice.....................practice