Udemy
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.
Learn More
Your cart is empty.
Keep shopping
Learn to play HARMONICA, the easiest instrument to pick up!
Bestseller
Rating: 4.4 out of 5(7,977 ratings)
49,455 students
Created byBen Hewlett
Last updated 3/2026
English

What you'll learn

  • how to play the 12 bar blues, chords, rhythms, tone and chugging
  • how to breathe properly, use straight and swing rhythms
  • how to play single notes with pucker and tongue-blocked embouchures
  • scales, modes and positions, single/double/triple tonguing
  • how to use major and minor pentatonic scales for improvising and soloing
  • how to bend notes, use the hands properly, different types of vibratos and tremolos
  • how to play in the Masters' styles - Sonny Terry, Sonnyboy Williamson etc
  • Learn authentic Blues Harmonica techniques: Bending, tongue blocking, and 12-bar riffs to jam with any band
  • Go from beginner to pro: Master the harmonica, learn note bending, and play blues riffs with confidence
  • get to grips with Harmonica, Blues Harmonica, Diatonic Harmonica
  • Master Note Bending (or Bending Notes). 12 Bar Blues. Tongue Blocking and Pucker. Blues Riffs and Licks.

Course content

25 sections248 lectures23h 46m total length
  • Introduction and overview1:59

    Welcome to the course! This is a bundle of my best, most popular and most recent courses bundles together into a seamless learning package. Take them in order please. If you are not a beginner just skim through the first ones until you hit your level - you are bound to learn something new! I hope this brings you great joy - if so my work is done.

  • Let's get started - this is the 'HaHa HooHoo' warm-up4:35

    Explore a ha ha hoo hoo warm-up for harmonica using holes one and two with one hand to improve breathing and prepare throat vibrato, inspired by Joe Felisco.

  • Introduction to this first section3:49

    Introduction

  • DAY 1 Which harmonica do I need?4:18

    Which harmonica do I need?

    Simple answer - any 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C.

  • Your first Blues Riff9:09

    Learn your first blues riff by practicing the ha ha rhythm with breathing in out and out in on the bottom holes, focusing on chords and second-position play in G.

  • How to practice - quick and dirty4:25

    Master a five-part harmonica practice plan—warm up, techniques, repertoire, ear training, and warm down—balancing breathing, single notes, bending, and skill-appropriate repertoire.

  • 50 reasons to play harmonica2:44

Requirements

  • All you need is a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C.
  • Even if you've been told you are musically hopeless you can play harmonica! The famous harp slinger Lee Oskar was told that at school!
  • You don't need any previous musical experience
  • Tone deaf? no problem! You can play harmonica.

Description

*updated 2026*  Udemy's BEST SELLING ultimate and complete harmonica course - with over 40,000 students.

No harmonica experience? No problem, I'll walk you through nice and slow.


Did you ever fool around with a harmonica as a kid?

Would you like to learn to play the harmonica better now?

Do you play guitar, piano, ukulele or are you a singer and want to add harmonica into your act?

Do you want an instrument that's easy to pick up, store and carry?

Did you inherit a harmonica and want to pay respect to the original owner??

Where you inspired by Bob Dylan, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Mick Jagger?

Would you like to play in a church, campfire, band or jam session?

Do you think harmonica will help with COPD or other health issues?

Is this a retirement 'bucket-list' project?

Here are 50 reasons to learn harmonica:

Learning the harmonica is one of the most rewarding "bang-for-your-buck" hobbies you can pick up. Here are 50 reasons to start today, broken down by why it’s awesome: [1]

The "Cool Factor" & Versatility

  1. Instant Blues Vibe: Nothing captures the "blues" sound quite like a harmonica.

  2. Genre-Hopping: It fits in Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Jazz, and even Classical.

  3. Bob Dylan Vibes: You can play it hands-free with a neck rack while playing guitar.

  4. Cinematic Sound: It’s the soul of Every Western movie soundtrack ever.

  5. The "Pocket" Instrument: It’s the only instrument that truly fits in your jeans pocket.

  6. Expressive Bending: You can "bend" notes to make the instrument literally wail or cry.

  7. Unique Tone: No two players sound exactly the same; your mouth shape changes the tone.

  8. Vibrato: You can create a beautiful "wah-wah" effect using just your hands. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Mental & Physical Health

  1. Breath Control: It’s essentially a musical breathing exercise.

  2. Lung Capacity: It is often used as "Harmonica Therapy" for people with COPD or asthma.

  3. Stress Relief: Deep rhythmic breathing is a natural way to lower cortisol.

  4. Brain Exercise: Learning tabs and melodies keeps your memory sharp.

  5. Hand-Eye Coordination: Coordinating your breath with hand movements builds motor skills.

  6. Meditation: The repetitive nature of practice can be very "zen."

  7. Mood Booster: It’s hard to feel down when you’re playing an upbeat campfire tune. [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Practicality & Portability

  1. Inexpensive: You can get a professional-quality Hohner or Suzuki for under $50.

  2. Low Maintenance: No strings to change, no reeds to wet (unlike a sax).

  3. Indestructible: Most modern harmonicas are built like little tanks.

  4. Play Anywhere: Practice in the car, on a hike, or at the beach.

  5. No Power Needed: It’s 100% acoustic and always ready to go.

  6. Quiet Practice: You can practice softly without waking the neighbors.

  7. Easy Storage: You can fit an entire "band’s worth" of keys in a small lunchbox. [12, 13, 14, 15, 16]

Ease of Learning

  1. Always in Tune: Unless you break a reed, it never goes out of tune.

  2. No "Wrong" Notes: On a standard diatonic, almost every note you blow or draw sounds good together.

  3. Fast Progress: You can learn a basic song (like "Oh Susanna") in 10 minutes.

  4. Simple Notation: "Tabs" are just numbers; you don't need to read sheet music.

  5. Rhythm & Lead: You can play chords and melody at the same time.

  6. Intuitive: It becomes an extension of your own breath very quickly. [17, 18, 19, 20, 21]

Social & Performance

  1. The Ultimate Icebreaker: Pulling it out at a party always gets a reaction.

  2. Jam Session Ready: Most guitarists love having a harp player join in.

  3. Great for Campfires: It provides the perfect background for outdoor hangouts.

  4. Busking: It’s the most portable way to make a few bucks on the street.

  5. Join a Band: Good harmonica players are surprisingly rare and in high demand.

  6. Collaborative: It blends beautifully with vocals and acoustic instruments.

  7. Gift Potential: It’s a great skill to use for playing "Happy Birthday" or holiday songs. [22, 23, 24, 25, 26]

Personal Growth & Fun

  1. Sense of Achievement: Mastering a difficult "blow bend" feels amazing.

  2. Expressive Freedom: It’s one of the best instruments for pure improvisation.

  3. Historical Connection: You’re joining a legacy of legends like Little Walter and Stevie Wonder.

  4. Self-Reliance: You don't need a backing track to sound "full."

  5. Cheap Obsession: Collecting different keys (C, G, A, etc.) is an affordable hobby.

  6. Confidence Builder: Playing in front of others becomes easier when the instrument is small.

  7. A Lifelong Skill: You can play it from age 5 to 95.

  8. Improves Ear Training: Because you can't see the notes, you learn to "feel" them.

  9. Conversation Starter: People will always ask you about it.

  10. It’s "Human": Because it uses your breath, it’s the closest an instrument gets to singing.

  11. Nostalgia: It has a "vintage" charm that never goes out of style.

  12. Travel Companion: It’s the perfect solo hobby for long trips.

  13. Creativity: You can experiment with "cross-harp" to find new scales.

  14. Beatboxing: You can combine harmonica with beatboxing for a modern twist.

  15. Because it's fun: Plain and simple, it’s just a blast to play. [27, 28, 29]


If you thought YES  to any of those who are in the right place.

This course will help you become a great harmonica player. All you need to do is follow the lectures in order plus some practice and you will start to feel a surge of confidence as you see your skills increasing daily.

This will be exciting, fun, and challenging – I think you will thoroughly enjoy it!

I think people recognise my passion for the harmonica. I’m not someone who plays bass, guitar, piano, drums and sings, records, gigs…I just (mostly) teach harmonica.

Sure I perform sometimes, gig with friends, go to jams, do corporate harp demonstrations but MOSTLY I focus on playing, learning and teaching harmonica.

So if you have a Hohner harmonica, a blues harmonica, hohner special 20, a chromatic harmonica (ok, not that one) a blues harp, a hohner big river, a harmonica holder, a harmonica set…you can start to play now.

Give me a shout if you need any help please.

MY PERSONAL GUARANTEE - I AM SO CONFIDENT YOU WILL LOVE  THIS COURSE THAT IF YOU DON'T, AND SO FAR ALL BUT ONE PERSON WAS HAPPY, I WILL REFUND YOU ALL THE MONEY (within  30 days of purchasing) WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. THIS IRONCLAD GUARANTEE  IS BACKED UP BY UDEMY.


Who this course is for:

  • This is for you if you fancy having a go at the harmonica.
  • And if you've played a bit and need a refresh you will be amazed what you learn on this course.
  • Intermediate players will also learn heaps. Look through the lectures and see what we cover - everyone will learn something.
  • We all had a harmonica as a kid - now' it's time to reconnect with this amazing little toy!