Bits and Pieces
Simple Things You Can Do Today To Be A Better Harmonica Player
Improvement is a puzzle.
One practice, one day, one gig fitting together over a long period of time that culminates in eventual growth. Many players get so caught up in what the pieces are supposed to look like that they never begin the puzzle. We get so caught up in making every step look perfect that we never move our feet. We need “this” custom harmonica or “that” perfect amp. Then, and only then, will we be ready to begin our journey toward getting better. It’s simply put, procrastinating bullshit.
The fastest way to improve is to start with small, actionable steps toward better harmonica playing. Over the years, as you become a more advanced player, this will involve unlearning many bad habits, correcting technique, and re-learning many foundational skills.
In other words, it’s better to begin with a good foundation than to have to go back and overcorrect as you get better.
In light of that, I have come up with a list of things I think all harmonica players can benefit from, no matter where they are in their journey. These are habits or practices that may seem mundane or dubious, but I promise you they will be very beneficial over time.
Watch the placement of your hands on the harmonica. Keep your hands cupped, not loose. See how the sound changes. Trust me, this makes a world of difference once you start playing amplified. Even when you are in the midst of a lazy practice session, pay attention to how you hold the harmonica. For years, I thought I had crappy amplified tone… and I did. Why? Because I wasn’t holding the harmonica properly.
Listen to at least one harmonica-centric song a day. I’m not saying you have to binge whole records, but keeping a light diet of good harmonica music in the background of your life helps stoke your subconscious with new ideas and interests. Listen to a wide variety of players, not just blues and not just jazz. Explore the spectrum of the instrument.
Try to hum riffs before you play them. This is a great ear training exercise and will help you when you start breaking down solos. It will also get you on your way to singing (something I think is crucial for all harmonica players to do a little of). Even if you never intend to front your own band, singing is something we could all benefit from. Don’t worry about being judged by singers or other players: this is about your progression.
Keep your instruments clean. If you don’t know how, there are tons of YouTube videos on how to clean and maintain harmonicas.
Keep a practice journal. Write down what you’re working on, different licks you like, players you are studying, and what you want to learn. So much of improvement comes down to execution, and keeping a log of your practice time is a reminder to yourself that you are taking this seriously, that it’s not a spectator sport. Putting your process down on paper is a time-honored tradition amongst creative people.
When trying to come up with new riffs, start using the different iterations of the 3D to both begin and end your phrases. Trust me, this will help you greatly and become a great intonation practice. On the diatonic, the 3D is the most important hole. Know it inside and out.
Set up a lesson with a teacher you want to learn from. Lessons are worth their weight in gold, and as harmonica players, we have a vast array of teachers to choose from. If you don’t want to shell out the money, I’d recommend watching a YouTube video on the technique you want to learn. But, if I’m being perfectly frank, just spend the money on the teacher. It will be better for you in the long run. Plus, developing a friendship with another harmonica player is always better than watching a video online.
Write down a long-term goal, a short-term goal, and an everyday win. Short-term goals could be as simple as playing a 2D clean. Sounds simple, but it’s actually one of the hardest, most important things you can work on. Short-term goals motivate you to keep showing up because they are just hard enough, but not so difficult that they feel out of reach. Long-term goals could be learning whole solos, getting the 3D bends all in tune, and microtonal bending. An everyday win is something so achievable that you can do it every day. For me, this is simply doing intonation work at my piano, harmonica in hand, for five minutes. These micro sessions are how I stay sharp and consistent when my mind and body don’t want to play anymore: you have to make the goal so ridiculously easy you can’t say no to it. All three goal systems keep me energized and offer enough variety to maintain my interest.
Learn both tongue blocking and lip pursing. It shouldn’t be one or the other. It’s 2026. All techniques are valid and help you express yourself more effectively.
Don’t obsess about buying your next harmonica. Instead, use that money on something like a lesson, workshop, or other educational tool. Your gear is not a limiting factor: your distraction is.
Keep a list of questions. A student of mine came to me the other day with a notebook and a list of questions. As a teacher, this was incredibly gratifying. This is also a great practice for any level player. Sometimes, the mystery is what keeps us coming back to improve on the harmonica.
Read some harmonica books. My friend Liam Ward shared a great list on his website a few weeks ago (which you will see yours truly on).
Pay attention to your posture. When you can, practice standing up. This makes a massive difference when you play live.
Little bits and pieces over time cumulatively create a better player. It’s not custom harmonicas, fancy gear, or prodigious talent: it’s bits and pieces piled up over the long run.
-Shane
