One of the first things you notice when you try to play a harmonica is that you are playing more than one note at the same time, since those holes are so darned small. Even though you will eventually use the chords formed by playing more than one note at a time, one of the first hurdles you will need to overcome to play harmonica well is learn to play a clean, clear single note. This column will explain the various ways to get that clear, clean single note.

There are three ways that are commonly used to get a clean single note, pucker (sometimes called “lipping”), U-block, or tongue block. The pucker is just what it sounds like, you just pucker up your lips to get a small opening and place it over a hole. It helps to tip your harp up or down, because then your lips will help seal off the holes on each side of the one you want to play. I happen to tip the back of the harp down, but many tip it up to assist in blocking off the side holes. With a pucker you need to try to get the harp as deep into your mouth as you can and still keep only one note sounding or the sound will be thin. With all methods the deeper you can get the harmonica, the better tone you will have. Advantages of the pucker are that it seems to be the easiest method for most beginners to learn, and most people find it easier to learn bends since the tongue is free to participate in the internal shape changing needed to form a bend. The main disadvantages I have found with the pucker is that it is harder to get good tone, due to not getting the harp deep in your mouth, and you can’t play chords as easily.

With the tongue block method, you put your mouth over about 4 holes (this is usually about the number of holes your mouth naturally covers when you put the harp to your mouth) and cover the 3 to the left with the tip of your tongue, leaving the 4th open to sound at the right corner of your mouth. With a tongue block it is easy to get a chord by simply lifting your tongue while playing. You also tend to get much better tone because the harp is naturally deeper in your mouth. I don't play chromatic yet, but I understand that the tongue block is the preferred method for that instrument. The main disadvantages are that tongue blocking is harder for most to learn initially than the pucker, and it is harder to bend notes with a tongue block, since the end of your tongue is anchored to the harp. Bends are quite possible and not terribly difficult with a tongue block once you become proficient in bending, but it is easier to learn how to bend initially with the pucker method.

The third single note method that is used by a few players is the “U-block." This involves rolling your tongue into a "U" shape and then directing your breath toward a particular hole with your rolled tongue. The sides of your tongue also help to block out the holes on either side of the hole you are playing. Of course, you have to be able to roll your tongue which is genetic, not everyone can do it and it can't be learned. I can roll my tongue, but do not find any advantage in using this method.

It is good to be able to switch back and forth between the pucker and tongue block methods, since some techniques and effects can only be played (or can be played more easily) with one type of block or the other as mentioned above, so you should practice both. It is always a struggle for beginners to get a good single note, but keep at it and it will come easily after a while.

You should know that there is one particular note on every harmonica that usually gives beginners a problem, and that is the draw note on the number two hole. It does not matter what key the harmonica is, that note will always give you trouble in the beginning. The problem is of course that this is the exact note you need the most when playing cross harp (or second position) for blues, since this is the tonic note (or the note that represents the key you are playing). On your C harp this is a G note. What is not apparent to beginners is that there is a different combination of oral cavity shape and breath pressure FOR EACH REED that will cause it to sound its best. Most of the other reeds on the harp are more forgiving of technique, so they will make some sound with almost any attack. The two draw, and sometimes the three draw as well, is not so forgiving, so you will need to experiment with the shape of your oral cavity and your breath pressure until you get the right combination to make that reed sound, and once you get it to sound to find the combination that makes it sound good. In general try cutting down on the amount of air you are trying to draw through the reed, and at the same time try to enlarge the inside of your mouth. Once you have this figured out it will become second nature to adjust your attack on each note to make it sound its best.