This week’s harmonica lesson looks at how to play a glissando on the instrument. I have also included three example licks for you to play. You can download the free transcription of them by clicking the button below.
You will need a harmonica in the key of C.
Click here to download lesson resources
What is a glissando?
A glissando is a continuous slide between two notes either on an inhale or an exhale. You need to move the harmonica in one fluid motion making sure that you don’t linger on any notes.
You need to be really aware of what note you are aiming for on the instrument. Try playing this note before you attempt to slide up or down to it. This will give you an idea of the pitch you are aiming for and will help you stop in the right position.
Audio Clips
Lick 1
Lick 2
Lick 3
Move your hands
As usual, make sure you are moving your hands with the harmonica rather than holding the harmonica still and moving your head. This way you will be much more accurate.
Practice each lick slowly
Try practicing each of the three licks slowly with a beat (use a metronome if you can) before you speed them up. Also try to play the glissando slowly at first to make sure you are passing through each note evenly.
If your lips get stuck
It is very common to feel dry and get stuck to the front of the harmonica. To counteract this try licking your lips and if that does not work then you can apply a very small quantity of vaseline to the front of the harmonica or your lips. Don’t use to much otherwise you might gunk up your instrument!
Click here to download lesson resources
Thank you
Thank you so much for taking part in this lesson. I hope it was useful for you. If you enjoyed it please feel free to share it with your friends on Facebook and/or Twitter.
If you have any questions just send me a wee email.
See you next Wednesday for the next harmonica lesson!
Tomlin love these lessons.
Thanks Forrest! 🙂
Great lesson. Really enjoyed it.
I love your simple and effective explanations, many thanks for all
My pleasure Eric – I’m glad you enjoy them 🙂
Tomlin, love the new website. Hope the new flat is working.
Thank you! I’m glad you like the new site. The new flat is great – we’re settling in nicely 🙂
Dear Tom,
first I apologize for my English, but I can understand your lessons :-). I think it is crazy, but I start playing harmonica in this year, in my
sixtytwo. Maybe, I am yours the oldest student. But I have a simple goal. I will not die, before I will be very good harmonica player. I know, you are young, so you maybe not understant my thoughts, but for me it is a great motivation. You know, for me it is more harder to learn new things, and take me more time. But I try my best. And now my note. If I have to train new short licks, it is very hard for me, because there is many new parts, what I need to train. And this creates some block in my mind. But when I have longer part and mostly I can play this and there is short part what I have to learn it, my mind will tell myself, yes I mostly know it, but I must learn only this small part, and all seems to me easier.
But it is my opinion, and you are very good teacher. There are many very good harmonica players, but only a few good teachers. I have spent
a lot of time of internet to be able recognize good harmonica players and good harmonica teachers all around the word. And finally I do not know why, but I like Scotland and its people, if I never have been there.
Good luck and I wish you only all the best.
One old man from Czech Republic, Jiri Olsar.
Hi Jiri – lovely to hear from you. You are definitely ‘not’ my oldest student. Age doesn’t matter anyway as long as you enjoy the process and have fun with the instrument.
Hopefully see you in Scotland soon!
Tomlin you are the best ! Thanks a lot