Are you interested in learning how to play the harmonica? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, online courses provide an effective way to achieve your goals. In this article, we will explore 10 of the best online harmonica lessons available. These resources are often highly detailed and demand significant commitment.
1. Artist Works – Harmonica with Howard Levy
This is a course providing hundreds of video lessons and backing tracks for all levels. What sets it apart is the unique ability to submit your own videos for personalized review by Grammy-winning instructor Howard Levy, ensuring deep, personalized skill development.
2. Learn to Play Harmonica on Udemy
This harmonica course is designed for building foundational skills, covering techniques for diatonic harmonica, country, blues, and rock. Led by Ben Hewlett, this program offers engaging and detailed lessons on bending notes, chords, and the twelve-bar blues structure.
3. David Gage's Harmonica Lessons
This resource is ideal for beginners seeking paid video lessons focusing on the four fundamental techniques: single notes, breathing, bending, and holding. David Gage’s structured content provides instant feedback and guidance for a fast, deep understanding of the basics.
4. Harmonica.com
Harmonica.com offers the "Beginner to Boss" system, a comprehensive step-by-step program to equip you with the skills to play your favorite songs and jam. The lessons progress from the basics to advanced techniques like scales, chords, and various harmonica playing styles.
5. Learn The Harmonica
This resource offers a wide range of free online harmonica lessons (via YouTube and website) for beginners and experienced players. Membership grants access to premium step-by-step courses, solo studies, and exclusive backing tracks to expand your repertoire.
6. Harmonica Academy
This online platform offers a well-structured curriculum, guiding members from beginner to advanced levels across different "years" of study. The platform features free courses on fundamentals, with paid membership accessing a large harmonica library and additional lessons.
7. TakeLessons
TakeLessons.com was a platform that connected students with harmonica teachers for one-on-one live lessons, covering everything from basic techniques to advanced repertoire. (Note: This service is no longer available.)
8. Harmonica Breeze
Harmonica Breeze provides lessons suitable for all levels, focusing on building a foundation and advancing skills with engaging content. For advanced learners, they offer comprehensive books that include songs from various genres and techniques.
9. Playharmonica
This versatile platform offers online harmonica lessons for all levels and budgets, with a variety of comprehensive courses like "Blues Harmonica Level 1" and "The 30-Day Challenge." Most lessons are taught by experienced teacher Ben Hewlett.
10. Tomlin Harmonica School
Tomlin Harmonica School offers thousands of paid lessons structured in a clear, step-by-step manner. These lessons cover a wide range of topics, including blues harmonica, providing personalized support and study pieces necessary for mastering the instrument.
Which Harmonica Course is best for you?
Many online courses, from those by Howard Levy to curricula on Udemy, offer deep theory but demand significant time, budget, and a lengthy commitment. After reviewing these options, you'll see the fastest way to build confidence and technique is often not more lessons, but more music. If your goal is to play real, recognizable songs straight away without getting bogged down in theory or year-long programs, you don't need another course—you need a focused library of songs. This is why the Harmonica Songbook is your perfect next step.
The Only Harmonica Songbook You'll Ever Need
This focused collection of 80 expertly arranged tabs, specifically designed to bypass the theory sections and eliminate the frustration of searching for music. This resource is engineered to build your confidence through immediate playing and get you straight to the enjoyable part—making music. End the analysis paralysis and start performing today.
