Harmonica
Blow and draw notes on a pocket-sized mouth organ, from blues bends to folk tunes.
Harmonica
- To start
- $30
- Each month
- Nothing
- Time
- 2 hours a week
- Sessions
- 10 minutes or more
- Where
- At home
- Who with
- On your own
Is it for you?
- It's wide open for your own ideas.
- It has a steady rhythm you can sink into.
- It slows your head right down.
- It asks almost nothing of your body.
You’ll like it if
- You want to build something of your own
- You want to switch off
- You want to get really good at something
Maybe not if
- You want a workout
- You want something fast and exciting
- You want it to be social
What it feels like
HarmonicaAverage performance hobbyCalm
Company
Physical effort
Creative freedom
Brainwork
Hands-on
Outdoors
Quick wins
$30Cheaper to start than 55% of hobbies
NothingAll of the cost is upfront
$30About $0.29 an hour at 2 hours a week
What to buy first
Buy this firstBeginner HarmonicaSee our tested picks
Borrow from a friend or buy second-hand first. Upgrade once you know you will keep going.
Your first session
Get clean single notes from a harmonica in C, then play a simple folk tune from tabs.
10 minutes or moreAt homeVery easy to start
Questions
How much does harmonica cost to start?
About $30 if you rent or borrow where people usually do, and nothing each month after that.
How much time does harmonica take?
About 2 hours a week to enjoy it and get better, in sessions of 10 minutes or more.
Can I do harmonica at home?
Yes. Fits in a bag.
Is harmonica good for beginners?
Yes. It is very easy to start as a complete beginner. A good first session: Get clean single notes from a harmonica in C, then play a simple folk tune from tabs.
Do I need other people for harmonica?
No. It works fine on your own.