| The humble harmonica has to be one of the | | | | was at this exact moment in time that I fell in |
| easiest musical instruments to master in the | | | | love with, and made a decision to, learn to play |
| world. Okay, so there are some great Folk and | | | | the harmonica. |
| Blues musicians out there that can make this little | | | | It was some weeks later before I found a place |
| mouth piece talk their language, but what I'm | | | | to purchase one. Funnily enough, there's not a lot |
| talking about here is for Joe Average, without a | | | | of call for music stores in the foot hills of the |
| musical bone in his body, being able to knock out | | | | Himalayas or along the swamps of India, so it |
| a melody in no time at all. What other instrument | | | | wasn't until I'd landed in Georgetown, on the |
| allows you to do that? You really can learn how | | | | Malaysian island of Penang, that I found a rickety |
| to play the harmonica in a matter of days or | | | | little shop that had harmonicas on sale for a mere |
| weeks, depending on your commitment. | | | | two dollars a piece. I could hardly wait to get |
| Most instruments require you get a beginners | | | | started, and so rushed off excitedly to my grimy |
| book, or if you're really enthusiastic, a private | | | | guest house where I began to lean to play my |
| tutor or perhaps joining a local class so that you | | | | new toy. |
| can get a head start with your strumming, | | | | It proved to be a great companion on my travels. |
| blowing, picking, or beating, depending what it is | | | | The first tune I knocked out was the Christmas |
| you're trying to master. But with the pocked | | | | carol 'Silent Night'. Well it was December! But soon |
| sized mouth organ, there's no such learning curve. | | | | afterwards I was doing impressive little |
| Just pick one up from your local music store and | | | | instrumentals and jamming sessions with fellow |
| learn to play the harmonica your way. | | | | travelers who were trudging the circuit with bulky |
| I remember the time I purchased my first ever | | | | guitars strapped to their backs. |
| harmonica. It was back in the 1980's when I was | | | | Whether you're planning a long trip, or just looking |
| bumming my way around the world, that I struck | | | | for something to do outside the virtual world of a |
| a fascination with the sounds and notes that could | | | | computer, then why not learn to play the |
| be plucked from this musical mouthpiece. It all | | | | harmonica? It'll give you heaps of fun without the |
| began when I came across this Danish couple | | | | frustration that comes with more serious musical |
| who were journeying through Western Asia. | | | | instruments. Hey, who knows where it could lead |
| Tucked away in their backpacks were an Irish tin | | | | you Mr. Dylan! |
| whistle and a tuppeny ha'penny harmonica. After | | | | If you really get a knack for the hand harp, you |
| dinner one evening, on the outskirts of the | | | | could then progress onto to say Chicago Blues, |
| Chitwan jungle of Nepal, they began to entertain a | | | | Country, Bluegrass, Folk, or even some unique |
| small group of us happy hippies with their music. It | | | | style of your own. Good luck! |