How to Hold a Harmonica

1. Make sure the harmonica is right-side up: The holes of the harmonica should be facing you, with those that produce the lowest notes on the left and those that produce the highest notes on the right. Most harmonicas have the numbers 1–10 embossed on the top cover plate over each hole. The leftmost hole should be numbered “1,” and the rightmost hole should be numbered “10.”
2. Grasp the harmonica with your left hand: Hold the harmonica in your left hand, with the left side of the harmonica pushed firmly up against the flesh between the thumb and index finger of your left hand. The fingers on your left hand should grip the top cover plate while your thumb grips the bottom cover plate. The front of the harmonica should protrude from your grip by about 1/4".
3. Support the harmonica with your right hand: Place your right hand behind the harmonica with your right thumb gripping the rightmost side of the instrument. The entire back of the harmonica should rest against the top of your right palm.
4. Make a cup with your hands: Place the fingers of your right hand over the fingers of your left hand to create a cup around the entire back of the harmonica. The cup forms an airtight trap that you can open and close by moving the fingers of your right hand. When you open the cup, the volume of the sound you produce increases. As you close the cup, the volume decreases. Opening and closing the cup can also create a variety of other effects, though at first you’ll play most notes with the cup partially open in order to produce notes of regular volume.