Hold the harmonica with the thumb and index finger of your left hand slightly to the left of the center of the harmonica. Ensure that the low notes are on the left side of the harmonica. Slide the harmonica to the base of your thumb.
Hold the harmonica with the tip of the thumb and index finger on your right hand touching the tip of the thumb and index finger on your left hand.
Cup the front of the harmonica with the three remaining fingers on your left hand. Wrap your right hand over your left to create a large airtight cup.
Practice blowing and drawing a single note by covering a single hole with your mouth. Play by breathing through the reeds rather than sucking or blowing air through them.
Open your hands while playing to increasing the size of the airtight cup and produce higher volume. Close the airtight cup to mute the sound.
Play chords by covering several holes on the harmonica and drawing or blowing air through all the reeds at the same time.
Use varying breathing patterns to create different rhythms while you play.