Harmonica Notes Chart
A 10-hole diatonic harmonica in C has 20 reeds and 19 different notes, from C4 (middle C, blow 1) to C7 (blow 10). Blow holes 1, 4, 7 and 10 all play C. Holes 4 to 7 give a full C major scale: blow 4 C, draw 4 D, blow 5 E, draw 5 F, blow 6 G, draw 6 A, draw 7 B and blow 7 C.
Updated · By the Classfern Music Department
Works in the UK and the US. This version uses US words and grades (measure, half step, elementary school); the UK version uses bar, semitone and Key Stages. · UK version of this page
Key facts
- 10 holes, 20 reeds, 19 different notes (blow 3 and draw 2 are both G4).
- Range on a C harmonica: C4 (middle C) to C7, three octaves.
- Blow holes 1, 4, 7 and 10 all play C, the key note.
- Holes 4 to 7 give a full major scale: +4 −4 +5 −5 +6 −6 −7 +7.
- Without bends, holes 1 to 3 have no F or A, and the top octave has no B.
What notes are on a C harmonica?
A C harmonica plays blow notes C E G C E G C E G C and draw notes D G B D F A B D F A, from hole 1 to hole 10. Every blow note is part of a C major chord, and the draw notes make G and D minor chords. Blow 1 is middle C (C4) and blow 10 is C7.
| Hole | Blow (+) | Draw (−) | Draw bends | Blow bends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C4 | D4 | −1' C♯4 | – |
| 2 | E4 | G4 | −2' F♯4, −2'' F4 | – |
| 3 | G4 | B4 | −3' B♭4, −3'' A4, −3''' A♭4 | – |
| 4 | C5 | D5 | −4' C♯5 | – |
| 5 | E5 | F5 | – | – |
| 6 | G5 | A5 | −6' A♭5 | – |
| 7 | C6 | B5 | – | – |
| 8 | E6 | D6 | – | +8' E♭6 |
| 9 | G6 | F6 | – | +9' F♯6 |
| 10 | C7 | A6 | – | +10' B6, +10'' B♭6 |
This layout is called Richter tuning. It was designed so that you can play chords by blowing or drawing on three holes at once, which is why some scale notes are missing at the low end. Classfern’s harmonica play-along uses the same data, so its tab matches this chart.
Harmonica notes chart with sound, in any key
Press a hole to hear it. Choose another key and every note name changes to match that harmonica. Tab and holes stay the same in every key.
Showing a C harmonica.
Blow holes (+)
Draw holes (−)
Sounds are made in your browser. This tool never uses the microphone, and nothing is recorded, saved or sent.
How do you play a single note on a harmonica?
To play a single note on harmonica, pucker your lips into a small, round “oo” shape so that air goes through just one hole, and breathe gently. Start on hole 4: if you hear two notes, make the opening smaller or move a little to one side. Tongue blocking, where your tongue covers the holes you do not want, works too.
- Put the harmonica deep between your lips, so the moist inside of your lips touches it, not just the edges.
- Make a small “oo” opening, about the width of one hole.
- Blow very gently on hole 4. A slow, warm breath works better than a hard puff.
- Slide left to hole 3 and right to hole 5 without stopping the breath. Listen for one clear note each time.
- Practice the scale on holes 4 to 7 until every note is clean.
What notes are on a harmonica in other keys?
Every diatonic harmonica has the same layout of holes and the same tab; only the starting note changes. Blow 4 is always the key note: C on a C harmonica, G on a G harmonica and A on an A harmonica. G to B harmonicas are pitched below C, and D♭ to F♯ above.
| Harmonica key | Blow 1 | Blow 4 (key note) | Draw 2 (second-position home note) | Blues key (second position) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | G3 | G4 | D4 | D |
| A♭ | A♭3 | A♭4 | E♭4 | E♭ |
| A | A3 | A4 | E4 | E |
| B♭ | B♭3 | B♭4 | F4 | F |
| B | B3 | B4 | F♯4 | F♯ |
| C | C4 | C5 | G4 | G |
| D♭ | D♭4 | D♭5 | A♭4 | A♭ |
| D | D4 | D5 | A4 | A |
| E♭ | E♭4 | E♭5 | B♭4 | B♭ |
| E | E4 | E5 | B4 | B |
| F | F4 | F5 | C5 | C |
| F♯ | F♯4 | F♯5 | C♯5 | C♯ |
Second position, or “cross harp”, means playing a C harmonica in G. Draw 2 becomes your home note, which suits the blues. So to play along with a blues in E, pick up an A harmonica.
Which key of harmonica should a beginner buy?
Buy a 10-hole diatonic harmonica in C. It sits in the middle of the range, so it is neither too squeaky nor too hard to bend, and almost all beginner books, tabs and Classfern’s song pages are written for it.
Choose one with a plastic or metal comb if it will be shared at school or cleaned often (see how to clean a harmonica). Classfern is not connected with or endorsed by any harmonica maker.
Quick quiz: harmonica notes
Marked by Classfern 5 multiple-choice questions on the Classfern lesson engine. Your answers stay on this device.
More from Classfern on lessonplanner.info: how to read harmonica tabs, the harmonica chord chart and the diatonic harmonica guide.
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