Harmonica Beginner Method w. Diagrams/Tablatures for Hohner Speedy Armonica; Peripateti/ Self-Study

A resource for class or peripatetic teachers in primary education to assist in teaching total beginners.
Intended as a gentle and gradual introduction to music reading.

You will get two PDF booklets:

• Harmonica notation and diagrams
  • it includes how-to guide
• Piano notation

THE INSTRUMENT
The notation is intended for the Hohner Speedy Harmonica; or any harmonica containing 4 holes with the 8 tones of the C Major scale.

THE METHOD
The Beginner level consists of 12 lessons which are essentially 8-bar music exercises. Each exercise introduces a new note/rest length or another musical symbol, with lessons named after the topic they cover. The notations are formatted in landscape orientation for use on electronic devices or printing.

FOR WHOM?
This method is recommended for students in primary school education without any previous music knowledge.

HARMONICA NOTATION & DIAGRAMS
To assist young learners, the notes are colour-coded by pitch. The harmonica diagrams are the common signs for blow/draw, widely used around the world.
The 12 lessons cover only 4 note pitches; the rest are introduced in the Intermediate level

Lesson names / topics covered

1. Music Fractions (1/4 + 1/8 notes, C-D )
2. Half note
3. Quarter Rest
4. Half Rest
5. Three Notes (C-D-E)
6. Repeat
7. Dotted Half Note
8. Dotted Quarter Note
9. Four Notes (C-D-E-F)
10. Waltz
11. Pickup bar
12. Triplet

HOW TO GUIDE
The Harmonica HowTo Guide is a single-page resource added to the notation booklet.
It’s a tool to help young learners visualise and internalise the basics of holding and playing the harmonica.
There are a few harmonica diagram systems - this method uses vertical arrows with hole numbers, which is used by Hohner and generally for children’s harmonica diagrams.

PIANO NOTATION
Easy piano notation is provided for teachers or intermediate/advanced students, with the right-hand notation following the melody, and the left-hand providing an accompaniment. The piano notation also includes chord names.

OTHER BEGINNER-LEVEL RESOURCES
This resource pack is in the C-major scale. Other resources in this series that use the same melodies include C-instrument, Ukulele ©, Recorder (D*), Ocarina (D*) and Guitar (G).
/*D - some melodies are modified due to the range and fingering accessibility for beginners./

NEXT-LEVEL RESOURCES
The ‘Beginner level precedes the ‘Intermediate’ and is followed by the ‘Nursery Rhymes 1’ level.

PHILOSOPHY (the purpose of the method)
By simplifying notation and adding colours, note names, tabs and diagrams, make reading music notation easy and accessible, allowing the young performers to focus on what matters: rhythm, tempo, fingering, note lengths and clear tone,
The melodies are made as interesting as possible within their limitations, allowing a wide range of young learners to understand and follow their inner logic.