Christmas Carols for the 10 hole diatonic harmonica
In thanks to everyone who has tuned in to The Toot Suite this year, we would like to share some seasonal music with you. Grab your harps (and a friend with a harp) and let’s look at Silent Night, Jingle Bells and Angels From The Realms Of Glory. (more…)
The Z Factor
We all know about the X Factor, but have you ever heard of the Z factor? That’s the name of a programme from CBeebies ZingZillas. It features lead singer Zak playing his favourite instrument, the harmonica!
Zak also introduces us to his friend Philip Achille who plays harmonica. Together they perform Do A, Do A, Do A Duet with the band. Click this link and choose The Z Factor video clip to hear the song. Now, all this talk of ZingZillas started us thinking. Are there any more children’s harmonica heroes out there? Let’s see what we discovered… (more…)
During harmonica demonstrations in schools, we sometimes promise to play Lady Gaga on harmonica…. but then we go and play Twinkle Twinkle instead.
Well, just to prove you can play Lady Gaga on the harmonica, here’s the chorus to her hit Poker Face.
Instructions for playing the tune are below. Purple music is for four hole harmonicas, and Orange music is for ten hole harmonicas. 
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How to join in your group lesson if you forget your harmonica
No need to be sad. Everyone forgets things from time to time. That’s ok. The great thing is you can still come and you can still join in!
But before we start, think hard. Perhaps you did remember your harmonica, but you just can’t find it. You’d be amazed how often we discover it was in a school bag all along.
Still not there? Don’t worry. Let’s look on our time together as a music lesson, not just a harmonica lesson. There is plenty to learn, even without a harmonica. Tell your teacher and they’ll help you join in. Here are some great ways you can still have fun..
Can you swallow a harmonica?
This is a question we are always asked when we demonstrate harmonica to groups of children. Especially when they see the smallest harmonica in the world – the Hohner Little Lady.
Technically the answer to this question is yes; although we don’t recommend it and it’s not something we’d ever attempt.
Let’s see what happens when Laurel and Hardy try to out-smart each other on their harmonicas. Stan fools around on a toy trumpet first, then finds his 10 hole harmonica. But can you spot Ollie’s 4 hole Hohner Little Lady half way through? Where do you think it ends up? Remember – please don’t try this yourself!
During a demonstration at school today, the children asked us questions about the harmonica.
Normally they want to know the biggest harmonica in the world, how long it takes to learn, or what happens if you swallow one.
But would you Adam’n’Eve it? (believe it?). Today one dustbin lid (kid) asked if we could play ‘Stenders Theme (the theme to BBC TV’s EastEnders). Strangely it’s not summink we normally knock out, but per’aps we’d better oughta start.
Instructions for playing this tune are below. Remember the Purple music is for four hole harmonicas, and Orange music is for ten hole harmonicas. Roll aht the barrel! (more…)
