One of the most popular musical instrument for all ages and stages of development is the “Harmonica”. A Chinese Emperor named Huang Ti is credited with having invented the modern version’s ancient ancestor, “Sheng”, some 4,500 years ago! The Sheng was a device of five bamboo tubes, each holding a reed of different lengths capable of producing a primitive five note scale. It was introduced to Europe in the 18th Century by an anonymous traveler and over the years has developed into its present version.

The modern harmonica’s lineage began in 1857 in the town of Trossingenon the edge of Germany’s Black Forest. A young clockmaker by the name of Matthias Hohner made improvements on this “odd little instrument” developed 30 years earlier. Matthias Hohner soon found that developing the harmonica was more rewarding and profitable than the making of clocks. Trossingen is still, the home of world’s largest manufacturer of Harmonicas, M. Hohner, Inc. We would like to give a special thanks to the Hohner Corporation for providing much of the material in this best selling title, Beginners Harmonica.

Beginners Harmonica distributed by Santorella Publications, teaches “how to choose” and care for your harmonica as well as “how to play” this fun loving instrument. Although we suggest seeking the advice or guidance from someone with experience, the harmonica is majoritively “self-taught” and easy to learn. It’s as simple as “breathe-in” - - “blow out” - - It’s a piece of cake! Just follow the easy lessons in Beginners Harmonica and you’ll be “Jimmy Crack Corn’n” in no time at all. See all the songs you’ll be playing in minutes;  

Alouette • Alphabet Song • America • Annie Laurie • Arkansas Traveller Polka • Aura Lee • Bicycle Built For Two • Brahms Lullaby • Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie • Dixie • Down In The Valley • Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes • Foe He’s A Jolly Good Fellow • Frere Jacques • Good Night Ladies • He’s Got The Whole World • Home Sweet Home • Hot Cross Buns • How Dry I Am • Jingle Bells • Joy To The World • Lightly Row • Little Brown Jug • London Bridge • Mary Had A Little Lamb • Marines Hymn • My Darling Clementine • Oh, Susanna • On Top Of Old Smokey • Shenandoah • Silent Night • Skip to My Lou • Streets Of Laredo • This Old Man • Three Blind Mice • Tom Dooley • The Saints Go Marching In