Question for my seasoned harmonica players, Lee Oskar in C, does my 2 hole sound messed up. I’m sure it’s just me but I’m sucking and blowing the same on all 3 holes(1,2,3). 2 just doesn’t wanna do it as easily as 1 and 3. I can also blow and draw a lot harder on 1 and 2 and when I do the same on 2 it gets really bad. https://youtube.com/shorts/RB44jrJ8M8Q?si=1xOoobBXSFkju9yy
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It may need gapping slightly on the blow note, or it may not be centered in the gap properly, or worst case you’ve blown too hard and flattened it out.
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Hi! It’s a common issue with the 2nd hole on the harmonica, especially for beginners or even seasoned players who might not play it often. The 2nd hole requires a more controlled airflow compared to the 1st and 3rd holes. Here’s what you can do:
- Focus on relaxed breathing: Use your diaphragm, not just your mouth. Think of it as gently “yawning” inward to pull the air, rather than forcefully sucking.
- Lighten the airflow: Blowing or drawing too hard can make the note sound bad or even cut off completely. Try drawing gently and steadily until you hear the note vibrate clearly.
- Compare with the 3rd hole blow: Both 2-draw and 3-blow produce the same note (G on a harmonica in C). Practice switching between them slowly to match the tone.
- Relax your face and throat: Any tension in your throat or face can block the note. Stay loose and centered.
- Test the harmonica: If you can, have an experienced player try the 2nd hole. If it sounds fine for them, it’s definitely just a matter of technique.
**The 2nd hole is tricky but, with practice, it becomes natural. Keep experimenting, and you’ll get it! **
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great info @gerrix !! Thank you!
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HaHa, years & years ago when I first started I totally bought a new harmonica cause I was sure the 2 draw broken…next day I watched a John Glidden YouTube video (like 11 years ago) and he said ‘… your 2 draw not broken…’
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@davemacinnh @gerrix has given you the right answer. It’s you, not the harmonica! 
Very normal at this stage in the game to struggle with this issue. Rock on! 
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@luke Thanks a lot for the mention! Happy to help and contribute! 
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Dave
I have an Oskar that gets very little attention for this vary reason. I closed the gap a bit and it helped but the first 3 holes just don’t play clean and sharp. I am not a seasoned player but I do know slop in notes. I have had a tech go over it and did the best he could. Bottom line is its easy to play single nots but not a harp i would used as a primary.
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Good to know! I have now been primarily playing my SP20. I ordered a couple custom ones as well.
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I think that’s a smart move.
Draw 8 isn’t much fun either. I’ll work on those same strategies and try to improve the sound.
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I’m getting better with both! But still have issues at times
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@davemacinnh
Just published!
Blow 3 and Draw 2 Duel is the title of one of my musical pieces, presented here in a reduced version. It also serves as an exercise to practice playing hole 3 blow and hole 2 draw in a similar way. The full version of this piece will be included in an eBook I am currently working on, based on my color-coded audio-video method, designed to help players master all single holes before moving on to advanced techniques like bending.
These two holes are a particular exception on the diatonic harmonica, as both produce the fifth of the major scale. However, for beginners, this can be misleading: hole 2 draw does not sound exactly like hole 3 blow, which often leads them to believe that the harmonica is defective or broken, when in reality, that is rarely the case.
The real duel? The challenge is to make the note played on hole 3 as close as possible to the one played on hole 2 draw. The more similar they sound, the better the player’s control over breathing and tone production.
Hole 2 draw is particularly challenging for beginners because it allows for two different bends, lowering the pitch by up to a full tone. This makes it easy to unintentionally initiate a bending motion, altering the sound and giving the impression that the note is not coming out correctly.
I have extracted some exercises from this piece and included them in two short videos on my YouTube channel, which I started about a month ago. If you’re interested in exploring further, here are the official links:
https://youtube.com/shorts/s8lkdnW7YlQ
https://youtube.com/shorts/Zk_Y751vuZI
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@gerrix this is great! Thank you!
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i used to dread the *8 until I lightened up on the air flow. Having an air eak did not help.
I play tunes that force me to play up and down the harp. Now the right side of the harp is like the lower notes. its all about practice. One thing to consider is harps do not like chilly weather and this makes the higher draws tougher. I ran a blow drier over the harp and for about five minutes it played much better. The smaller the reed the more this applies I/M/O.
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Chilly weather! You lucky, lucky … It’s summer here in Australia, I dream of chilly weather.
Yes, I have chosen one song in particular, just because it forces me to play up and down the harp, but I don’t want every tune to be difficult. It’s nice to play some songs just for the joy of playing them. But, as I’ve said before, you don’t get far with the harmonica or in life if you only do things that are easy. Got to find a nice balance I guess, with enjoying and learning, stretching just enough but not too much.
I’m starting to make peace with draw 8, lightening the airflow as you say and not being afraid of it. “Play it like you wrote it” is good advice too, I think. Own the song.
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