Harmonica Care

How to take care of your harmonica

Different harmonica players have different ways of cleaning and taking care of their harmonicas. Some harmonica players like to wrap their harmonicas in fine silk cloth or chamois leather while others prefer to soak them in water, beer, vodka or even whisky.

While there are many ways to care for your harmonica, there are basic rules that you need to follow in taking care of your harmonica to ensure that your harmonica stays in good playing condition for a long time.  However, even with the best harmonica care you can give, your harmonica will eventually be damaged or worn out so when that happens you need to get a new harmonica.

First rule of harmonica care

The most important thing to keep in mind in terms of harmonica care is to keep your harmonica clean. Cleaning the harmonica well is very important, not only for the sound of the harmonica but also for your health. With instruments that are blown, saliva and tiny particles (especially germ) from the mouth enter the harmonica when you play. These can jam the reeds inside the harmonica, thus preventing them from vibrating, and in some cases they can be dislodged and fly into your mouth if you draw hard. Therefore, it is a good idea to always rinse out your mouth before playing the harmonica.

Harmonica care and cleaning

To prevent a build up of saliva in the harmonica, hold the harmonica by one end and tap the mouthpiece hard into the palm of your other hand, then take the other end and repeat the process. This should be done regularly, every few minutes or so and always when you have finished playing.