How to Make a Harmonica

The harmonica is a musical instrument that you play with your mouth, and it can provide endless hours of entertainment for both children and adults alike. Making your own harmonica is quick and easy, and only requires basic materials. Experiment with different ways of blowing the harmonica to make different sounds. Enjoy!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Creating the Harmonica

  1. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 1
    1
    Cut a piece of paper down to the same size as an ice block stick. Place an ice block stick on top of the paper and trace around it with a pencil. Take the ice block stick off the paper and cut around the line with a pair of scissors.[1]
    • You will need 2 wide ice block sticks for this activity. Look for ice block sticks that are about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide.[2]
    • Thin printer paper works best for this activity. Avoid using thick paper or card, as this makes it difficult to create a sound when you blow on the harmonica.
    • Make sure that your paper doesn’t have any creases or folds in it.
  2. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 2
    2
    Place the paper in between the 2 ice block sticks. This creates the body of the harmonica. Lie the paper flat on top of 1 of the ice block sticks so that it covers the entire stick. Cover the paper with the remaining ice block stick.[3]
    • Purchase ice block sticks from a supermarket or a craft store.
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  3. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 3
    3
    Wrap a rubber band around the left end of the harmonica 7 times. Secure the sticks and the paper together with a rubber band, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the left end of the ice block sticks. Continue to wrap the rubber band around the harmonica until the band sits firmly against the sticks.
    • Thin rubber bands work best for this task. However, if you only have thick rubber bands, use these instead.
  4. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 4
    4
    Slide a toothpick on top of the paper, to the right of the rubber band. Place a toothpick in between the top ice block stick and the paper. Position the toothpick so that it touches the right side of the rubberband[4]
    • Purchase toothpicks from a grocery store.
    • If you don’t have toothpicks, use thin skewers instead.
  5. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 5
    5
    Secure the right end of the harmonica with a rubber band. Place a rubber band 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the right end of the ice block sticks. Wrap the rubber band around the harmonica 7 times, or until the band sits firmly against the sticks.[5]
  6. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 6
    6
    Place a toothpick under the paper at the right end of the harmonica. Slide the second toothpick to the right of the rubber band, in between the bottom ice block stick and the paper. Try not to crease the paper as you push the toothpick into the harmonica.[6]
    • The toothpicks give more room for the paper in the harmonica to vibrate. This helps to increase the volume of sound that the instrument can produce.
  7. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 7
    7
    Trim the ends of the toothpicks with scissors. Cut off any toothpick that sticks outside of the ice block sticks. This prevents the sticks from poking you in the face when you are playing the harmonica.[7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Different Sounds

  1. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 8
    1
    Hold the ends of the harmonica and blow through the middle section. Place your lips on either side of the ice block sticks and blow firmly through the harmonica. Exhale lightly through the harmonica to make a quieter sound.[8]
    • You can use these same techniques with a store-bought harmonica.
    • Keep your tongue inside your mouth as you blow the harmonica.
  2. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 9
    2
    Suck the air through the harmonica to make a different sound. Place your lips on the middle of the harmonica and take a breath in. Listen to the different sound that the harmonica makes. Try breathing in quickly and then slowly, to vary the sound that the harmonica makes.[9]
    • If the harmonica isn’t making any noise, try breathing in more vigorously.
  3. Image titled Make a Harmonica Step 10
    3
    Hold down the middle of the harmonica while you blow to vary the pitch. Pinch the middle section of the harmonica between your thumb and index finger. Blow vigorously through the harmonica to make a louder sound. Tighten your pinch on the harmonica to increase the pitch of the sound.[10]
    • If the harmonica isn’t making any sound, loosen your grip on the harmonica and blow more firmly.
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Things You’ll Need

  • 2 wide ice block sticks
  • 2 rubber bands
  • Paper
  • 2 toothpicks
  • Pencil
  • Scissors

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  2. ↑ https://frugalfun4boys.com/sound-science-kids-make-craft-stick-harmonica/
  3. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  4. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  5. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  6. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  7. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  8. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sound-science-make-your-own-harmonica/
  9. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/
  1. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/popsicle-stick-harmonica/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 18,121 times.
33 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: August 10, 2021
Views: 18,121
Categories: Woodwind Instruments | Making Musical Instruments
Article SummaryX

To make your own harmonica, start by cutting a piece of paper so it's about the size of an ice block stick. Then, place the paper between 2 ice sticks, which will be the body of your harmonica. Next, wrap a rubber band around the left side of the harmonica 7 times and slide a toothpick to the right of the rubber band, on top of the paper. Once you're done, repeat this same process on the right side of the harmonica, so both ends have a rubber band and toothpick. From here, you can finish your harmonica by trimming the ends of both toothpicks with scissors so they don't stick out. If you want to make sounds with your new harmonica, blow air into the middle section while holding both ends. For more tips, including how to vary the pitch of your harmonica, read on!

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