Learning how to play the harmonica can seem intimidating, however, don’t let that deter you from giving your best at learning to play the fun free reed wind instrument.
We have some easy harmonica songs for beginners that you can easily learn with their notes and online resources.
1. “Alouette”
“Alouette” is a famous french children’s song and one of the simplest songs to play on a harmonica.
The song is about plucking the feathers off a Lark.
The song was something soldiers serving in France during World War I took back to their own countries and passed on to future generations.
2. “Happy Birthday”
You may not have considered “Happy Birthday” among the songs you wanted to play on your Harmonica.
But the tune is too easy and beginner-friendly to skip.
You can also impress people by playing the song on your harmonica during a birthday party.
3. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Nursery rhymes are common songs that people play when learning to play any new instrument.
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is one such nursery rhyme and can be easily played on the harmonica.
If you have children, then this song is a must-learn to charm their pants off.
4. “Jingle Bells”
We added “Jingle Bells” to this list, especially for Christmas.
No reason not to show your harmonica skills during the holiday season when you can learn this song on the harmonica in only a few days.
5. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
If you’re looking for a famous song that isn’t too complex to play on a harmonica for a beginner, “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is for you.
The soulful song is perfect to dedicate to a loved one who’s proved themselves by standing with you through all your struggles.
The song ranked no. 1 on the UK Singles (OCC) chart and peaked at no. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
6. “This Old Man”
“This Old Man,” aka “Knick-Knack Paddy Whack,” is another nursery rhyme with easy harmonica tabs.
The song is a popular counting song among children, and it would be a delight for them to hear the song played on a harmonica.
7. “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” is another one of the easy songs to play on the harmonica if you’re constantly surrounded by children.
With easy harmonica notes, the song has a similar tempo to the nursery rhyme “This Old Man.”
8. “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven is the last movement of the composer’s “Symphony No. 9.”
The harmonica song is easy to play on the instrument because of its repetitive music theme.
This makes it easy to memorize the song’s harmonica notes and tabs.
9. “Amazing Grace” by John Newton
If you want to play something religious on your harmonica, then “Amazing Grace” by John Newton is the perfect song for you.
The song is basic enough to play on the harmonica and can be learned in just a few days.
10. “Camptown Races” by Stephen Foster
“Camptown Races” is Stephen Foster’s most famous song and was published in Foster’s Plantation Melodies.
With easy harmonica tabs, the song is among the must-learn songs to play on the harmonica, especially for beginners.
11. “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC
Are you a rock and roll fan looking forward to playing rock jams on your harmonica?
Believe it or not, “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC is a popular harmonica song and can be played only using three cells of the instrument.
12. “Imagine” by John Lennon
“Imagine” by John Lennon is another easy harmonica tab to play and only requires the use of four cells.
The song is one of the most popular songs you can play on the harmonica.
It has a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and is often played for the New Year’s Times Square Ball drop since 2005.
13. “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young
“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young is one of the more challenging harmonica songs on this list.
It uses a total of six cells but still isn’t as challenging as some of the more complex harmonica music.
14. “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley
Do you want to play harmonica songs sung by legends but don’t have enough experience playing the instrument?
“Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley is one of the basic enough harmonica songs for beginners to learn.
The song is slow-paced, making it easy to play on the instrument.
15. “Row Row Row Your Boat”
“Row Row Row Your Boat” is another popular children’s nursery rhyme that can easily be played on the harmonica.
With repetitive tunes in the nursery rhyme, you can find the song’s many easy harmonica tabs for beginners on the internet.
16. “Super Mario Bros Theme Song” by Koji Kondo
Mastering the “Super Mario Bros Theme Song” by Koji Kondo on your harmonica will definitely make you the cool guy/girl among 90’s kids.
The theme song of the popular arcade game is popular even today, and its tab can easily be found on the internet.
17. “Star Wars Theme #2” by John Williams
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you can’t miss out on playing the “Star Wars Theme #2” by John Williams on your harmonica.
The song is among the easy songs to play on harmonica for beginners, and the music will have you and all the listeners feeling nostalgic.
18. “When The Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong
“When The Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong is for those harmonica players who want to start out with pop and rock songs.
This was initially a Christian song that became more known after jazz bands covered it.
19. “Let It Be” by The Beatles
A Beatles fan will have a blast playing “Let It Be” on a harmonica.
The song came to McCartney when The Beatles were going through a tough time and was inspired by a dream in which he saw his mother.
The song scored no.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the US Adult Contemporary (Billboard), and the US Billboard Hot 100 Recurrents charts.
Check out our list of the best Beatles songs.
20. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel is among the most popular but basic harmonica songs and is easy to learn for beginners.
The song has a harmonica part, which you can play along to using the available online tabs.
21. “Juke” by Little Walter
If you’re looking for some simple songs to play on a harmonica, you have to try playing “Juke” by Little Walter.
In fact, the song was initially supposed to be a harmonica-only instrumental.
So it’s the perfect choice when you’re learning songs to play on the harmonica.
22. “Oh Susanna” by Stephen Foster
“Oh Susanna” by Stephen Foster is a minstrel song that ended up being among the composer’s most popular jams.
The name “Susanna” may have pointed to Foster’s late sister with the same middle name.
It’s one of the easiest songs to play on the harmonica.
23. “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley
If you want something to play on your harmonica for a cozy family gathering, “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley is an easy song to master.
You can use the available harmonica tutorials online and have the song finished in just an hour.
24. “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
No matter what instrument you want to play it on, “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong is everyone’s favorite.
The feel-good song topped the Scotland (OCC) and the UK Singles (OCC) charts.
Even on the harmonica, the song will push you to see the world’s beauty and enjoy life’s blessings.
25. “Kumbaya”
“Kumbaya” is an African-American spiritual song that can be translated to “Come by here.”
It is a prayer to God asking him to come and help those in need and has been associated with enslaved West Africans.
If you want to begin your learning experience by playing soulful songs on the harmonica, we highly recommend “Kumbaya.”
Easy Harmonica Songs – Final Thoughts
Our list covers some of the greatest but also basic songs you can play on the harmonica.
Now that you have a wide selection of beginner harmonica songs to choose from, you can start your learning journey without wasting any time.
Once you have trained with a harmonica on these beginner-friendly songs, you can move on to some more challenging harmonica tunes.
Want an easier way to learn harmonica songs? Check out our complete list and reviews of online harmonica lessons that work.
