Learning to play the harmonica can definitely take some hard work and practicing, but just like any other instrument the work pays off. Here are some tips for beginners of harmonica basics.

1. Invest in a good harmonica. No, there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy harmonica, but playing a 50 cent plastic harmonica just won’t work.

1. Keep the harmonica clean. All instruments need to be cared for, and the harmonica is no exception. Don’t eat or drink anything right before playing and make sure to put it in its case when finished.

1. Watch the music. It’s easy to miss the little plusses and minuses on harmonica music, but without them the song won’t sound right. Keep track of when to breathe in and when to breathe out.

1. Practice, practice, practice. Although it’s cliche, practice makes perfect. This goes for learning the harmonica as well as anything else in life. Hard work pays off.

1. Have fun. If the difficulty of playing the harmonica takes away from the fun of it, take a break for a few minutes. Play an easy song. The whole point of the instrument is to have fun, so make sure it is.