We are now ready to learn some tunes. The first will be "Ode to Joy", from Beethoven's 9th symphony. The aim will be to memorise this tune, and all that follow. The technique will be to learn parts of the tune, then put them together. Here we will learn the parts which make up the first half of Ode to Joy.

As we are using a C harmonica, the tune will be in the key of C. Music keys will be discussed later, however, a tune in C will usually have C as it's final note. In this case, the final note of Ode to Joy will be the C on 4B.

We start by playing two notes on the 5B, moving up the scale to 6B, then moving down the scale to 4B. This first pattern is 5B 5B 5D 6B 6B 5D 5B 4D 4B. It sounds like this

Practice it many times.

The second pattern starts on the 4B, moves up the scale to the 5B, then back to the 4D. The pattern is 4B 4D 5B 5B 4D 4D, and sounds like this

When you can play both patterns, then put them together, the second immediately after the first. It should sound like this

Now for the the second part of the first half of Ode to Joy. This begins with the first pattern, 5B 5B 5D 6B 6B 5D 5B 4D 4B. The second pattern follows, with a different ending, namely 4B 4D 5B 4D 4B 4B. The pattern sounds like this

Once you have learnt the two parts of the first half of Ode to Joy, then put them together, like this

Finally, try the first half of Ode to Joy by yourself, with the accompanyment only

To help with this, here are the notes for the first half of the tune, all together.

5B 5B 5D 6B 6B 5D 5B 4D 4B

4B 4D 5B 5B 4D 4D

5B 5B 5D 6B 6B 5D 5B 4D 4B

4B 4D 5B 4D 4B 4B

A great deal of music is made up of patterns like these, placed one after the other. The exercises in the previous lessons, and in the lessons to come will teach you many patterns. Combining these patterns will open the world of music to you.

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