Should I practice harmonica every day and how much?

A question that frequently comes up in the harmonica community is:

"How much should I practice every day, and do I really need to practice every single day?"

There are many ways to answer this, but here are my thoughts on how to balance "playing" versus "practicing" and how to find a routine that works for your body and your progress.

1. Consistency over intensity

My "global recommendation" is to play a little bit of harmonica every single day. If your time is limited, playing for 10 minutes, seven days a week, is much better than playing for 70 minutes just one day a week.

When you pick up the instrument daily, your body, muscles, and brain adapt to the process much more effectively. It’s about staying close to the instrument.

2. "Playing" vs. "Practicing"

Is just "playing" the same as "practicing"? Yes and no.

• Playing: This is when you’re enjoying yourself, playing jazz standards or folk songs you’ve known for 20 years, and feeling happy. This is vital for maintaining a positive connection to the instrument.

• Practicing: This is the harder stuff. It’s when you work on things you don't know—difficult chord changes, new melodies, or arrangements. It can be annoying and tough, but meeting that challenge is how you grow.

To have a healthy development curve, you need both. Play what you know to feel good, but spend time on the things that make you want to quit—that’s where the growth happens.

3. Finding your "Sweet Spot"

My own routine has changed throughout my life:

• As a teenager: I played all day until I fell asleep. I didn't count hours; I just played.

• At the Music Academy: I was much more disciplined. I practiced three hours alone and had another three hours of lessons and ensembles. Doing six hours a day for five years straight was a huge part of my development.

• Nowadays: I’m very flexible. Some days I play for seven hours; some days I play for 20 seconds.

I’ve noticed that my "harmonica muscles" (the lips and embouchure) start to get tired after about two hours non-stop playing. If I need a heavy practice day, I’ll do 40 minutes, take a 10-minute break, and then do another hour. And put that on repeat for as long as I have time and energy. For most people, I think one hour is an optimal goal, while three to four hours is the physical maximum before the lips really start to feel it.

4. Listening to your body (and ears)

Lately, I’ve been on a school concert tour playing two or three shows a day. When I’m performing that much, I don't sit down and practice for three hours on top of it because I need to save my lips for the next day. Often playing concerts and rehearsals can use more muscle energy than just sitting and practicing softly in your living room.

It’s not just your muscles that get tired, either—it’s your ears and brain power. I’ve found that using in-ear monitors can sometimes tire my ears out faster than floor monitors. It’s important to stay aware of your physical limits so you don’t burn out.

Summary advice

If you want to see a nice curve of improvement, keep these three points in mind:

1. Daily contact: 5–10 minutes every day is the best foundation.

2. The 1-Hour goal: One hour is a great "optimal" session if you have the time.

3. Balance the spectrum: Practice what you know to stay happy, and practice what you don't know to get better.

Now, go pick up your harmonica and enjoy it!

I’d love to hear your daily harmonica routine—share it in the comments!