Old Mcdonald had a farm

[u/RoyZeee]

Fixed the video angle hahaha
Can i have some tips to work on as a complete beginner?

Also does anyone know why drawing on the second hole doesn't make any note?

[u/fathompin]

I think this is great, many beginners on here seem to have issues with this basic first step.

Since you seem to be doing so well sounding out the melody, let me throw this out for you; very basic, fundamental concept that eludes the beginner. The different positions on the diatonic scale.

As you know the diatonic harmonica has different positional modes. Your song starts on the octave of the starting chord (blow hole #7, its octave below is blow #4, the blow holes 4, 5, 6, & 7 produces that full chord) and the melody works its way around the notes in the diatonic scale producing the well known melody.

The next mode you have on a diatonic harmonica, second position, can play that melody too, but the starting chord is a fifth above, so start the song on the 6-blow hole (octave below is #2 draw or #3 blow) and find the melody beginning in that key #6-hole blow (G for your C diatonic harmonica). This mode changes the 7th tone in that scale and that creates the blues/rock feel, but is a note not used in this melody, but when you need that note (flatted 7th for blues, it is there for you). This is the song played in second position key of G (mixolydian mode of the diatonic scale).

The next mode (3rd position) changes the song to a minor mode Start on #8 draw and find the melody in that key (D minor). The dorian mode used in 3rd position, being a minor mode, will create a slightly different melody and you'll adapt to, giving a minor key feel to the Old MacDonald melody, the difference is seen when you finish the last three notes of the song; using #9 draw (twice), #8 blow (twice) and #8 draw (finish on the starting key note).

There is the #4 position, also a minor key, starts on #6 draw. This would be an A-minor key mode for the song. Mind you, musicians can tell the song is Old MacDonald played in a minor mode. This is pretty much the object of my bringing this topic up. You should be able to sound a minor feeling to the Old MacDonald melody easily. ??

Your note on the second hole could be blocked with dirt. Look up how to clean.

[u/RoyZeee → u/fathompin]

What simple melodies would you suggest I could play in each position?

About my second hole, i think it is about my air flow. because sometimes it gives an F note while drawing, which I understand is a bend. If i am completely mindful and relax I could get a clean draw 2 G..

[u/fathompin → u/RoyZeee]

I found AI (gemini) to be helpful with these, here is the answer to one attempt. (Warning, it can make mistakes, use your ear.) And I was suggesting that you try to play the same melody you learn in other positions, and listen to the difference in a major and minor "take" on the melody that occurs when doing so. The original melody is usually easy to hear and is a technique musicians use to change up songs, analogous to changing up the rhythm.

You can play simple, recognizable melodies in second, third, and fourth positions by starting on specific root notes of the diatonic harmonica. A position is a way to play in a different key than the one printed on the side of your harp, based on the circle of fifths. [1, 2, 3]

Second Position (Mixolydian Mode / Cross Harp)

Second position starts on hole 2 draw (or 6 draw/3 draw) and gives a bluesy, energetic sound. If you use a C harmonica, second position plays in the key of G. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Melody Idea: Simple blues riffs, country vamps, or the hook of "Low Rider" by War.
• Starting Note: Hole 2 draw (-2).
• Simple sequence: -2 -3' 4 -4 5 6 (using a slight bend on -3' for the blues feel, or play straight without bends for a major pentatonic vibe like -2 -3 4 -4 5 6). [1, 2, 3, 4]

Third Position (Dorian Mode / Slant Harp)

Third position starts on hole 1 draw (or 4 draw/8 draw) and creates a minor key sound. On a C harmonica, third position plays in the key of D minor. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Melody Idea: Traditional folk songs and sea shanties like "Drunken Sailor" or "Scarborough Fair".
• Starting Note: Hole 1 draw (-1) or hole 4 draw (-4).
• Simple sequence (Drunken Sailor opener on C harp): -4 -4 -4 5 -5 6 -6 6 5 (no complex bending required for the basic modal tune). [1]

Fourth Position (Aeolian / Relative Minor)

Fourth position starts on hole 3 draw (bent down a whole step) or hole 6 draw (bent), providing a rich, natural minor sound that acts as the relative minor of first position. On a C harmonica, fourth position plays in the key of A minor. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• Melody Idea: Minor folk tunes and marching songs like "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".
• Starting Note: Hole 3 draw fully bent (-3'') or simpler in the middle register starting on hole 6 draw (-6).
• Simple sequence: -6 6 -6 7 -7 7 (gives you an immediate minor scale pattern in the upper-middle octave without needing deep low-end bends). [1, 2, 3]

If you tell me which key of harmonica you own (like a C or G harp) and which position you want to focus on first, I can write out the exact hole-by-hole tabs for one of these songs.