The Hidden Valley Harmonica Player is a novelette for beginning harmonica players. While Hidden Valley is a real place with abandoned buildings, the characters in this story are ficticious.

You can follow the deepening relationship between two likeminded individuals. You can also follow and identify with one person like yourself who is trying to learn to play the harmonica.

You can play along with this beginner by playing the same songs and learning from her struggles. This is a continuing saga with new chapters being added periodically.

If you start reading this story before you have read the lessons on this web site you should know a few things:

• The harmonica notation for the songs are designed for the ten hole diatonic scale harmonica, often called the Marine Band harmonica. Any harmonica with a single row of ten holes and the numbers engraved in the cover plate over the holes will do. It does not matter which key harmonica you have. The notation will work on all keys.
• The harmonica notation is really very simple. Above the lyrics to the songs you will find numbers. These numbers correspond to the hole numbers engraved on the cover plate. If the number is a 4, then you blow into hole number 4. However, if the number is preceeded by a minus sign (-), example -4, then you will draw into hole number 4.
• It is not absolutely necessary to blow only the single hole. Almost all beginners play 2 or 3 holes when starting out. This is quite acceptable. However you will soon want to learn how play clear single notes and this will come in time.
• The harmonica tabulation system will only work for song with which you are familiar with the melody. If you are not familiar with one of the songs, just go on to the next song.
• The lessons on this website go into additional instruction concerning such skills as using your tongue and hands to add expression to your music.

Welcome to Hidden Valley