First we need to set the ground rules – we put their names on their new kit (or they can do it at home if time is tight); we ask the children to not drop their harmonicas, not to lend or borrow harmonicas because of health concerns. We tell them about the behaviour we need from them: 'if you want to speak you put your hand up. Do not talk or play when your teacher is talking or playing. If it is ever NOT fun (too hard/easy/repetitive) you must tell your teacher.'

We make sure children know the aim is to have FUN! Their confidence and self esteem will soar though having fun with successful learning.

We show them how to hold the harmonica using both hands.

Explain how breathing into it works - steaming up the mirror with warm air, breathing out is like ‘blowing on hot soup’ and breathing is the same but breathing in. Make sure their mouth is open inside ‘as if you have a hot potato in your mouth’.

We play the harmonica so that they can see hear how it sounds.

We give out starter packs.

Explain hand signals + notation method in books.

Get children to play all 8 notes on the 4-hole to check they all work properly.

We teach the scale of C.

Then we teach ‘twinkle twinkle’.

If time allows we demonstrate the 10-hole harmonica as well if they are juniors and introduce chugging using Choo Choo Choo and Choo Chacka Choo from ‘Get Chugging’ and Jelly Wobbles and Bogeys are Green from ‘Nasty Chugs’. We might introduce this to infants on the 4-hole.

Tell them there are tutorial videos of all the above pieces plus ‘the scale of C’ and ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ on the ‘Freebies’ page of the HarpsCool website to help them learn.

Tell them their homework is to have fun with it, and have a go at teaching some of those tunes to their Grownups at home!

Ask what they have learned today and did they have fun? Ask if there are any questions. Tell them we look forward to seeing them next week.