Tablature provides an easy way to read and write music for specific instruments, in this case the harmonica.

There are two main things to notice about this tablature: (1) the notes on the top line are “blow” notes and the notes on the bottom line are “draw” notes. As a reminder, at the beginning of each line there is a “B” on top for blow and a “D” for draw; and (2) the numbers represent the hole numbers on the harmonica.

The example above contains 4 measures. The 4/4 at the beginning of the tab designates that each measure contains 4 beats.

The first measure (after the 4/4) contains only 2 notes. These notes (2 draw and 3 blow) are both half notes and each are played for 2 beats.

The second measure in this example begins with 4 eighth notes. Notice that the eighth notes are tied together. Eighth notes receive only 1/2 beat, therefore it would take 8 eighth notes to fill an entire measure. In this measure though the 4 eighth notes are followed by 2 quarter notes that each receive 1 beat. The count on the second measure would be as follows: 1 and 2 and 3    4.

The third measure contains 4 quarter notes. Each quarter note receives one beat so this is a much simpler measure to play that the previous one.

The final measure in the example is a whole note. A whole note receives 4 beats so you hold it for the entirety of the measure.