Masterpieces you’ll want to play on the harmonica. Popular songs that look cool if you can play them.
The harmonica is one of the classic instruments you’ll find at school.
Many of you have probably played it in music class, right?
Because it’s a simple instrument that produces sound just by blowing, even small children can play it easily—that’s the nice part.
This time, we’re introducing famous songs you’ll want to try playing on the harmonica at least once.
We’ve gathered a genre-spanning selection, from long-loved Japanese and Western songs to recent popular J-pop.
If you’re thinking, “I want to play popular songs on the harmonica,” or “I want to perform the harmonica in front of people,” be sure to use this as a reference!
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Famous songs you’ll want to play on the harmonica. Cool popular tracks to master (11–20)
Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo
Shiina Ringo’s “Marunouchi Sadistic” is a wonderful song with an urban vibe and a cool atmosphere.
When playing it on harmonica, the key is to nail the bouncy rhythm precisely.
While the harmonica is known for its warm tone, I recommend intentionally going for a drier sound here to bring out the song’s coolness.
Add power in the chorus to lift the energy and you’ll get a sharp, stylish finish.
Practice the difficult sections repeatedly, and perform carefully while keeping the song’s worldview in mind.
Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji
Composed by Yuji Ohno, who is also a jazz pianist, this piece is an instrumental without lyrics despite being an anime theme song.
Its cool jazz vibe has made it a popular number often performed on various instruments.
Many people wonder if it can be played on harmonica, but the structure is simpler than you might think, and there’s no issue playing the main melody line.
Advanced players should try tackling the solo in the interlude as well.
threadNakajima Miyuki
How about expressing your feelings to someone special with a harmonica? This is one of the signature songs by Miyuki Nakajima, the Hokkaido-born singer-songwriter behind many classics, released as a single in 1998.
It drew attention when it was chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Seija no Koshin” (March of the Saints).
Some of you might even have it as your go-to karaoke number.
The song’s worldview, likening human connections to threads, really hits home, doesn’t it? Pour your heart into it and give it a try on the harmonica.
If I’m wrapped in kindnessMatsutōya Yumi
Yumi Matsutoya’s third single, “Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara,” was released in 1974.
You often hear this song on TV, and above all, it’s well known as the ending theme of the Studio Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service, making it a widely recognized tune that people of all ages have likely heard.
Many artists have covered it as well.
If you’re planning to perform the harmonica in a setting where both children and adults gather, this would be a perfect choice.
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
Southern All Stars’ “TSUNAMI,” a song that many people know across generations, conveys a sense of poignancy on a grand scale.
By switching between a wide range of tones—from bright to wistful—you can fully express the song’s world even on the harmonica.
Once you get used to practicing, try adding vibrato and dynamic contrast to match the music, aiming for a performance with clear contours.
Cherish the mood and play with feeling.
Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
A hot, deeply layered rock number that gives voice to aching emotions.
It’s one of Elephant Kashimashi’s signature songs, released in July 1997.
Written specifically as the theme song for the drama “Because the Moon Shines at Night,” it delivers its world straight to you—vocalist Hiroji Miyamoto’s passionate voice rides the band’s powerful sound.
Walk down a night street while listening, and you might feel like crying just a little.
It’s a song that lets feelings for someone overflow.
Great songs you’ll want to play on the harmonica: popular tracks (21–30) that look cool when you can play them.
Mela!Ryokushokushakai
It’s a song with a captivating rhythmic beat and refreshing melody.
This track by Ryokuoushoku Shakai was released in April 2020.
The lyrics, which carry the message “cherish your true self,” really resonate.
Included on the album SINGALONG, it gained attention after being used on Nippon TV’s Sukkiri.
It’s recommended for times when you want to feel positive or boost your confidence.
The music video is an animated work featuring a wolf as the protagonist.
Playing it on the harmonica could make it even more fun—why not perform it in front of friends or family?