A child starts learning right after birth. It grows & improves by observations, instructions & guidance. My Harmonica journey started at age 12 or 13 when my father gave one due to health issues (breathing) I suffered unexpectedly. Someone told him to try it and it worked. Yes, Harmonica playing has many health benefits. 

My father had a good music sense as he used to learn & play harmonium. I too used to try my hands on harmonium. By the time I finished schooling, I had developed great interest in music & harmonica. I used to visit Rhythm House in Mumbai city to check for Cassettes on harmonica. Yes, that was era of LPs & Cassettes.

I got 3,4 cassettes of Hindi songs by Shree Milon Gupta sir (known as Maestro/Godfather of Indian Harmonica). The fun started when I could not play those songs on my ordinary Harmonica (Hero-Tremolo). Then I learnt that it was Chromatic harmonica & search for it started. I was told about one musical instruments store at Dadar, where I saw that model (Hohner Chromatic). Obviously, it wasn’t in my budget but I still used to visit the shop many times, just to see that model.

After I started earning, I purchased my first Diatonic Harmonica (Hohner) in G scale & started playing few more songs (apart from those on Hero). I started showing my harmonica playing skill to office colleagues frequently on occasions of Annual day etc.

The passion to learn music & harmonica grew so much over the time that I now have 2 Casio keyboards, 1 Harmonium, 25 to 30 Harmonicas of different sizes, types & scales. I purchased few Flutes too from road sellers as want to learn now that also.

I then felt learning systematically & joined Harmonica class in Dombivli in 2013 where I learnt music basic, notations & many songs on harmonica. I then joined Keyboard class in Kalyan where I learnt Western Notations, fingering exercises & songs. I then joined Harmonium class in Ambarnath & passed 1st exam (Prarambhik) under the guidance of my guruji.

Due to growth of internet & social media, I came in contacts with many harmonica players & experts in India, from whom I learnt many tips, new songs through their videos, interactions & their live programs. And recently, I came in contact with Notes And Sargam, due to which I came to know many new songs to try on my Harmonica.

Even now at the age of 55, I am a learner and going to be learner till end as I believe that ‘Learning is an endless journey’.

Thanks!