Tapping your foot connects your body physically to the rhythm of the piece of music you're playing or listening to. Best of all, this reaction to music is usually unconscious, so you can focus on the progression and on what you're playing without having to concentrate on this physical connection to the beat.

Some players say they have trouble tapping their foot to the beat, and that it just gives them another thing to think about while playing. The fact is that tapping your foot to the beat is a natural response to music that usually happens automatically — you shouldn't have to think about it to make it happen, the music should make it happen for you. If that's not happening for you yet, don't worry and don't try to force it. Once your time gets accurate and playing harmonica becomes more natural for you, you'll look down one day and find your foot tapping all by itself!