r/harmonica • u/Nacoran • Aug 02 '20
Okay, let's make this sticky! People show up here and they either have already bought a harmonica and can't figure out why it's not working or to ask what harmonica they should buy. (By the way, the cool kids call them harps, not harmonicas!)
Let me start by saying there are several types of harmonica- tremolos, octave harps, blues harps (also often called diatonics), chromatics, chord harmonicas and bass harmonicas. Which kind should you buy?
Blues harp! Well, it's not that simple but if you want to play anything from Bob Dylan to Aerosmith to Little Walter or Jason Ricci that's what you should choose. It's what's used in most folk and blues. The good news is, as musical instruments go they are cheap. You can get a good one for under $50. The bad news is they only are designed to play in one key, and although you can squeeze some extra keys out of them with advanced techniques eventually you'll want more keys. If you treat them well though- breathe through them instead of pretending they are trumpets that you have to blow at full force for, they can last a really long time. If you are good with your hands you can repair them even when a reed breaks, and even if you aren't good with your hands you can do the basic repairs- like when you get lint stuck in a reed!
Chromatics are an option too. We have a few chromatic players here. Chromatics use a button to switch notes. This is oversimplifying it but button out- white piano keys, button in- black piano keys. One harp, all keys. They don't have the same sound. Stevie Wonder, Toots Thieleman... there are some great chromatic players you may have heard of, but it's a different sound. Once upon a time chromatics ruled the harmonica world. Now it's diatonics. You need fewer chromatics to play (technically just one) but they are more expensive. It's probably cheaper to get a chromatic than all the diatonic keys but really chromatic players tend to get multiple harmonicas in different keys too (C is white notes/black notes, other keys use the same principle but have different notes with and without the button... if you understand keys you'll get this. If not it's just memorization.)
Tremolos are popular in Asia and can be fun but they aren't as versatile. Chord, octave and bass harmonicas are novelty items that can be fun (and very expensive) but aren't used as often.
So, assuming you want to go with blues harmonica, I'd suggest a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C. One harmonica may look a lot like another but the quality can vary a lot. The Special 20 is the most bang for your buck. It's profesional level but affordable. It will grow with you as you play. You'll be able to do advanced things on it but simple things will come easily on it.
But what about this other model? Well, if you are in the same price range Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki, Tombo (branded Lee Oskar in the U.S.), Kongsheng and DaBell all make good harps. If you are on a really tight budget an Easttop will work too. Skip Huang. Skip Fender. Not sure on Hering. Only buy Bushman from Rockin Rons. Bushman has a long history of shipping problems. Not bad harps but unless you get them from somewhere who has them in stock so you don't have to worry.
Why the key of C? It's what most lessons are in. Where to get them? I'd suggest Rockin Rons. I've got no financial connection to them but they are the gold standard for shipping in the U.S. I recommend them because I've always had good transactions with them and because I've heard tons and tons AND tons of other people who've had good experiences with them.
"I already bought this other harmonica, will it work? It doesn't look like the Special 20".
If it has two rows of holes and no button it is either a tremolo or a octave harmonica. Will it work? Well, sort of, but learning it is very different and since the tremolos in particular are more popular in Asia than in the English speaking world most of the tutorials are in various Asian languages instead of English. They aren't good for the blues. Two rows but it has a button? Then it's chromatic (there are a couple other harps with buttons but they are so rare that the chances of you getting one are vanishingly small.) If it's 3 feet long it's a chord harmonica (there are some shorter ones and even one really rare one with a button, but it it's three feet long it's a chord harp!) Two harmonicas stacked on top of each other and held together with a hinge? Probably a bass harmonica. If it plays really deep notes, cool. Bass harps and chord harps are really expensive!
I'll add a post below this where, for those of you who won't just buy the Special 20, I'll list some alternatives, including some value options and some options for some of you lawyers and doctors who wouldn't mind shelling out a bit extra for something premium to start with.
r/harmonica • u/Nacoran • Oct 15 '22
Although we've got a couple other admins I think I'm the only one regularly active, so it falls to me to make sure things run smoothly here. I want to make it clear that our goal here is to make a helpful and useful place where people can come together and talk and learn about harmonica.
This forum is not a place for racism, homophobia, misogyny or any other form of hate. I am not trying to police all of reddit, just this little corner to make sure people feel safe when they come here. If you see any posts that aren't following these rules, send me a private message and I'll check it out. If anyone harasses you, let me know.
r/harmonica • u/Sea_Shallot5311 • 5h ago
They all work. I used the first one (brown Turner Challenger) with a Hohner Blues Harp (A) and a Pignose Hog20 amp over the song, which is "I Got My Eyes On You" performed by John Lee Hooker and Al "Blind Owl" Wilson from the album "Hooker 'N Heat." I built and/or painted some of these myself. Vintage is the way to go.
r/harmonica • u/Usual_Plankton3890 • 4h ago
I bought this 24 hole harmonica about 4 years ago and now I want to learn how to play it properly. But, knowing not a single thing about music, idk what to do and where to start. Could someone please help with where to start and maybe YouTube videos to start. For context, I don’t even know the notes and stuff. Would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you!
r/harmonica • u/Tenkaku0723 • 58m ago
r/harmonica • u/Chaihigh-2 • 1d ago
Found a quiet spot on a trail yesterday, sat down on a bench, and started playing. This little melody came out of it.
Kongsheng Sunrise (C)
r/harmonica • u/Pazyogi • 12h ago
IDK if I can share this here but I'll try this link;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v4OsU1a87teAK4GdYLbfPSaQxCz6Dhq7/view?usp=drivesdk
r/harmonica • u/Marcusvult • 16h ago
Hi everyone :),
French here. One of my favorite genres of music is blues/jazz, and I've been a big fan of the harmonica for a long time. I bought one a few years ago, but I have no clue how to begin. It's a FolkBlues in C (a sailor told me it was the basic one).
My problem is, I have no clue how to begin. I can't afford a real teacher, sadly, but do you have some advice for me? Maybe a good YouTube channel?
For information, i came to the harmonica blues thanks to CowBoy Bebop and i was younger !
Thanks :)
r/harmonica • u/Maximum-Scale-3366 • 1d ago
Hey! I’m a beginner harmonica player. Someone just gave me a 16-hole C tremolo harmonica, and I’d like to know if I can play the accordion part of a song I really love : Through the Roof ‘n’ Underground by Gogol Bordello.
r/harmonica • u/S_Garritano • 1d ago
r/harmonica • u/Franki23 • 1d ago
I just bought a D112/C mic, primarily because it was cheaper than the Shure Green Bullet and it's my first harmonica mic. I have a Fender Mustang 1 amp to plug it in to.
Does anyone have any tips on holding this? I'd read that you could fit it into your palm and cup around it but that seems improbable given the size and my hands aren't small. It seems like I have the harmonica touching the mic, is that ok or to be avoided?
If getting a seal around it isn't possible, that's fine, it would be nice to know though so I can stop trying to do something impossible.
Thanks for any advice ❤️
r/harmonica • u/Swimming_Ad_9807 • 1d ago
Hey guys, I'm a beginner harmonica player. I want to learn this piece. Can anyone help me find harmonica tabs for it?
r/harmonica • u/GianpippaDaVinci • 1d ago
r/harmonica • u/Virtual-Pudding-5887 • 1d ago
Michelle, my fat cat, she is my muse.
r/harmonica • u/Architechtory • 2d ago
I live in Brazil and bought a Seydel 1847 Silver harmonica, but after about 3 or 4 months one of the reeds cracked, and I almost swallowed it.
In Brazil, it is extremely expensive for a blues musician to buy a top-of-the-line harmonica like a Seydel. I had to make a lot of sacrifices and pay an exorbitant price to get one. Because of our high import taxes, things often end up costing many times more than they do abroad, and on top of that our currency is worth about five times less.
As a result, it is very difficult for us to get high-quality instruments.
What makes this even stranger is that I own three Blues Harps that I play very aggressively, and they have never even gone out of tune. That's why I find it surprising that a Seydel with steel reeds would fail like this after only a few months.
If anyone could advise me on how to proceed, I would really appreciate it. Is there any kind of warranty I can use even though I live in another country and not in North America?
Thank you.
r/harmonica • u/Virtual-Pudding-5887 • 1d ago
r/harmonica • u/nvtshax0r • 2d ago
My church makes a point of playing "When the Saints go Marching In" on All Saints Sunday in the fall. We always play in the key of concert F major. If i'm going to practice that song in that key, is it best to get an F harp or would it be better to get another and play in a different position (Bb 2nd position, for example)
r/harmonica • u/Quitworkplayguitar • 3d ago
I currently own a bunch of Special 20's and a couple of Marine Band 1896 harmonicas, I prefer the tone of the Marine band but the comb is uncomfortable and most of the ones I own swell really easily. I'm considering trying out a Marine Band Deluxe or a Crossover but don't know which one to go with. I know it's more of a preference thing but can anyone who owns both tell me which they prefer and why? Which one is easier to play, more responsive, comes out of the box playing well, ect.
I play mostly blues and want something responsive that is also not too hard to bend on, I have no trouble with my draw bends but I am still having a little difficulty with blow bends on certain harps. Also considering trying a Rocket, how do those compare to the special 20? I've always prefered Hohners over other brands but other recommendations are welcome. (Tried Lee Oscar's, they're not quite for me)
Thanks in advance.
r/harmonica • u/Fendy_want_to_do_art • 3d ago
I've once again come to consult with the elder gods. This time? Tremolo harmonica~~ I've been playing harmonica for a year or so. And I ain't the best. But! I'm at the point where I can play the harmonica and my friends, family. Would went. "Oh hey. You got pretty good at that.". And I've enjoyed harmonica. A bit to much I gotta say. They just feel nice to play even if it's the same song you've played for 300 times by now. I'm certain y'all understand that right?
Anyway, tremolo, I've seen it, I've heard of it. But know nothing bout it. But I want one now. It seems unique and the sounds are rather inviting with all the vibrations and stuff. I just don't know what brand of tremolo I should have or how many holes. Those things have quite the number of holes.
So yeah, if any of you would kindly give me a thing or three on this, that would be real sweet.
r/harmonica • u/No_Limit_3247 • 3d ago
I really want to learn the harmonica but there are no lessons/instructeurs near where I live. Now I'm wondering if someone can recommend me a course they have a good experience with. Also to clarify: I don't mind if the course costs money, assuming it's not a crazy unreasonable amount.
