harmonica

T1nM4n · Unread post by **T1nM4n** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:23 pm

well i wanot to get a harmonica and learn to play but as i started to look at them i saw that they all come in differnt keys, what key should i get, and does it matter (im looking to play it with guitar)

Jenns4Ever9501 · Unread post by **Jenns4Ever9501** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:59 pm

Yeah, it definitely will matter what key you get, as far as I know. If you get a G harp, then you'll usually only be able to play songs on it in the key of G, or E minor, and so forth. A lot of harp players have a few different keys at their disposal, usually common ones (especially with guitar) like G, D, C, E, and so forth, know what I mean? This way they can play a few different tunes. The only exception is a chromatic harmonica, something like what John Popper of Blues Traveler might play, where you can play every note in every key, but those are tricky if you're not adept to playing harmonica. Anyways, my $.02.

Good luck.

neophyte · Unread post by **neophyte** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:32 am

Im bringing this thread back up from a search. I also am interested in learning to play the harmonica and and curious as to what key I should buy first... ie maybe the most common.

Any feedback is appreciated.

sunglassesatnight · Unread post by **sunglassesatnight** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:35 am

D is probably the most common guitar key. That wouldn't be bad to start with. You can then play in D and B minor.

RunsWithBuffalo · Unread post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:41 pm

I would start with C, if youre just beggining with the harmonica, i think its the easiest to play and also the notes are easier to bend on it than say an F harmonica.

dmb66 · Unread post by **dmb66** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:27 pm

RunsWithBuffalo wrote:I would start with C, if youre just beggining with the harmonica, i think its the easiest to play and also the notes are easier to bend on it than say an F harmonica.

Another benefit of a C is that you can learn a very common song, Piano Man, easily because the parts are so clear on the recording, and this will help you start to learn the ins and outs of what to play when.

filmdude100cms · Unread post by **filmdude100cms** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:52 pm

get a C, then a G, then a D, then the A, and then after that i forget the "good" order

Machtimus · Unread post by **Machtimus** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:19 am

filmdude100cms wrote:get a C, then a G, then a D, then the A, and then after that i forget the "good" order

? Order of keys?

If so, E, B, F

guitardmb · Unread post by **guitardmb** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:44 am

Musicians Friend has a set of all the keys for only around $30. Now obviously they wont be the best harmonicas in the world but for just learning they should work ok. I'll try and find the link for you.

edit: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=421179

neophyte · Unread post by **neophyte** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:50 am

Damn that is almost too cheap haha. I wonder if these would be bad to learn on because of lower quality or if that is even possible?

One of the reviews read as follows...

Apr 13, 2006 - I've been playing blues harp for almost 30 years. You get what you pay for with these harps. These harps just don't have a full sound and hard to draw on. I pulled the first one out and it didn't even blow well at all(meaning they really blow big time). You just not goint to be able to count on them working. I will say one thing though, I love the case they came in! If you want a good full sounding blues harp, get the Pro Harps instead. They cost more but you won't be disappointed. MF by the way has the best price around for harps. Again, I am disappointed with these harps but the case is real nice. Not a complete disappointment

Oh well cant be too much to lose only 20$

RunsWithBuffalo · Unread post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:51 am

DONT GET THOSE! You will get frustrated and probably quit trying. I highly reccomend the Hohner Marine Band harmonicas. They are $20 each and well worth it. in all honesty you cant get a decent harmonica for less than that. They are harder to play (Bending notes is difficult, the really low and really high notes are muffled) and they wont last you long. Start with one good harmonica and progress from there. A good harp player can use one harmonica very effectively by bending notes to fit the key of the song.

neophyte · Unread post by **neophyte** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 1:14 pm

Hohner Special 20

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=420670

Lee Oskar Major Diatonic

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=423600

Those seem to be decent harmonicas what do you guys think? I am gonna start with a "C" from the reading Ive done.

RunsWithBuffalo · Unread post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 2:28 pm

yeah, those look pretty good. Have fun with them!

HumbleMonkey · Unread post by **HumbleMonkey** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:07 pm

i started playing with those $25 sets of C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb. of course they werent fantastic sound but they get the job done for learning. i wouldnt want to spend much money if you are just starting. if you stick with it then i suggest also the Hohner Marine Band harmonicas, i have those and really like the sound.

dmb66 · Unread post by **dmb66** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:48 pm

Ok slightly off topic but I've been trying to learn how to bend notes on a harmonica and can't do it for my life. I have a Hohner, but I couldn't tell you what model. I garuntee you that it's cheap though because my grandfather gave it to me like 15 years ago and it came with a little starter kit. Regardless, is it my harp or me?

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