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/Proper_Capital_594 • 2h ago
Hi all recently ordered this book which should be accompanied by an audio cassette. Needless to say the cassette is missing. Does anyone know if the audio is available to download anywhere?
r/harmonica • u/arsenik-han • 3h ago
Hi. I'm a total harmonica noob.
I just bought one to play Snufkin songs, I thought I don't need anything fancy or great as it's gonna be more a toy than a serious hobby for me.
I picked the vintage chromatic hohner in key C. the description said it's "in good, used condition with no damage", but straight away I noticed that some notes are weaker and delayed, and some pretty much don't come out at all.
From my understanding, the plastic bits are windsavers and are needed for the harmonica to play properly. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Well, anyway, I decided why not, and took it apart to have a good look. Seems like some are bent, and many are missing?
So what should I do? Can I fix it? Is it worth fixing it? Do I have grounds to return it as item not matching description? I definitely learned my lesson to be more careful buying on eBay lol
r/harmonica • u/EyePatch503 • 5h ago
I just bought my first harmonica online, but I'm not sure whether the first few holes are defective or if it's simply due to my lack of knowledge and technique. How can I tell if the harmonica is working properly?
r/harmonica • u/CottonFlannel • 9h ago
This is pretty old I still had dark hair. But was showing someone else some I thought I’d drop a little straight harp
r/harmonica • u/Yowmiyeli_Isci • 3h ago
or is there a problem with my harmonica
r/harmonica • u/Cultural_Setting6931 • 12h ago
Last YEAR I bought a Non slider side orange non slider by Seydel. that was nice I didn't have to push a lever . I heard from a fellow player to get the CHROMATIX. I was told to try a Chromatics by Suzuki. ANY SUGGESTIONS ILL APPRECIATE. THANKS. My budget, is around $300.
r/harmonica • u/Next-Advantage-6049 • 8h ago
r/harmonica • u/real-life-yonro • 19h ago
I'm planning to buy a harmonica, absolutely beginner at it. East top one is not that budget friendly for me, I want to start with a cheaper version, will upgrade once I get a hold of it...!
r/harmonica • u/Next-Advantage-6049 • 23h ago
I'm playing Paul Butterfield's rendition of the Jazz instrumental Work Song on a key of B-flat Special 20 harmonica in Second Position (B-flat harp played in F). I have been working on this song for the past two plus months. I still don't think it's quite perfect, but I did my best to play it as well as I can. I hope that you enjoy my harmonica playing.
Tablature:
-2"/-2 -3' +4 -4'/-4 -4 +4 -4 -5
-2 -2 -3' +4 -2 -2/-2" -1 -1
-2 -2 -3' +4 -4/-4 -4 +4 -4 -5
-4 -4 -5 -4 -5 -4 +4 -4 +6 -4 +4 -3' -2
-2 -2 -2"/-2 -3' -2 -2 -3' +4 -4/-4 -3 -2
-3' -4 -2 -2" -1 -4' -4 -4' +4
-2 -3' -4' +4 -3 +4 -3' -2 -2"/-2
r/harmonica • u/otakubatata_ • 1d ago
I'm poor and I want to buy my first harmonica. I'm thinking of buying a Hohner Blues Bender, the transparent one. Can you give me recommendations for others?
r/harmonica • u/Hot-Loan-4485 • 1d ago
Reposting to see if anyone hasn info about this old Super Chromonica harmonica
r/harmonica • u/maestraantonia • 1d ago
Hi, I play my harmonica through a dynamic microphone (not a bullet mic) connected to a Fender Frontman 15G amp. The signal runs through a Flamma FC07 Overdrive, a JOYO Voodoo Fuzz Octave, and an M-WAVE Miniuniverse. Everything works fine until I play with my band and have to turn up the volume; then, I start getting a lot of feedback. I’m on a tight budget, and I’ve seen people get good results using a noise reducer pedal for this. I know LoneWolf pedals are often the top recommendation, but I can't afford one. I was considering the Behringer NR300, but I don't want to make a rash purchase. Can anyone offer some advice?
r/harmonica • u/Intelligent_Star_516 • 1d ago
I had a nastygram in my inbox from Rockin' Ron because I didn't submit my review yet for the JDR Evolution (aluminum comb, square holes, square fatty cover plates, flush reed plate, rounded endes and no burrs, and LOUD) that I received last week.
If you're interested in my opinion on this new design from JDR, click over to Rockin' Ron's page and scroll down to the reviews:
https://rockinronsmusic.com/products/jdr-evolution-harmonica-includes-free-usa-shipping
r/harmonica • u/lerukatu • 1d ago
Hello! I was finding as teacher but leason of the teacher i wanted is full so i couldn't have lesson.
Therefore i'd like to learn blues harmonica in the internet.
I want to learn : arrange songs, blues theory and improvisation, techniques.
Can you recommend some sites?
Thank you for read this!
r/harmonica • u/KH-XYZ • 1d ago
During the era of vibe coding, simple programming ideas are relatively simple to implement in an evening, so I made a web application where you can mouse press piano keys with sound to shoot C chromatic tabs. Also holes with repeated pitches one can hover their mouse over the tab to choose the most optimal hole for playing. I don't think I have seen this idea anywhere else, but feel free to copy the idea for example to diatonic.
The link to test is here (most likely does not function as intended on mobile)
Keep in mind this is just a prototype idea and it may contain still minor bugs. Also I did not yet implement the possibility of writing chords, double stops, rythms, alternative tunings, other further ideas etc... Let me know what you think.
r/harmonica • u/Grapefruit_Sour • 1d ago
I'm a Harmonica player in Salt Lake. You may have seen me busking downtown on 3rd and main next to the typewriter poets.
I've been out consistently Friday and Saturday nights for over a year and a half. During that time, I've had dozens of people take videos of me playing, but I seem to only have just a handful because it's hard to film myself while using my phone for backing tracks.
I'm putting this out there in hopes that maybe anyone here has seen me and has video of me playing! Any length and any quality is fine! I just want to keep videos for my collection and maybe post a couple.
r/harmonica • u/gmanfsu • 1d ago
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The other hobby is photography/videography...
4 days after starting to learn was able to record the harmonica part!
That's a black crowned night heron in the video (well, the first bird on the post drying its wings is an anhinga)...
r/harmonica • u/Architechtory • 2d ago
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r/harmonica • u/mortal_shu • 1d ago
Plss suggest me some english or hindi songs that I can play on this harmonica currently I can play 3 song
1) piano man
2) put your head on my shoulders
3)Char kadam
Plss suggest me some more interesting song that I can play on this
r/harmonica • u/moss_404 • 2d ago
I bought a harmonica yesterday. It’s very fun to play I am learning the piano man intro and ode to joy .
Any tips would be appreciated 🙆♂️
r/harmonica • u/afghanistanhorse • 1d ago
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hello!!! This is my first post in this subreddit because I literally got this harmonica today LOL
So I finally caved and just got this Fender Blues Deluxe harmonica (key of C) off of Amazon because I just needed an affordable version for this hobby. In my head this is probably my first red flag, buying a harmonica off of amazon……
I just don’t know how to fix this??? The rest of my harmonica sounds great on my part and I know music basics as I play piano and guitar, but it’s this first hole that I really don’t know what’s up. I would love to just know how to fix it if there’s any way. I have attached a video so you guys could hear.
The problem is the first hole when I blow out sounds awful. It either sounds like nothing or squeaking, while the other notes ring really well and clear (and on pitch). Any advice will do!
r/harmonica • u/cwc80 • 2d ago
Hi, I just ordered my first harmonica. I’m trying to sort through all the different beginner videos on YouTube, and trying to figure out a plan to get going with this. My main interest is in playing traditional 19th-century American songs. I’m having a hard time telling which beginner tutorials would be good for that, and which are more blues oriented. Any specific suggestions for videos or channels? Any advice on which techniques are essential, and ones that I don’t really need to learn?
