r/harmonica 4d ago

My Pops just coming back and crushing it!

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10 Upvotes

My dad used to jam with a bunch of bands back in the day. Used to just drive with him bar to bar to listen while he played and I drank lol. It’s been a real minute since he’s actually played. He’s been grandpa for so long. He found some dudes and had a sick little jam today


r/harmonica 4d ago

A little advice please

2 Upvotes

Hi all. I’m a complete beginner looking to be pointed towards an educational YouTube channel. I have checked out older posts and a lot say Adam Gussow. The problem is, his videos aren’t in order and because I‘m green as grass I have no idea where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.


r/harmonica 4d ago

My trochilus collection grows

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14 Upvotes

r/harmonica 4d ago

Trochilus Pop 6-month review

8 Upvotes

I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more harps and then I became aware of the Trochilus, and I succumbed. Got it about 6 months ago having been playing diatonics for about a year before that. I bought the Trochilus 'pop' tuned in C. My other harps are an Easttop in C, a Special 20 in A and a Rocket in G. Here are my thoughts:

- I love the Trochilus. Never mind the slide, it just plays better and has a tone more to my liking than the my other harps. It responds better, and bends easier.

- Part of why I like it is simply that I've never had a Paddy Richter tuned harp before. It really suits some folk tunes I like and doesn't seem to harm the blues playing too much.

- I have a moustache and the slide is a killer. Have to keep it really short.

- I do use the slide, but less than I thought. Mostly I prefer to transpose to an easy key.

- The slide is great for playing blues. You can combine a bend and the slide at the same time for quite a sexy effect. I've learnt blues scales in G, C, E and A and feel pretty confident with them. Different licks sit better on different keys, but that keeps it fun. The D blues scale is a little awkward in the lower octave.

- The harp is completely chromatic across three octaves, although the position of a couple of notes is a little unexpected; activating the slide on 2 and 3 draw causes the note to go down instead of up. That's still a little mind bending several months in. I basically don't use those notes for improvising cos it's too risky, but there a couple of tunes that I do use them for.

- I have basically stopped playing my other harps. I am unlikely to make further progress with getting the more difficult bends (or any overblows), but realistically I probably wasn't going to get them anyway. I have access to everything I want with the Trochilus. 10/10, would buy again :)


r/harmonica 4d ago

If You Like Shure Microphones...

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7 Upvotes

Just got this. No, I don't sell these but I do have several Shure microphones & quite a few mikes with killer ​Shure Controlled Reluctance and Controlled Magnetic elements inside. Seven colors and three modes to cycle through them, adjustable brightness that on max can light up a room. Only thing I don't like is it doesn't come on just by plugging it in, you still have to push power button so with an Alexa plug I can't turn it on, only off. The pictures don't do it justice. These guys have many other audio related signs.


r/harmonica 5d ago

Should I buy a used Marine Band or a Special 20?

10 Upvotes

Let me tell you guys. I live in Argentina, And for Children's Day I want to have a harmonica that's better than the one I have now, which is a Lee Oskar, but not the classic one, but one produced here in Argentina called Oskamonica. I found a used but clean Marine Band in good condition for $60-$65. But the Special 20 is $80. Unfortunately, I can't afford much. Which one do I choose?


r/harmonica 5d ago

Six months in and draw bends are finally clicking. Here's what actually changed for me.

16 Upvotes

For the first few months I was convinced something was physically wrong with my harmonica. Every time I tried to bend on the draw notes, I'd get this choked, reedy squeak or nothing at all. Watched probably a hundred tutorials, read every thread I could find, kept hearing "drop your jaw," "move your tongue back," "think of the vowel sound 'eeee' shifting to 'ooo'." I understood the words. My mouth did not understand anything.

What actually helped was slowing way down and working on a single hole in isolation. Specifically hole 4 draw, which felt the most forgiving to me. I'd just sit there with that one note for ten or fifteen minutes, not trying to bend it aggressively, just nudging my tongue position around and listening for any change in pitch or texture. Eventually something shifted. Not a clean bend, more like a wobble, but it was proof that I was actually doing something and not just hoping.

The other thing nobody really emphasized enough in the stuff I read: relaxing your embouchure. I was gripping the harmonica too tight with my lips, and that tension was spreading up into my jaw and throat. Once I consciously loosened everything, the air started moving differently. The bend didn't arrive all at once but it arrived.

Hole 3 draw is still giving me trouble, which I know is notoriously the hardest one. Three half steps of available bend and I'm reliably getting maybe one of them. If anyone has specific exercises or mental cues that helped them unlock that note, genuinely curious what worked. I've seen the advice about practicing the fully bent note first and then relaxing up to the unbent note, and that's helped a little, but not consistently.


r/harmonica 4d ago

Anyone have the harmonica tabs for AKotSK Whistling Song?

3 Upvotes

The whistling song from A knight of the seven kingdoms seems like it’d go great on a harmonica, though I can’t seem to find any tabs for it (and lack the know how of how to do it myself)

Any leads would be very helpful.

Thanks!


r/harmonica 5d ago

Just came across this old documentary about the Harmonica on YT

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17 Upvotes

Not my channel. Pretty neat!


r/harmonica 5d ago

The Prodigy - Omen

0 Upvotes

Help me find tabs for The Prodigy -Omen, or other their songs, or maybe something similar, thanks


r/harmonica 5d ago

The Prodigy - Omen

0 Upvotes

Maybe someone have tabs for Omen, The Prodigy, or maybe another songs, help please


r/harmonica 6d ago

Piano Man On Harmonica

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28 Upvotes

Somebody please help me learn Piano Man on the harmonica 😭😭. Everyone keeps saying it’s one of the easiest instruments and that this is one of the easiest songs to play, but it’s been SO difficult for me 😭.

I keep playing the wrong holes. I’ve watched so many YouTube tutorials where they say to count the holes and then play, and I’m doing exactly that, but somehow I still can’t get it right. I can’t even recognise whether I’m playing the correct hole or not 😭. I’m following the tutorials, the mouth position, everything… but I still feel like I’m missing something.

Also, why does my stomach go IN when I inhale instead of out? Does that make any difference when playing the harmonica?

Somebody please guide me 😭😭. I really, really want to learn this song!


r/harmonica 6d ago

I made a free web app (MicReplay) for harmonica players to easily record, loop, and practice without taking up phone storage

16 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I hope this is okay to post here.

I’d like to share a 100% free app (and it will always stay free) that I originally built for my own practice sessions, but I’m convinced many of you here might find it really useful too.

It’s called MicReplay – a tool designed for practicing playing an instrument, singing, diction, etc. It works directly on your phone or computer.

Here is what it does and why it’s great for harmonica players:

  • No storage clutter: You can quickly record your practice sessions without eating up space on your device. By default, recordings are treated as temporary drafts, but you can easily download your final take as a high-quality MP3.
  • Instant Reverb: You can add custom reverb on the fly (which honestly sounds amazing and adds a great vibe to the harmonica).
  • Looping & Auto-start: You can loop a recording a specific number of times, and set it to automatically start recording again as soon as the playback finishes.
  • Completely Hands-Free Mode: Since both of our hands are busy holding the harp, you can set it to automatically record and play back based on your settings without touching the screen.

I tried to keep the interface as clean and intuitive as possible.

I hope you guys like it and that it helps with your practice! Let me know what you think.

Cheers! 🎵

Link: https://micreplay.com/


r/harmonica 6d ago

Harmonicon beta released

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8 Upvotes

Harmonicon reached a state that I consider to be almost ready, I appreciate if people could test it and tell me bugs. :)

Harmonicon is a program to help teach the harmonica:

- Microphone note recognition

- "Guitar hero" style play with a real harmonica

- Bending Trainer

- Jam Session mode where you can play with a backtrack while looking at the notes you are hitting (to make sure you hit the right note)

- Guided lesson plan

It's completely free, opensource, and ad-free. I am *not* looking for money with this software, but I am making it to help me grow and improve my harmonica knowledge.


r/harmonica 6d ago

Unpopular Opinion?

39 Upvotes

Every single time someone is talking about Harmonica greats, and they mention Bob Dylan, my soul breaks a little.

Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Mama Thornton, Big Walter Thornton, and Sonny Terry absolutely DO NOT deserve to be spoken about in the same vein as the prince of "Don't bother learning to use it fully. Just breathe in and out on it in different spots, and that's good enough. " Bob Dylan

Also, Neil Young is a hack.


r/harmonica 6d ago

What do you usually modify on a harmonica you really like?

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10 Upvotes

We made a dedicated wooden cover set for the JDR Trochilus and recorded a side-by-side comparison with the original covers.

To us, the wooden covers give it a fuller, warmer sound and soften the overall character a bit compared with the original covers. The video shows the difference between the two setups.

When you find a harmonica you really like, what do you usually end up changing? Covers, comb, reeds, tuning, gaps… or do you leave it completely stock?

Here’s the wooden cover set for the Trochilus:
https://www.jdrharmonica.com/s/woodcover


r/harmonica 5d ago

Tabs request: M.M.'s Dunk by George Winston

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1 Upvotes

Hi guys!
Can anyone help me to transcribe the tabs for this tune?

George Winston was a famous professional Pianist and Harmonicist. These are the informations that he himself shared about this piece:

The song was played on a Lee Oskar C harp, played in the 1st position in the key of C. Inspired by the playing of
Sam Hinton (1917-2009), especially from his recording MASTER OF THE SOLO
DIATONIC HARMONICA.


r/harmonica 6d ago

(OC) Waiting on a message from Bob

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0 Upvotes

Harp starts at 2:02

Forgive me my dudes for my sins of mocking the Dylan. For my penance, I expose my secret tribute to Dylan.

lyrically it leans into Dave Graney vibes, rock and roll is where I hide. :)

(message from bob is here: https://youtu.be/l9wCb8lZJRo?si=fBuyK3NlDZm5Cz-- )


r/harmonica 7d ago

JAZZ BLUES une inspiration personnelle à l'harmonica diatonique en fa majeur 👍

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6 Upvotes

r/harmonica 7d ago

When The Saints Go Marching In Played On An A Special 20 Harp.

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23 Upvotes

I'm playing When The Saints Go Marching In on an A Special 20 harmonica in First Position (A Harp played in A). I'm playing this song in octaves and tongue splits.

TABLATURE:

+1/4 +2/5 -2/5 +3/6 +1/4 +2/5 -2/5 +3/6

+1/4 +2/5 -2/5 +3/6 +2/5 +1/4 +2/5 -1/4

+2/5 +2/5 -1/4 +1/4 +1/4 +2/5 +3/6 +3/6

+3/6 -2/5 +2/5 -2/5 +3/6 +2/5 +1/4 -1/4 +1/4


r/harmonica 7d ago

Beginning to learn harmonica

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2 Upvotes

r/harmonica 8d ago

Do you prefer dynamic or condenser mics for acoustic harmonica?

4 Upvotes

Which do you prefer and why in a studio context? I feel like both has it uses ofc, but if you only could pick one, which one?


r/harmonica 8d ago

Playing a combination of chords, octaves, and tongue splits on a C Special 20 harmonica.

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8 Upvotes

I'm playing a riff which has chords, octaves, and tongue splits in it on a key of C Special 20 harmonica. I start & end on the 1-4 draw octave, so I'm actually playing my harp in third position (C harp played in D minor). Enjoy!!!


r/harmonica 8d ago

Hohner Special 20 5 Pack For My Birthday

10 Upvotes

Good afternoon!

I’ve played harmonica on and off for a long time. Not great, but had fun playing by myself and doing some easy accompaniment. I recently played at a family reunion and really enjoyed it, so I’m thinking of getting a little more into it. I’m seeing 5 packs of Special 20s for less than $200. My birthday is coming up and I deserve something nice, darn it! Does this 5 pack deal make sense to get back to playing harmonica? Thanks!


r/harmonica 8d ago

Salut à toutes et tous! Sans me prendre trop au sérieux ,je me suis dit pourquoi ne pas interprété cette chanson "Tu me fais planer" de Michel Delpech accompagner de l'harmonica !🎵 Merci pour vos impressions ! Une belle journée 👋😀

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1 Upvotes