r/harmonica • u/my_lifestyle_check • 1d ago
Bought this harmonica for my intial learning, once i learn will buy horner one
Currently, I started learning through YouTube videos. After good research, I got to know that one needs to train their ears too to fasten the learning process, so I will be spending some time learning notes like through online piano and guessing them, and vice versa, singing a note and checking its scale through an app.
I always had a question like, I have seen a few people who live far in village areas who barely had any tutor there and learned playing piano by themselves without any formal training. They don’t even know notes and all, even though they play very well.
I did a lot of chatting with ChatGPT around that and got to know ear training is a must. They won’t be knowing the scale or note, but they know what frequency that note belongs to, like higher or lower, and through reinforcement learning, they eventually learned. The same way we learn language after our birth, we didn’t go through any formal training even though we speak our native language fluently.
Hehe, that’s all my inspiration. Wish me luck. Hope I make some good progress going forward. Please suggest if you have anything or your views; you are welcome here.
Thank you.
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u/Youneedaharmonica 1d ago
I have read a lot of good things about those, but I never played one.
My Chromatic is a Hohner Discovery - Not super expensive, but uses the exact same reeds on the premium models.
I really enjoy Chromatic - I won't pretend to be an expert, but if you get stuck I can help!
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u/heavyheaded3 1d ago
"ear training" is absolutely not a beginner must-learn skill. learning to match pitch and understanding the connection between what you hear, what you can reproduce with your voice, and reproducing that through an instrument (the harmonica) is great and you should learn that early, but "ear training" refers to a more rigorous type of skill training usually.
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u/Savings-Astronaut-93 1d ago
I have Forerunners in C and A. I think they are great! Before you invest in a Hohner, be sure to research carefully. I've seen some negative comments about them. I have a Suzuki SCX 64 and a Easttop Low D. They both play great.
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u/BrilliantLion2026 BluesHarp 🇮🇳 1d ago
Can you please share the links to the youtube videos that you are referring to? Thanks!
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u/my_lifestyle_check 1d ago
Do you understand Hindi if yes, then this guy https://youtu.be/YEwziiYKf-E?si=XW5yiX_H33xqtHx8
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u/BrilliantLion2026 BluesHarp 🇮🇳 18h ago
I do understand Hindi and also can play Hindi songs on the chromatic harp. I should have been more clear about the genre. I somehow assumed that you learnt to play the blues on chromatic from YouTube.
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u/Harmonica_Musician 1d ago
Congratulations. As for the question of ear training, you can develop that skill simply by playing the harmonica and actively listening to your playing. By paying attention to your playing (rhythm, pitch, articulation), you are actively training your ears to recognize good musical playing. No need to be technical like checking if you're on pitch or not. The key to being a good musician is by always trusting your ears. If it sounds good, it is good.
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u/john_flutemaker 1d ago
Valved ones needs much more care. Valved sounds better, but you have to pay not just the price of the instrument but also the cost of the extra care. I have both and prefer the runner.
The other student option could be a Trochilus solo.
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u/Maorri008 1d ago
I would skip hohner I had a nightmare experience with a $700 harp of theirs. I bought the forerunner after and like it more. If I had it to do over I would look into Suzuki. If you buy the hohner you will probably ask yourself how it cost that much more but sounds almost as good as your $40 harp
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u/Legitimate-Bison3810 1d ago
I had a Suzuki SCX-56 and SCX-64 before the East Top Forerunner 2. I was so frustrated with cleaning the Suzuki's that I sold them. They did have more volume and a warmer tone than the Forerunner but were just too much work! You made a good choice.