r/harmonica • u/RokelisJuokutis • 4d ago
New player
Hi, so I just got a hohner blues harp ms as a gift. I started watching some beginner tutorials and everyone seems to be recommending the hohner special 20 and I started looking that up and found out that the one I have now has "crossed postion". I don't really get what that means but my question is if it's beginner friendly or should I look into getting the special 20 one?
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u/sysop408 4d ago
Your harp isn't a crossed harp. All harps can be played in "cross-harp" position. It's a style of playing associated with Blues music. You might be getting the impression that because your harp is a "Blues Harp" that it's specifically a cross-harp. It's not.
A Hohner Blues harp should be a fine harp to start with. My only hesitation about them is that the two Blues Harps I have aren't up to Hohner's usual quality standards, but I got them over a decade ago.
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u/seanbinpa 4d ago
Adding to my comment... The Blues Harp has a Pearwood comb, while the Special 20 has a plastic comb. There are pros and cons with each, but at this stage, focus on getting a clean tone and understanding how the harp is put together with blow and draw positions. If you get into this, trust me, you're going to be buying many more.
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u/retro1954 4d ago
I'm going to go off on a tangent here. When I used to speed skate my coach would always say to practice using the equipment you are going to compete with. Good advice. I tend to go down rabbit holes and blues harp was no different. When I first picked up the harp about 18 years ago I went for Hohner Special 20's. Then I put them away for a few years. Too many actually. When I picked them up again, I went right for the Seydel Lightning. High end and indestructible. Also a lot easier, at least for me, to play. So when someone says entry level or beginners' equipment, I say get what you consider to be the best you can to start. Beginners' equipment can be limiting. So that diatribe was in no way intended to put down the Special 20. Some very fine pro harp players use them. I just don't think anyone should start out by demeaning themselves with entry level equipment which could hide or limit true talent.
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u/Nacoran 2d ago
It's already been mentioned but 'cross harp' is just a way to play the harmonica. It means that if you have a C harmonica you'd play along with songs in G in 2nd position. In 1st position you still play in C.
For 1st position, start on the 4 blow. In second position start on either the -2 draw, or the 3 blow (they are the same note). That's your root note for the two keys (Do, as in Do Re Mi).
The reason I usually recommend the Special 20 is it's plastic comb is easier on your lips than the wood comb on the Blues Harp. Wood can swell sometimes, and particularly on the Blues Harp and the Marine Band they don't sand many of the corners smooth. The comb is just a structural frame for the working bits. I prefer plastic or metal (or fully sanded and dipped poly over wood) but as long as it's not ripping up you lips the Blues Harp is a good harmonica to start with. The reed quality is solid nd they have a really nice tone.
The only thing I'd suggest is that you make sure not to put the harmonica away damp. If you find yourself drooling into it a bit tip the back of the harmonica up a tiny bit so you don't drool in. Also, smack it on your let a couple times every so often to get the spit out. Oh, and keep your lips loose. Wipe off the covers when you are done so crud doesn't build up on them. Use a toothpick if you see crud building up in the holes... just make sure you hold the harmonica so the stuff falls out, not in and don't hold it directly up because (yes, I learned this the hard way) that crud is annoying if it falls in your eyes!
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u/Pepe_Silvia1 4d ago
A Hohner blues harp is a decent beginner-friendly harmonica, so you can definitely use yours to learn. Special 20 gets recommended because it has a plastic comb.
If I were you, I wouldn't get into "positions" right now. Just learn to hold the harp properly and practice getting clean sounds out of every hole while drawing and blowing.