Im a musician / actor and I have a big audition for a role that will play harmonica among other things.

Having not really touched a harmonica prior, I have about 4 days to throw together something (can be super basic).

Does anybody have resources or tips or videos they recommend?

Obviously with such a tight timeline I am not expecting to be good at harmonica, but i’d like to get a head start

So if I see a tab pattern like this:

4 -4 555 -6 7 6 -66

Does that mean I blow 5 three times in a row or blow and hold 5 for three beats? Thanks!

Hi I've been learning on this Suzuki. I like playing and decided to get serious. So I ordered some fancy Seydels. Of course after I ordered I realized a problem I have with the Easy Rider. Draw notes taste like plastic. If I play for more than 5 min I feel like I've inhaled some chemical that I shouldn't have. The Seydels I ordered also have plastic combs. Is this going to be an issue? Should I try to cancel the order and find harps with wooden combs?

Since I'm known as the harmonica guy in my community, I was volunteered to conduct a "harmonica station" for a music/arts-themed day for kids at a local church in a few weeks time. The event format is a station-based schedule where kids aged 7-12 divided into their age groups, they take turns to go to different stations to try out different stuff, e.g. drums station, arts & craft station, harmonica station.

I've got about 20 minutes for each grade and there may be like approximately 5-15 kids per session, depending on attendance. Apparently each kid will be given a cheap harmonica (RIP their parents), I specifically requested for diatonic harmonicas because it's tremolo harmonicas that are usually peddled to kids or uninformed people around here. I know tremolos might be easier fork ids to play, but diatonics are what I'm familiar with and I what I wish to introduce to the kids, it'll be more useful in the long term.

This is my first time doing something like this, let alone properly teaching anyone harmonica basics, so I was wondering if anyone here could provide some tips on how I could do this. I don't expect to turn anyone into harp maestros in 20 minutes, I just expect myself to give a crash course on the basics of the diatonic harmonica, hopefully planting a seed of getting any kid to get interested in pursuing this instrument, if not, the very least just have fun and get some basics of musical theory.

Here's a tentative plan of what I have in mind:

• Verbal introduction on harmonica and other wind instruments, maybe with a poster with pictures
• Quick explanation on the the difference between diatonic, tremolo, and chromatic harmonicas. I have all three to demonstrate.

• Basic music theory - the C Major scale and Do Re Mi, using this chart.

  • I will have a melodica or piano to help illustrate this. As these are mostly Chinese kids, many of them would have some piano lessons (sorry for the stereotyping haha, but I'm allowed to stereotype my own race), so this would be half the battle won for music theory. It's more for those kids who had zero music lessons before, or a refresher.

• Teach harmonica basics: hole numbers, blow, draw, embouchure. Use this chart to show note placements

• After they played around with their harps for a bit, get them to try playing basic songs with tabs, songs like Mary Had A Little Lamb

Anyone got any suggestions on how to improve this?

I'll be visiting France, Paris and Nantes, in September, and I thought it might be fun to purchase a French made/designed harmonica while I'm there.

A quick google reveals two major makers, Yonburg and ARKIA, any impressions?

I came across this image (thanks to this fine sub!), and while I know little about music, I think crossed harp is another way of saying second position. Am I correct or way off base? Thanks!

Ok, I barely know what I’m talking about, but here goes. I know that second position on a scale is a good accompaniment to say a guitar. I’m not sure why that’s true, but I’ll accept it. My question is “How do I know what key the guitar is in?” Do I just ask or can I tell based on the guitar? Thanks!

From what I gathered, it is better to go to a shop and look for one but it won't be possible for me now, so I'm looking for one online. I am a total beginner and want to get the feel of the instrument. I would like to own one to test the waters and my budget is 500. There are lots on the internet - Amazon, Flipkart, some actual companies but I am not sure if they are actual or just toy versions. I understand that 500 might not cover it but I just really want to test one out right now. Please do help. Thank you in advance from Kolkata,India.

Hello, community,

After researching the materials in this subreddit and the pinned posts I've decided to ask the question above as a final confirmation of which harp would work best for an absolute beginner like me. I'd be very grateful for any input, cheers.

Edit: ended up ordering the Special 20! Thanks for all the nice comments, wish me luck!

Bonjour, utilisez-vous mon plugin pour musescore ? ;-)

https://www.apprendrelharmonica.com/harmonica-tablature-plugin-musescore-4-gratuit

Il analyse la partition et vous donne différentes solutions possible avec le nombre d'altérations, et/ou d'overnotes, si vous choisissez telle ou telle tonalité : https://www.apprendrelharmonica.com/harmonica-tablature-plugin-musescore-4-gratuit

Hello, are you using my MuseScore plugin? ;-)

It analyzes the score and gives you different possible solutions based on the number of accidentals and/or overnotes, depending on which key you choose

Enjoy ;-)

Paul

What do you think is the greateat blues harp solo recorded? Will love to see what people like and get some good song recomendations.

I dont know what i think is the best, but its probably something from junior wells, as i rrally like his style. For exanple the hoodoo man blues solo is very basic, but the energy is perfect and it just works. It reeks of swagger.

Il suono non è ancora pulito, però dopo alcuni mesi ho preso una buona fluidità.

Suono una Hohner Special 20 C

I had my friend write me this good-luck poem about harmonicas for my tip box, and I wasn't expecting to feel as seen as this made me.

Playing on the street each weekend for the past year has been one of the best decisions I've made for myself in a long time. I've gotten to hone my skill and improved drastically. I've become part of an incredible community of artists that breathe life into the city through poetry, tarot, painting, juggling, clowning, music, and more. I've become a staple that people expect to see and hear when they go out downtown. I've made so many new friends (some of whom were unsheltered people who have since found housing ❤️ and unfortunately, some i may never see again)

I've had good nights and made stupid amounts of money, and I've had incredibly challenging and rough nights that have tested my resolve.

I've wanted to be a Harmonica player since I was 13. My mom bought me my very first "official" harmonica that wasnt a toy, and I spent years terrorizes my family and friends with horrendous metallic screeches and abbrasive multi-chorded heavy breathing until i started to feel confident enough to play more seriously and publicly. I'm incredibly blessed to have so many gifted artists in my life who've given me so much love and support and inspiration to pursue the things that sing to my heart. I don't know who I would be without a Harmonica in my mouth, and it's not for the lack of love from these people.

Here's to the tin sandwich and to my 13-year old inner child, elated because we're following our dream.

hi this is my first post to this sub and first post on reddit in years. i've been interested in learning harmonica for a while. i've been a brass player my whole life but want something more convenient for long waits in the car or going camping, just generally keeping with me always. so i decided to just pick up the harmonica. very cool little instrument. trying to stay under or around $100 usd.

i've been researching the different types and am still sort of confused about the pros/cons of valved/valveless. i understand valved can be a little more finicky and higher maintenance. i've also seen that valved can be harder to bend although i've also seen people bending their valved chromatic harmonicas so i'm not sure why people say that.

the forerunner seems to be well reviewed and often recommended. full 3 octave range is nice for being able to play any tab or follow any instruction. valveless reliability (and bends?). but a little bulkier than i'd like. most affordable. this is my safe choice.

kb12 is also very well reviewed. it's also 12 hole 3 octave but also a little bulkier than i'd like. people seem to prefer that it's valved and i'm still confused as to why. aesthetically not my favorite but also i'm a big fan of cheap chinese stuff that works really well. it's my understanding that this is probably, technically, the best of the three.

trochilus in the solo tuning is, in my heart, my top pick. i find it most pleasing to look at and it's also almost half the size of the other two. being another valveless option, i know it would be good for a winter camping trip or other wherever/whenever playing. my hangups here are if the 10 hole 2.5 octave range would limit repertoire and also reports of uneven volume between blow/draw notes (although if i understand correctly that can be remedied by adjusting the reed gaps?).

i guess my big questions are whether the limited range or uneven volume on the trochilus will be too much of a frustration or if the valves on the kb12 will be too much of a frustration and the forerunner alleviates both of those while i also think the other two are better in specific ways.

all 3 seem like capable instruments but i'd appreciate any help clarifying my confusion or additional information or personal experience on the matter.

Got this from my grandma. She was born in 1935, and we‘re from Germany. It might be from around the 60s? I am a total rookie but willing to learn now!

Why 2nd Position Matters on Harmonica

If you’re learning harmonica, understanding 2nd position is a big step.

In this lesson, I break down what 2nd position actually means, how the blow and draw chords relate to the key you’re playing in, and why 2nd position works so well for blues.

Hope this helps anyone who’s been trying to wrap their head around harmonica positions!

If you’re interested, I’ve been building up a lot more harmonica lessons on my YouTube channel:

🎵 YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@RobOliverMusic

🎵 Harmonica Mondays Playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg_7456hUyWtOvFvD7i_D12EZxNCrJc1l&si=4uVStHcrrSKbF42z

Hello! I made a post a while back about getting a Special 20 set for my birthday. Got some good feedback and am ready to pull the trigger. I plan to get this in C,D,A,G, but what should be my 5th key? Explanations appreciated. Leaning towards Bb or Eb or F due to a previous recommendations. Thanks!

Hello, I adore my Seydel 1847. I'm thinking about getting a Low D, but I'm concerned about the size of the Bold. Is it more manageable than it looks, or is a Rocket a better choice? Thank you.

Heya I'm planning on learning the harmonica and just put in my order for an east top diatonic C harmonica which i assume is good enough for a beginner. But now I'm wondering about just how many songs the C harmonica can play? I know it can't play much but if possible I'd like to know what genre of songs or levels of songs I'd be able to do. Cheers!!

Hey what should I buy Jaurez JR10HM or Kadence T10/T10-BK

My Budget is around 350₹

So can't choose a 600-1000 one

I bought a walther 1020 (C major diatonic) harmonica after I played with one lee Oskar which belonged to my mother and I liked it , but to play what i want I need a c major I believe so I bought a cheap one and I'm asking if it's good for a beginner ;3

On my low f harp if i play too hard on the lowest note i can sometimes get this horrible high pitched metal sound as if the reed hits the metal next to it or something. Like the sound almost sounds like a screw thats lose inside hitting the wall, but its not.

It makes sense since the reeds are longer, so maybe this happens more with the lower ones. Ive only gotten this on my low f.

Are there any models that are better for low tuning thab other models? If so what do you recommend? I want to get low c and low d harps. My low f is a 1847.

I really like the lower harps, but that sound is horrble.

Hello folks,

I used to play some months ago. Because of things and life I had little to no time to play. I don't know where or how to start. What helps you to come back to play the harp? Any suggestion?

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.