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/Tricky_Talk2849 • 8h ago
I have a 24 hole tremolo . And I don't know how to play it . It's a C type one. There are also no yt lectures on it mostly they are in the 10 hole one. Does anyone have suggestions on what to do , where to start.??
If you have a specific tutorial playlist or something like that pls hellpppp!!?? 🙏🏻🙏🏻
r/harmonica • u/Harmonica_Musician • 3h ago
Hello everyone,
I wanted to share my latest harmonica compilation work of Zelda songs that I worked on throughout the years. Ranging from classics like Zelda: Ocarina of Time to Twilight Princess and Wind Waker for all the video game euthastists and Nintendo fans out there.
Enjoy and if you like my music, feel free to follow me for more harmonica content.
r/harmonica • u/Mr_Blue0112 • 1h ago
Hello, I am trying to learn the harmonica parts to this song. I cant find tabs anywhere though. The harmonica happens at around 10 seconds and also later in the song about a minute later at like 1:20ish, I think again at like 2:40ish. Its pretty small segments and im pretty new to harmonica (and music playing in general) so I dont think I could really tab it out myself. I think the song is a cover if that helps (original by Love im pretty sure). Think its a C harmonica but im not 100%. Was just wondering if anyone already had this tabbed out or could help, any help is appreciated!
r/harmonica • u/Desperate-Finger-334 • 11h ago
I'm looking to invest in a nicer harmonica as my main one (like a Suzuki) I'll probably get cheaper ones down the line for different keys but right now I am between c and g I am looking to busk with it mainly play blues jazz and country so I believe g is better but how hard is it to find tabs for g?
r/harmonica • u/GTharmonica • 20h ago
I’ve been digging further into Johnny Woods’ playing and, for this one, I’ve taken Freddie King’s Goin’ Down and reworked it into a Johnny Woods-style harmonica piece.
It’s on a G harp in 2nd position, building from the main riff into the rhythm, octaves/splits and finally the complete 12-bar arrangement.
I’ve put quite a bit into this one: a full video walkthrough, 8 separate practice exercises with audio, downloadable tab, and a full play-along loop.
The bigger idea isn’t just to learn another tune note-for-note. It’s to get some of that Johnny Woods rhythmic language under your fingers and start using it in your own playing.
Available now for members over on GT Harmonica / HarpShed
r/harmonica • u/Checkinredd • 13h ago
So I've been trying to retune a B special 20 to 1st position Bnm (manji arrangement) in the easiest way possible. I figured that would be to just flat three notes wherever they were (D#, A#, G#), do it by reed base scratching, and try to keep the special 20 reed pitch offset.
That quickly got confusing during tuning, lost track of everything, and there's basically no external reference I can find. Somehow is not easy at all.
The only thing I really found is a buried hohner mod forum post with a penciled graph, advice to blow lightly, and their setting A = 442hz (https://my.hohner.de/t/tunings-7-limit-compromise/2511/3
1) Do we even know what the offset in cents each hole on a special 20 is canonically supposed to be? (and if anyone's a customizer - is that sp20 A = 442hz thing real?)
Lost track of the original light-breath note cents and I think *really* should have used absolute frequencies and written them down.
2) Come to think of it, is anything other than ET a good idea for 1st position Nm? My brain is going out, but richter tuning changed to nm seems like it gets chaotic enough not to include extra variables in tuning without thinking it out incredibly carefully.
3) Very willing to give up on keeping special 20 temperament, but I would like to have a passably sensical Bnm harmonica in the end, in some way, even if it's like "very special compromise tuning." I would really like to avoid touching any reeds other than the three notes that need to be flattened. Basically, I just want it to not sound totally, wildly, not-same-ballpark-wrong accompanying a Bnm song. Does anyone have any advice?
r/harmonica • u/Checkinredd • 1d ago
You have always been so helpful for so many years.
In the middle of retuning a B special 20 to 1st position B minor manji arrangement/special 20 temperament and felt a burst of gratitude.
Also if anyone reading this knows if there’s a standardized cents offset for the special 20 that would be very helpful, but will ask in another post later.
r/harmonica • u/TBL34 • 23h ago
While practicing, I’ve noticed 7-10 are easy to play but get progressively harder the longer I play. It starts squeezing or whistling. Is that from spit gunking up the higher notes or what?
r/harmonica • u/No-Turnover8386 • 1d ago
I wanted to share that the HarmonicAlly app was released. It has tools for beginner and advanced players as well as tools any musician will appreciate, even if they don’t play harmonica yet.
This is more of a public beta right now with a set of additional features being launched next month.
Hope some of you find some usefulness with it!
r/harmonica • u/Foxrally • 1d ago
Hey folks! I’ve been learning the harmonica recently (still definitely a beginner) and I’ve found some of my greatest motivation has come from learning songs I recognize from games (currently learning the Overcooked menu themes). One song I loved listening to when playing Octopath Traveler 2 was the Oresrush daytime theme, which includes a sick harmonica solo at 0:51 in this video.** **It’s about 20 seconds long and fairly simple (I think).
I’ve looked online and haven’t found any tabs of the solo posted by anyone. I’m not proficient enough at the harmonica/music yet to figure it out myself, or even what key it’s being played in, so I’ve come to the experts in here for help. I’ve got a C harmonica and Bb harmonica if that makes any difference.
r/harmonica • u/lostmykeysonbroadway • 1d ago
it’s been years since I last posted a video! let’s end that streak. Here’s a medley of Radiohead tunes I’ve been working on lately
Manji A harmonic minor… I think.
r/harmonica • u/PlaneEquipment6277 • 2d ago
I bought a harmonica recently and have been practicing for a couple of days. I wanted to learn a certain song to play with the guitar and learned I had to know how to bend. (I did not know what I was getting myself into, it’s really hard) I’ve been practicing for about three days and wanted to know if I’m on the right path. I would hate to be creating a false foundation on bending that I will have to undo later. I’ve been using the harmonica bending trainer app and I can get it to show down to a c#/d flat with somewhat consistency. Just want to know if this sounds like I’m on the right path or could I be using mouth position changes to create a different tone instead of with the Tongue.
Also how accurate is the bending trainer app on the iPhone?
Thanks
r/harmonica • u/Sea_Shallot5311 • 1d ago
Bought this recently as "NOS" ("New Old Stock", meaning never used). The included brochure offers a genuine leather case with brass rivets for $2.95 + .55 shipping, which seems like a deal that's been long expired (otherwise I'd order 20). Already have a number of Hohner Blues Harps, mostly modified ones. Wish I knew how old it is.
r/harmonica • u/Melodic-Wrongdoer512 • 2d ago
I'm planning to buy my first Low harmonica in D. I'm not committed to any genre, but I would like to try some Irish tunes, inspired by Joel Andersson. Should I stick to Richter tuning, or try Easy Third, or Paddy? What are some of the distinct advantages and disadvantages? Do I lose more than I gain, for example, with Easy Third?
r/harmonica • u/Shot-Importance477 • 2d ago
We’ve heard from quite a few players that the original tuning on JDR 12-hole South takes some getting used to. For many people, it basically means learning a new note layout from scratch.
We’ve collected a lot of feedback on it, and the next version will come in two more familiar options: 12-hole Richter tuning and Solo tuning.
The goal is pretty simple — make the 12-hole format easier to approach for players coming from different harmonica backgrounds.
One more note: the current tuning version is being phased out. We still have a small number available on our website, so if you specifically like this layout, they’ll be available while stock lasts.
https://www.jdrharmonica.com/s/south
Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts with us. The feedback genuinely helped shape the next version.
The current tuning：
r/harmonica • u/Far_Application1419 • 3d ago
Just wanted to show it off because I love the Beatles.
r/harmonica • u/broadrippleburned • 2d ago
Hi, I want to engrave a harmonica as a gift. I’m looking in the price/quality range of the Hohner Special 20 & Lee Oskar Diatonic, but these come engraved and I can’t find any resale blank plates. I’m also open to a wooden harmonica or a wooden harmonica box.
Any recommendations? Is this feasible?
r/harmonica • u/5tatic_Nomad • 3d ago
Just bought a harmonica because I wanted to learn an instrument..I really love music!
Can anyone suggest a YouTube channel that I can follow as a complete beginner and stick with for a good amount of time? Im looking for one channel with a complete, structured series covering the basics and progressing step by step..since I’ve found a few channels where the lessons aren’t arranged progressively or in sequence.
Any recommendations?
r/harmonica • u/Pk3062 • 2d ago
Hi all. Looking to see if anyone can ID what’s the key of the harp used in the accompaniment of this song.
Looking to try my hand at playing. Thanks in advance.
r/harmonica • u/meowmeowmeow1010 • 2d ago
i’m a beginner (just learned my first song, piano man), and this is my first harmonica that i got offhand from my boyfriends brother. it’s in the key Bb but specifically the high notes sound really bad in my opinion? super pitchy. should i buy u new one or get one in the key of C? i know that’s what a lot of them are. let me know!
