Which harmonica should a beginner use--and NOT use?
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2024
- www.modernbluesharmonica.com/b...
A blues harmonica pro offers quick answers to common questions about the instrument. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
Here are two beginner's packages that will help you build on what I've shown you in this video:
Modern Blues Harmonica beginner's special:
www.tradebit.com/filedetail.p...
Modern Blues Harmonica beginner's deluxe:
www.tradebit.com/filedetail.p...
Please follow me on Twitter (@AdamGussow) and Medium.
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Perhaps you mean "Which" harmonica and not "What" harmonica.
Because there are more than one kind to choose from.
Great point. For the first time in 932 videos, I'm going to retitle a video based on a viewer comment. You win the lottery. I'm impressed!
@@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726 hello! I am a new harmonica I really love it btw, and I bough a Harmonica ‘The blues’ Is it a good harmonica also its A for new people.
Lovely to see grammar correction in a RUclips post.
FWIW, the correct way to say your second sentence is, "..., because there IS more than one kind from which to choose."
'Because' is a conjunction and so you cannot start a sentence with it; neither can you use a preposition, such as from, to end a sentence."
This is what is known in Shakespearean terms as hoist with your own petard. :D
Just saying.
(It's hard being a smart-arse, but somebody has to do it. :D )
@@malcolmharris5277 There's a competition to win petards? hehe
@@malcolmharris5277 own*
It's funny because as he says "Don't start with a $5 thing you get at a novelty store", I look down at my harmonica, which i just got yesterday for £5 at a novelty store lmfao.
Netto Games at least you didn't find yours in the attic mine tastes like shit
The harmonica you have is the best harmonica there is!
Snap!!
I`ve got my from Ali for 7 bucks so i should be good, right?
I have a blues band was $5. But the 2 hole do sent work
"mmmm, I got about 8 different harmonicas...'' Best lowkey flexing
Luis Guerrero Makin money blowing a little bad harp
In front of him right then. I'm guessing he has way more
"Plus the one that I play." >.
They ain't Lamborghinis? 😂
Goals lmao
As a novice giving harmonica a shot for the first time, I told the store that I was just beginning and was handed a Marine Band in C. I knew a C was the correct choice for a beginner. "Hohner" and "Marine Band" were names I already was aware of from long ago just seeing harps in general. However I was quickly discouraged by not being able to even draw that 2 hole, like is mentioned in this video. So I couldn't even practice the fundamentals without that shortcoming getting under my skin.
Much later I bumped into a musician who among other instruments played harmonica and he said without surprise at my problem, "Yeah. The Marine Band is hard to hit that note for a beginner." He still thought it was a good choice if you like to put power into your playing.
What I'm saying is that in my experience, if you go into a music store with a staff of sales people and they want to get you sold and on your way, they'll bring out the standard best seller that they keep up front and makes their job the easiest. They won't ask you many questions. This goes to microphones, mixers, amps, etc. I just went through it with powered mixers and cabinets. Didn't hear a word I said. So having these online reviews and instructions is pretty much essential in my view.
I always thought a harmonica was just a harmonica. Boy the more I know the more I realize everything is complex
Same
You are evolving in the dunning Krueger effect! Continue, you will be a professional soon!
It's still a harmonica. However, what you can do with it and how you can express yourself with it is more than you initially thought.
Its a standard harmonica but once you apply these lessons it ads level two to your game. And the chicks ask who's this bad boy 😂
My grandfather used to play the harmonica and the accordeon. When he died, my family members and me had to clear out the apartement and just kinda split the things we wanted to keep amongst ourselves. My cousin took the accordeon which made sense to everyone bc. he is incredibly talented with music. I took the harmonica. A Hohners Big River Harp in C. I just had such fond memories of my grandpa letting me play it as a kid and then play it himself.
It's been lying around the past 3 years since his death and while I've played a tune or two on it occasionally. I wanna try and learn it forreal this time.
So thank you for putting these videos out there! I hope I can find joy in playing and connecting to that small part of my family.
How did I get here its 4am I have school tomorrow well today really I don't even own a harmonica
I want one right now...
Burton Sargent same
Did you ever get one?
Yeah did you ever get one?
STOP.
$40 today for a Marine Band...Wow. I worked in a music store from '67-70. They sold for $2.50. Wow.
Yes. I agree. I bought my first for $2.95 or $5.95 in 1975. (I can't remember which.)
inflation calculator $2.50 1967 would be about 20 bucks today what a ripoff
jsamc don't forget lots of other factors such as taxes benefits skill of the workers and also popularity
My first was a Hohner Marine Band in C. Cost me $1.50 in 1956.
yea i had the 100th aniversary special edition (lost it somewhere) i only paid 25 bucks for that thing back in the mid 90s.
I started with a Hohner Blues Harp key of C and it's pretty much all I use . I will never fill a music hall but playing along with tunes I like is entertainment enough for me !
Just picked up a Hohner Big river harp in C, great to hear that it’s a good harp to start off with. Was thinking I made a bad choice. Thank you!
I’m so glad you mentioned the big river harp (hohner) I’ve bought it as a beginner. I think it’s pretty neat.
Got some nice small little melody’s/licks and rhythms going! It took a few days to learn to blow/draw single notes. But once you get that! It gets really fun to learn simple tricks!
I love the Big River. I like plastic combs
I just watched your other video for beginners and asked which harp to buy to get started. This video answered that. Thanks. I'll be watching more once I get one.
Love being a beginner learning from you, Shellist, Ricci and the french team. Thank you!
I just got a wooden one its way more easy to play than the plastic one, awesome videos every time i see them it helps me alot to focus on the kind of sound im trying to achieve, Hi from Mexico city Keep rocking!!!
Beware the wood combs when starting out, the wet dry cycle can fatigue the partitions and they become brittle. If one partition snaps, you lose the use of 4 notes.
The plastic comb makes it a little brighter sounding, but I never had to worry too much about it malfunctioning during a gig.
I started with the Marine Band too. Great video. I play the blues harp and big river alot too.
After playing lee oscars for a long time because they seemed more comfortable for a couple reasons went out a bought my first Marine band key of C. And diving into your beginner lessons I realized there's so much I never learned and I never took lessons. Love my first Marine band along with your beginning lesson I purchased from your website on holding the harp, basic scale and using each hole. Wow! What a difference. Enjoying Re-Learning Thanks!
Are you for real? You are Adam. You had the best life. Your time with Stirling is priceless.
I found my old harmonica that my parents bought me when I was little from a supermarket, 5 dollars at max. Bored in quarantine, came across this amazing channel and started learning harmonica. I actually got quite a liking of it, I've been practicing daily for the past week. Holes 1 to 5 are great they all work good and I can get single notes out of them, but holes 6 to 10 are very hard to play. I don't know if I am doing something wrong or is it because of my harmonica. The sounds I'm producing are almost ultrasounds it is ridiculous, and there is almost no difference between them. What do you think?
I think I will start saving up some money and buy the real deal in the future, but until then I'll have to somehow make progress using my current harmonica. Thank you for your videos though, they are really great and helpful ❤️
My first harmonica was also like $5, I played it for a while and then I got tremolo harmonica for christmas and I was shocked how easy it was to play, compared to the $5 diatonic harmonica. Now I have chromatic and it is good, but now I'm looking for a new blues diatonic harmonica, because that sounds so good so I'm kinda in same boat as you. But I know that cheaper ones are much worse quality so it is much harder to play and you need to blow it with alot of force. I recommend you to get harmonica that costs at least $30 or sum. Just like that guy says in his video. The more expencive you buy the better quality it will be:)
My first is a cheap one like 3 dollars online when it arrive I can play country roads but its very hard since
The harp itself is not in tune from 5-10 and when I used it in the second day the 6th hole was not working anymore so I kinda got a bit sad since I waited a week and it just broke right there so I asked my mom to buy me a easttop since I heard they were a pretty good for the price especially for beginners (cost like 10-12 dollars in my country) well waiting for it now so I can really start my harmonica journey :3
I have a band jam deluxe ja-ru.. but I'm pretty sure it was $8... Losing its silver coating too💀agh but sameee,, quarentining has had me try out this instrument too.!
+,,this is gunna sound naive but, does anyone know if it's for sure normal to have to blow/breath-in alot for any sound to come out for the higher notes.?
In case you’re still struggling with that harp, it sounds like the higher reeds are stuck. Look for a video on servicing and cleaning. Good luck
My first harp purchase was a Hohner Big River, Key of C. I wasn't good enough, yet, to defend any significant expense, but $15 (at the time) still bought me a solid starter instrument. These days, I'm a big fan of the Hohner MS series. Modular System (MS) allows for interchangeability of parts, so if a more expensive Blues Harp needs repair, I can cannibalize parts from a less expensive Blue Midnight, and still sound great. In fact, if I have one harp (any MS model) with a dead blow reed and another harp (again any MS model) of the same key with a dead draw reed, I can "Frankenstein" the two good, remaining reed plates into one perfectly good harp, thus maximizing the longevity of every working part. For lighter repair work, they're also pretty easy to work on at home, whether switching out reed plates or simply filing flat reeds back up to pitch.
THANK YOU! You helped me identify my harmonica, there at 1:45. It's a 12 hole Marine Band 364/24 in Low C that I've owned for 35 years, I think. Pearwood body, one screw at each end with nailed reed plates. Lots of deep end from its C3 chords that you can really choke and bend due to an absence of side vents. I also own a HOHNER Professional CBH 2016 Chromatic Harmonica that is VERY clean. I paid $75 for it in 1979.
I just bought a harmonica in d yesterday and am having fun with it. Thanks for the tips!
First one I ever bought, and still have, is a Marine Band, because ‘Bob’ played it. They are great. Bought many more Hohners over the years to fill out the key ranges.
Best type I’ve ever bought though, for tone, bend and overall mellow but rangy beauty is the Suzuki Olive. If you haven’t tried it, seek it out. It uses a wood-pulp based polymer as the comb, and gets the woody sound without all the moisture issues. A nice bit of lateral thinking, and a gorgeous warm, big, curvy sound!
Oooooooooooooohhhhh, LOL Will check that! In a swampy locale!
OMG. Shameless plugging of the Hohner Marine Band. I love it!
My husband just bought one of these Marine Band harmonicas. I had been messing around with a plastic set in different keys but this one is a game changer!
I'm so happy playing my first harp, a Fender Blues Deluxe in C, which is very good in my humble opinion.
I've always enjoyed and learned from your videos. This one was informative and funny. Funny in that you were trying to show us how bad cheap and novelty harps are and ended up making them sound good.
I started out playing Marine Bands because that's what I was given. My experience with them was bad. They fell apart on me, I couldn't put them back together because of the nails. The instructions said keep it in the box, however the cardboard box fell apart before the harp did. When I played it fast or a lot it would rub my lips raw.
I've had a few Big Rivers and Huangs and didn't like them, but the worst harmonicas are the Johnsons.
Since then I've gone to the Crossovers, Marine Band Deluxes, and Special Twenties.
These are all good, nonetheless my favorites are the Suzuki Bluesmasters, the Promaster Valves, and the Manjis.
I'm starting with a Special 20 in C.
I got one for Christmas. Love it so far
@@seandevine5836 I just got mine. Where did you go to learn?
@Aqxea I’m still learning myself, but you can watch this channel for some really good tips, another good channel to learn off of is Tomlin Leckie. I suggest you learn how to play single notes and note bending before you actually learn songs, just a suggestion though, hope you enjoy your harmonica.
i bought Special 20 in A for beginning. Would that be a problem? I'm little bit sad now cuz there's almost nothing for A. Have any tips?
Altay Başar Dave Barrett’s bluesharmonica.com online school uses an A harmonica for their beginner lessons.
Thanks! Great to hear the different sounds. I'm getting what you recommended. Easy pocket instrument when you have time waiting in lines or such.
Good information and pleasant presentation. Thank you. Greetings and Merry Christmas from Greece🇬🇷
Bought my hohner marine band deluxe just over 2 weeks ago wow what a sound, when this guy says always buy a half decent harmonica if you want to seriously hear notes clearer and learn better is spot on.. cant believe how many tunes i am learning , first few days concentrate on holding harp properly mouth positioning finding the scales single note control slowly wins the race! last couple days learned Low Rider something which i thought impossible before , jamming with soundtrack on that Cheech and Chong movie . the wife saying you've played the Harmonica before.. so cool
I agree about the Marine Band harps. The wooden combs are harder play, but it's good to learn on those. If you can learn to hit and bend those single notes cleanly on a Marine Band, then you'll find it even easier to do so on a Lee Oskar or other plastic comb harp. But that Marine Band harp just gives you that Blues sound like no other.
I love how you tease the viewers with your talent and skills. ;). It does make me wanna come back here ..
Got a 60$ suzuki about a year ago for the purposes of learning how to play and I'm finally getting around to doing it.
For someone who wants to start playing harmonica was this extremely helpful. Thank you!
.
It's been a year since you posted this.
Which one did you buy? Also, how much proficient have you become since then?
I am almost thirty and I have done almost only guitarr, but I have always wanted to learn Harmonica and this video helped alot.
Nice 👍 I bought a harmonica today , I’ve played guitar my whole life . Let’s see how this goes .
Bro, you have the sauce, this is the first instrument I've played in my life, and you have the best informative videos and had helped me start into this beautiful club.
I just started playing harmonica on my own yesterday and it makes fun :) Greetings from Germany!
I was just gifted The Echo Harp by M. Hohner, Bell Metal Reeds, purchased I think in 1980's, 54/61, key of C and G. I am over the moon! I just found your channel and hope to learn to play this harmonica over the coming months. Thank you for this channel and for all the great information you are sharing!
When I started on marine band I trained along to Nightmares: and other tales from the vinyl jungle in the ninth grade I owned a double reed and one earlier made of wax
I bought my first harp late last year, a Honer blues harp ms in C, im hooked. Will be watching all of your vids. Thanks :)
You are terrific. Crossroads is stellar. What talent! Thank you very much.
I unboxed my first harmonica today, a Special 20 in C. I'm glad I started off on the right foot! I also love the way it looks
When your woman says play in the garage you won't get disturbed but once you can play wants to show you like a trophy to her friends and family.😂
Just bought a Hohner Marine Band on your recommendation in Cambridge, England. Now listening to Love Me Do and looking forward to learning this beautiful instrument!
I started with a Hering Vintage in C. I notice better outcomes when I purchase a seydel harp. This really help. Today I prefeer Hohner with wood combs. But I still keep my first one.
You're the MAN Adam...!!! One of my fav modern harp players is Kim Wilson and I was once privileged to have met him ..my Son's band Virgil And The Accelerators played support for The Fabulous Thunderbirds right here in Birmingham England.
I love all of the greats ...Lil' Walter/Sonnyboy/Howlin' Wolf ad Infinitum..
Just bought my first harmonica...a Hohner marine band in key C as per your recommendation. I’m a total beginner but looking forward to learning and watching your videos! Thank you for such brilliant content btw 🙂😎
2 years later.. how's your harmonica playings?
I'm curious to. Just started this week myself.
@@bretfairchild456 All right, 8 months later. How's your thing going?
@@mohitpandey6112 I wish I could say I'm the greatest man ever to play one...... but I'm still the guy trying to learn
C is a good blues or country tuning.
Mine is a cheap no name 5.99 harp, but it sounds great, and all notes are good against a tuner. Learn to play, not to pay.
You were lucky. My first harmonica was a Hohner, but not from Germany, it was from China. I paid around $10 for it and it was a piece of shit. On the other hand, I bought an Easttop (also from China) for $9.95 (on eBay) plus postage (I think it was around $16 total) and it was a very good, in-tune, air-tight instrument. You can even get them with Paddy-Richter tuning at the same price. So yes there are some harps out there for less, but you gotta be careful. Actually, you've always gotta be careful, cause there are some $40 harps that are also crap. The one I finally settled on, and the one I play almost exclusively now, is a Seydel Session Steel in the key of Paddy Bb.
which diatonic harmonica and scale you have???
@@suzzanahwinters5052 I have no idea. It says House of Marbles on it. Cost me £5. I recently got a Hohner, also in C, secondhand so I cleaned it first. It sounds the same as the cheapy
I got mine at a gas station..is that good it cost the same
@@JupiterLance this was 2 years ago. I've since realised its better to pay a little more. Harps aren't expensive compared to other instruments. Get a Hohner Special 20 or Lee Oskar major diatonic
I started out with three different models. Ended up taking to Hohner's Blues Harp the most, so gave the others away. Now they sell replacement reeds, much cheaper than having to replace the whole harmonica, so that's a bonus.
Loving your channel thanks
I started with a Golden Melody in C. A few weeks later a bought a Marine Band in C and I've been loving it.
I started with a BluesBand in the key of C, I’m still stuck with it, it sounds so bad!
@@groudon6423 I've had mine for a year and a half, never had anything else but I have no complaints, for 10 bucks it's what I expect, I just needed one to start learning until I could get better money. I'm going to grab a special 20 in A, C, G soon and try those
@@Huelogy nice. I guess it is pretty good for its price, but in my opinion the Fender Blues Deluxe is leagues better than the Bluesband, even though it’s the same price. (I got one around a week ago)
“There are only two kinds of harmonica’s Marine Band and Toys”. Sunny Terry. Yes but things have changed since he said it.
Sonny Terry !
@@RagtimeAnnie & Brownie McGee!
You sound like such a good teacher. A gentleman.
I have a Hohner MS Blues and I'm extremely happy with it!
I was given a key of G special 20, that's the one I'm trying to learn on
Thanks for sharing this! Buying harps is fun, but can be distracting.
The second harp I bought was because I thought the draw 2 was broke on my first. It was just my embouchure. I bought a couple low tuned harps on a bargain, but the low reeds rattled, so I set them down. Then I bought 2 minor tuned harps because I was afraid to learn 3rd position. Eventually, I had to go back to my first harp and focus. In hindsight, I pretty much spent several hundred dollars to slow down my progress as a player. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought my harps months apart in the order of C, D, Bb, A, F, G. I would have played scales in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position on each harp until mastered before buying another. Each key harp has it's own subtleties as does each brand/style harp. Limiting the variables is the only way to get traction. To this day, I carry one harp in my pocket and it's always the harp that I'm trying to get better at. One harp at a time.
I really love the tone of the Marine Band standard and have a few, but the Special 20 is more friendly to my beard. Not as woody acoustically, but still plays/sounds great, very comfy. I've found that opening up the cover plates, cleaning/gapping them, etc. does the same thing for me that buying new ones used to do. We harpists get bored and fidgety, but buying random harps isn't really helpful to the cause.
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom. It was your vids that hooked me and helped me to that next level.
Arrick Garringer i feel you.
You, sir, are a player. Your journey resonates with me--and, I suspect, with many others who have been gripped by the harmonica madness.
Rock Solid Words! Except in my case, I started to experiment with custom tunings on every extra key harp, and the harp in my pocket is paddy tuned Bb folkmaster suzuki which I love its tone the most, cost less than 10$ in china and is not so easy to handle as more expensive + responsive Hohner and Suzuki harps. Special 20 is my favourite all around C harp to the 2nd and 3rd positions, and I'm getting the PowerBender next. Melody Maker tuning on Golden Melody is my other favourite, the possibilities for major and minor are soooo wonderful on this special boat shaped responsive harp. IMHO (last one, promise) - a pack with different harp for different keys is better than a pack with same-type harp for all keys - different keys behave differently and some harps play lows better, while others play high better, and others are so fine with the mid-range keys. I still love to add other brands besides Hohner and Suzuki (and Easttop, and Fender, if to call it a major brand, and not considering Swan although the chromatic is easy to handle cheap) - and find the best harp for every key (and custom tuning).
Marine band is wonderful, especially the MS series I have from the 80s which I can mix and match to my liking.
You are so right about buying more harps - if not for a purpose, don't. learn new tricks on your favourite harps, and maintenance takes time and energy and grows with the number of instruments you have.
I bought a $2 piece of crap from Wal Mart. I was pretty sure the 2 draw was broken too... Turns out I've just got big powerful man lungs. I need to breathe through the nose a little while drawing, lighten the pressure.
Most cheap harps take a lot more lung power than midgrade, that is why people give up.
This is such a brilliant video!
New to the channel...new subscriber. Thanks for the sound advice! Ive always wanted to learn how to play the harmonica and i think now is as good a time as any!!
I switched to Seydel 1847's, but I recommend to beginners the Marine Band or the Big River from Hohner. Paul deLay was a Big River player. I think the Big River is the best bang for Harp buck out there. And. I agree that the cheapies (even the Hohner ones) will only frustrate you.
I have a Hohner Crossover in D. It is a nice harp. I like to pull it out when I am stuck in traffic driving around Seattle.
One or two hands? ;-)
The title is: which Harmonica a beginner should use but he started off talking half an hour about the ones a beginner shouldn’t use, what a great lesson.
great advice thanks for the video keeping it real
The good brands, as I understand it-
Hohner, Lee Oskar (Tombo outside the U.S., and they have more models available outside the U.S.), Suzuki, Seydel, Hering (if you can get them, they seem to be having some distribution issues), Bushman (also have distribution problems- get them from someplace like Rockin Rons), and I'm hearing good things about Easttop (Brendan Powers has a relationship with them).
(Bends were supposedly good, but they went under, and of course Harrison, but they went under).
I think Danneker is more in the customizer category.
Fender is releasing some harps, but they are just rebadged versions of other brands. They've got a Seydel and a Lee Oskar and a couple others. I forget which are which.
Personally, I like the plastic combs, particularly if you are starting out. They are easier on your lips. I actually started out on a Blessing Tremolo and then a Hohner Blues Harp, and didn't get far with either because they tore up my lips. As my embouchure improved plastic became less important, but I'd be a few years farther along if my first attempt had stuck.
Yes. That's a good list for any beginner to choose from. Hohner, Lee Oskar (Tombo), Suzuki, Seydel, Hering, Bushman. I'm not familiar with Easttop, but if Brendan is involved, I'm sure they're excellent.
A hering harp it's a bad start for a begginer. Hering harps are bad out of the box. Most of them needs a little work on to reach the others brands.
Jey C Which models? I haven't played one myself, but I always heard good things about them, particularly the 1923, although I haven't heard as much about them lately. (Musician's Friend does seem to have them edit- oops, no, old link). I had a friend who got one locally. He'd only been playing a couple weeks. One reed was misaligned, but I talked him through fixing that over the phone in about 5 minutes. :)
Huang was also once considered a pretty decent brand, but apparently their quality has slipped. I've only played one of them myself, but it was a used one I tried fixing up off of eBay. The cover was amazingly comfortable, but the reeds were a mess. (But again, it was second hand.)
I mostly play Lee Oskars and Special 20s. I like pre-MS Blues Harps, although I don't get around to actually getting the ones I've gotten off of eBay that much. Nice sound (I think basically it was an unvented MB) and you can round the corners down with sanding without having to mess much with the covers, which don't reach all the way to the edge on the ends.
Seydel's are great, but expensive. The only Suzuki I've played is great, but I bought it from Brandon Bailey, who had set up the reeds for overblows for me.
The only knock I've ever heard on Bushman was that they went through a stretch with some supply problems where they took orders and then took forever to deliver. (There were a lot of complaints on MBH. I think the only brand that took more heat was Harrison.) They seem to have that sorted out now, but I still recommend going through a middleman who has them in stock. (But I could just be gunshy after having to calm some really ugly threads on the forum!)
My experience is, generally speaking, as long as you are talking about ten hole diatonics, the different brands are pretty comparable at the same price point, and the 'minimum' price point, at the moment, seems to be the harps in the $30-$40 range. But I'm not a great over blower, so I know some players need more careful setup. Easttop and Bushman both seem to undercut that a little bit compared to the other companies.
Maybe this Christmas I'll ask for a couple harps from the last couple brands I haven't tried so I can make honest comparisons myself. That would mean a Bushman and a Hering and maybe a Easttop. I really like the full length covers. I wish Lee Oskar would distribute some of Tombo's other models in the U.S. The Ultimo looks fun. :)
nacoran A
I hope you get this message. I am just starting out and bought a Hohner Blues Band Harmonica tuned to the key of C. I have barley any Musical knowledge and this was $8-9 so do you think that this is a good Harmonica to start off with?
I got a hohner bluesband harmonica my dad gave it to me and it’s pretty good I’ve had it for probably 12 years maybe more
Same here, but my dad actually plays in a Blues band. Cool thing is, is that the lead guitarist was a childhood friend of Stevie Ray Vaughan (He also made his famous guitar strap). But I've known that guy since I was a baby. Cool to be a a part of history like that. (Yeah I know it's blues rock, but the culture is still the same)
Was looking just for this video. Thank you, im ordering my first harmonica now. :D
Am watching from Zambia, great channel.
Happy to hear D is fine for a beginner, I bought a Special 20 in C and the store accidentally sent me one in D so I'll just roll with it. Great videos too by the way, I've learned a lot!
I got a Hohner old standby $15 lol! key of A. but it does me fine lol! I'll be sure to get a marine band C when I can afford it
I got a HOHNER Special 20 10 hole key of C. Love it. Learning how to play it
i started with a bluesmaster suzuki and then got a east top 008, By these 2 purchases I learned enough of what i do and dont like. My next harmonica (hopefully my holy grail) will be a hohner rocket, all the big brands are good in their own right but its down to the owners preferences. the hohner rocket seems to be the perfect blend of smooth, responsive and it has slightly bigger holes which i think is going to help me alot.
My first harp was $10 and made me give up when I couldn't get it to bend. Years later I bought a Special 20 in C and found it WAY more responsive. I've tried a Marine Band; the tone was wonderfully woody and authentic compared to the Special 20, and it was so easy to bend. HOWEVER, I couldn't get used to the dry feeling of the wooden comb against my tongue, nor the sharp edges of the reed plates which protruded quite significantly from the mouthpiece and really sliced up my lips. Also the covers have a really sharp crimp in the rear corners that is uncomfortable on your hands.
I've acquired a couple more Special 20s and a Seydel Blues Session, which is very comfortable but the holes are spaced more widely than on the Special 20, which makes my playing really sloppy.
I'd love a quality harp with a well sealed and sanded wooden comb, unprotruding reed plates and comfortable covers. Any recommendations?
Maybe you could resand it yourself?
@@thomas.thomas The wood swells it expands but I would get some replacement wood that doesn't do that when it's wet.
I wonder if they choose that wood so they get a constant supply of sales?
My grandpa went to Shanghai, China to get me an authentic HERO Harmonica it has been in the family for as long as I have heard tales of it, When my Grandpa passed away and a box showed up at my house with the harmonica and a letter : We love you, we are sorry. but when I play even 1 single dam note I start crying so hard and its like I cant even control it. I don't know why.... i just breakdown.
Eeeeeeeee
May your grandpa rest in piece
Great video and information- I like playing Suzuki myself only since I like the tone of it for the tunes I play- I tell my students however to purchase a Hohner Special 20 in The key of C when they start- To me that is the best harp to learn on and has a great sound for the money you are spending- It is important to ONLY get your first harp in the key of C and the reason for this is most people who teach lessons on RUclips or online use a harmonica in the key of C 👍
I really appreciate the info sir, thank you!
Hello Adam, been following you for a number of years. I am an harmonica player and harp fan too... I never liked Marine Band harmonica for ever. I always thought they had the best sound with Suzuki Manji (wich I play a lot and love the manufacturing quality of this harp), the best reed plates and overall configuration. BUT, for me they are behind the crowd in terms of quality built.... except for inconditional fans of the Marine Band. Nails? Swelling wood? Rough edges of the comb? Who would do that today? I still think that now, even if my best sounding G harp is... a Marine Band. Well, it has been customised... nothing better than that now BUT, you have to pay a premium to have a quality harmonica from a "classic" one. Screw and bolts are far more easier to unmount the cover and reed plates, a new Zajac comb (can also be a standard comb modified) changed the feeling. Out of the box, Manji's, Special 20 (I love Hohner too...), even a Big River or my favorite quality-price harp, a Suzuki Bluesmaster (a real steel at $32 CND) are my choice for a beginner. These are the harps, I recommend to my students with a preference for the cost effective Bluemaster first and SP 20 next. The MB Classic air leaks from eveywhere out of the box, I think everybody know it. Adam, you might be a fan of those leaky Harley Davidson... They are some great classics too!!! I love em too. Hahahahahaha!!! Have a good day!!!
I've been playing a couple years longer than this guy. I started with Marine Band too, but quickly changed as the wood can swell up and cut your lips to shreds (probably due to playing in damp/humid environments?) Get one with a plastic centre. Hohner do a couple, but I would recommend Lee Oskar harmonicas (and unlike him, I am not endorsed by anyone!) I feel the reeds are more responsive, and they have greater longevity if you are gigging a lot. I agree though, that the Key of C or D are the easiest to get results, and, songs (in the Keys of G and A respectively) a more common to play along with .
So helpful! I'm just a beginner and fortunately I've bought a chromatic harmonica.
Thank you! Great channel
Thank you for the tips they all work
My step dad was given a marine band key of C from Brian Adam’s after one of his shows and gave it to me when I was young.
Kept it my entire life and miss placed it a couple years ago. It’s buggin the hell out of me
Think about the last time you played it. And where you would put it away after playing.
I hate when that happens
I used to play Hohner Marine Band harmonicas when I was teenager in the early seventies. Back then you could get one for a dollar or two. The wood comb would swell and very soon you’d have to get another. It’s shocking to me that nowadays Marine Bands are considered top-of-the-line quality harmonicas. Back then they were decidedly mediocre, certainly inferior to the Hohner Bluesband I have now (although my bluesband is probably about fifteen years old; the new ones may have changed). I also bought a chromatic harmonica back in the early seventies that I still have today, and it still plays. It cost ten dollars. The cheapest chromatics I’ve seen lately go for $109 dollars. The price increases in harmonicas have greatly exceeded the rate of inflation, and considering that harmonicas don’t last, I find that very discouraging. The Hohner Special 20 I bought about a month ago has a sweet sounding lower range, but the high range is just as miserable as the Bluesband’s high range.
Hi Adam! I am learning on a Special 20 which seems to work well. I bought a Big River, but the comb edges are really sharp and it leaks air like a sieve. I can play it, but it takes SO much work. I was hoping to get the Special 20 set for Christmas...but didn't. Now I just have to go buy it myself! Have a great new year and I'll see you in my lessons!
I agree with you about getting a good Hohner Harmonic, I grew up with my uncle playing a Hohner, he was not a Blues player, he play the old time French Canadian music being French Canadian. I remember when they cost $3.25 in 1966. I always wanted to play the harmonic when I was a kids, in my 20's I got my self one they had no Key of C or other keys, so I got a Bb and I love. Not long after I got the key C so I can play song with my accordion on the French Canadian Music. Then I went and got Key of G, D, A because some French music sounds better in other keys. Every year we had family reunion and my uncle always would forget his harmonic so I let him use mine. They wore they out, when we play, we play hard and same goes for the blues. My uncle calls the harmonic the Freedom harmonic because you can take it any where you go and have music. I like what you do and learn lot from you. Lot of things you talk about my uncle mention to me when I was very young, he told me what holes to start with hole 4 or 5. He plays the harmonic from the left side of his mouth like a Rhythm and play the melody, I never got that part. He was very interested on Bob Dylan music and the blues. He never got to learn the blues. Many Thanks Gussow.
I started on a Honer Marine Band in the 60's. About $2.50. I play cross harp so key of A is killer for a blues song in E. Now I play strictly Lee Oscar & have one in every key in the known universe. Including all the minors, majors, major & minor 5ths...ect. Think I've got a Lee Oscar in the key of Pi laying around somewhere.
Funny!
A good harmonica for beginners doesn't have to be expensive. However though, it should be EASY to blow and draw, be VERY responsive, and have a NICE tone. Should it be wood or plastic? I have found that when playing a wooden harmonica a lot, the seporaters (spaces between the holes) tend to swell and stick out. This hurts my lips. So I would suggest a plastic harmonica. Believe it or not, the SUZUKI FOLK MASTER, which I payed only $7 for has all the qualities I just mentioned, and it lasted a long time. I sat on it by mistake and it got bent, but it still sounded and played good. You can't learn on a bad harmonica. I bought my girlfriend a Hohner plastic see through harmonica so she could see how you can blow and draw in the same hole, and only one of the two reeds will vibrate. I was teaching her the very basics, and she got "Twinkle little star" Not bad. But this harmonica is very hard to blow and draw.
I have my special method of how to play just one note. It's called listen and adjust. If you are playing too many notes, then make your mouth smaller and move the harmonica out. But if you're blowing too much air, then make your mouth wider and move the harmonica in. The adjustments are very suttle. But before a beginner learns to do that, they should take the harmonica for a week or two and try to play songs themselves. They're getting the feel of the harmonica. Listen to a song you like and try to play it. Then when it's time to learn, the beginner will have a better feel. They'll know where the high and low notes are. Then I explain the technical aspects.
I am by no means an expert, but self tought. I play all types of songs: blues, folk, even classical. I can also play the harmonica together with the guitar at the same time. The harmonica plays the tune, while the guitar plays the melody and rhythe. I'm an awful guitar player and know only a few chords. But when I get the song going, people think I'm a expert. Not really, not really.
Have u noticed learning harmonica has help your guitar Playing at all. The only reason I got a harmonica is I love that bluesy sound and can't seem to get it right with the guitar. But once I got the hang of the harmonica I have not been able to put it down and haven't spent any time playing guitar since.... I'm wondering if my blues playing will sound better on guitar now that I have a better foundation of that style of music
I just started about a week ago with a vintage echo honer it is so much fun
Thanks. Very helpful!
Something else I've observed as a beginner is that most (beginner accessible) tabs and sheet music are in C. So yeah, definitely start with a diatonic in C, Then branch out into D or whatever. You need to learn music theory simultaneously with your actual playing.
For blues, or for Oh, Susanna? For blues, I would buy an F and play cross harp in C.
just remember if you wanna play blues with that harp itll be in G
I am curious as to what you played when marine bands quality went down the tubes in early 80's. I also started off on marine bands in 1971 when they were quality and the go to harps of that era, yet I remember quite well when OOTB They were ill manufactured . 1986 is when I got turned onto lee oskars and played them exclusively for decades as They worked, sounded great and lasted for many many years. I will add that a couple of years ago, I got a 9 set of marine bands as I was told quality went back up and will say, they are pretty good again. Thanks for responding Adam
Same for me, I got Marine Band in 79, got anothet key years later and was diappointed and thought it was me, played Special 20s then Lee Oscar and stayed with for years. I like how cases interlock. I recently started playing Suzuki and like Bluesmaster.. i will have to get a Marine Band now.
I got a 9 set of marine bands a couple of years ago as I heard quality was back up and found they were just so so. I keep em in my car for playing while I drive. My main set now are Seydel 1847 Classics and they are awesome, Charlie Musselwhite is the one that turned me onto them
thewiz8895422 i
I continued to play Marine Bands straight through the 80s, 90s; I'm still playing them today. I learned how to get useable sounds on harps that sometimes were tough to play. I just loved the sound, even if I occasionally had to give up in frustration on a particular harp. But that was then. Today quality control is just fine. I rarely get a "trouble" harp.
Agree. I got a Marine Band (like we do) to start on and couldn't get some notes at all and learnt I would have to take it apart to gap and found pins not screws which I could not get back securely. What a dreadful starter experience. Changed to Suzuki Bluesmaster to learn on - what a dream, and now favor Lee Oskar.
Lovely and useful! Thanks.
I started on a hohner blues harp in C. Eventually got engaged enough to ask for a marine band deluxe in G for Christmas a few years back. Blues has been alive in my house eber since.
I think a Low Tuned Harmonica might be easier on the beginners ears. The Chromatic Harmonica allows you to play in 2 Keys.
Every time I hear a harmonica, I think of the intro to Roseanne
Bought a Suzuki easy rider in the key of G last summer, had a lot of fun with it so far.
thanks for the info wish u the best ♥
I just bought a $10 harmonica last Sunday hoping BlackGold brand is good enough to learn on
z3Carlos defiantly should be. Most harmonicas (even toys) are good for learning. The sound might not be great but you at least have the opportunity to learn things like isolating the holes played and just basic teqnicks
Thanks for the video! I actually got a Fender Blues Deluxe "A" Key Harp. I´m literally starting off and this is the first harmonica I´m learning to play on. Any "don´t"s I should be on the lookout for?
Don't play blues in A!
@@LeeGeeWhat's the best?
@@LeeGee why?
My uncle got me a Hohner Marine Band in the key of C just a couple days ago.
Good to hear that it's a good starter harp as I'm thinking about starting to take up blowin' the harp.
I knew I recognized you. I seen the great documentary on Adam and mr. Satan. It's a pleasure to watch your videos and learn from you. Wow this is so great. Thank you so much sir!
Before I post this, I believe the following is just an old "____" preaching to the choir (62 now). Best to stop now, or not, and read on:
The best way to discourage someone from playing an instrument is to have them try to learn on one not right for them. This includes crap cheapo ones, or good ones that just for some reason isn't right for them, but may be perfect for someone else (in my case, a Les Paul is a great guitar, but my fingers and hands were more comfortable on a narrower neck when I started out playing the guitar (like a strat, I love my strat). Later down the road, they will have the skills and judgement to go back to something that wasn't right to start on. I believe I have heard that theme throughout your video
Just a thought, start a kid on an electric guitar instead of an acoustic (what many are forced to play) so that they will practice with headphones and sis won't be yelling at mom to turn you down. To bad Harmonicas don't have earphone jacks (at least not that I know of), wouldn't it be great.
Our faces, lips, teeth, tongues, aren't the same. Just like our fingerprints, they are similar, but for one person a type of harmonica, may be good, for another, it may be just not quite comfortable. So they blame themselves and drop it. As long as we encourage those who come after to just step up and ask and we will help them get started, the next generation is secure.
I have not trusted wooden combs for funny reasons, plus when starting they weren't comfortable. Maybe I will revisit that also someday.
I was using a C Golden Melody Hohner as a way to stay awake during long drives as a trucker. Then I came off the road for awhile and someone told the Music leader at our church that I played harmonica. No I didn't. But he encouraged me to get some other harmonicas in the keys they played in (mostly flat keys since the leader was a keyboardist), and to keep at it. Then a professional saxophone player gave me encouragement and what help he could, and I kept at is. Can't say I ever reached Pro status, but I enjoyed it and others enjoyed my playing (now I wish I had passed the hat).
Anyway, I enjoy those who post "encouraging" videos that don't condemn because you don't do it "their" way, but rather, "Great, but have you thought about this".
Deep pocket books are usually not the realm of us mortals who don't make a living at this. We also can't afford to buy everything that comes along that a "PRO" says will make us great (and they won't give us endorsement instruments). But, when they say things that will actually help us get started (cheap crap is cheap crap) and progress, the fruit on the tree of responses here and other places will help us non clairvoyants know when to listen.
Finally, I totally agree, get the best you can afford. In this case, at $40 you can buy 20 harps for what a new guitar player should pay for his first guitar. Most guitars under $500 will need another $200 to $300 at a luthiers to get them decently playable (I may be way off, but under $200 guitars are usually crap and if repairable, will be over $100 to make them usable).
I do so remember and chuckle at the movie Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure. They had just made a bunch of noise in their garage and stopped and looked at each other. Now we got a great band name, do you think we should learn to play these instruments (or something like that). That was so true when I first picked up an electric guitar, and then later a harmonica.
Some one here said to start with 2 to 3 harps and get good with them. At amateur band levels, most of the time if you have one singer, you are usually playing only in a few keys. As you get better with the ones you got, add other keys as you go. By the time you are a pro (or even an active amateur), you will need a full set, plus. Then, when you are committed, learn how to adjust, tune, repair and maintain your instruments (including your body parts involved).
Wow, yes mommy, I will get off my soap box now. Thanks for listening to my late night musings.
Wtf
. I just need to know how many holes i should start? Some i saw normal 10 holes, while mine i got so many small holes i think like small 48 squares.. Im like confused??
Well now that was a fine reminiscence, and felt like a good old stroll down memory lane. Good tools make good moments and sometimes better habits? And I do agree - we're all as different as our fingerprints. It only took me about 35 years to find my perfect guitar (but I can't tell her that - she puts on airs.)
But the sound of a good blues harp played well is something I've loved my whole life - so its time is past due!
@@NFS-shade urs is a 24 hole tremolo where this channel is about the 10 hole blues. The 24 hole is more popular in Asia whereas in NA its the blues
Lancer Shade 48 squares is actually a standard 24-hole tremolo. Each top and bottom square is tuned to the same note, one a tiny bit sharp and one a tiny bit flat, to create a natural vibrato effect, or tremolo. 〰️
What do you mean i cant start on Tremolo Harmonica with 24 Holes?
Yeah, 100% just realized that's exactly what I had on hand.
I’m starting with a Hohner Marine band in the key of C. It’s a joy to play.