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Bb harp
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dan.rfd
4 posts
Nov 20, 2013
3:34 AM
I have been learning harmonica for a year or so now on an A and a C harp and starting to look at getting one or two more.

I noticed from many youtube videos and also a Little Walter riff book I have that Bb is a popular key and was wondering why this is? I prefer the tone of my A harp but like the playing agility of the C - perhaps the Bb a sweet spot between the two?

Cheers!
Dan
SuperBee
1540 posts
Nov 20, 2013
4:24 AM
Bb is a very nice harp to play I think. A bit faster than an A harp, easier to control than a C. Nice pitch.
If you just want a harp to play solo, it's a great choice for playability. Of course if you want to play with others you just have to have the right harp for the song. There are plenty of songs where Bb is the best choice.
Lots of Adam's YouTube lessons use a Bb. Iirc, that was not by design in the first instance. It just happened to be the harp at hand when he made a video, and then he decided to stay with it as a kind of brand.
Personally, I find the Bb perhaps the nicest pitch of all. But I may be romanticising
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isaacullah
2574 posts
Nov 20, 2013
6:41 AM
I like a Bb harp too. Like SuperBee says, it's a really nice pitch that lays in between the lower "chuggable" pitches, and the higher "soloing" pitches. I've definitely found it to be a great pitch for solo harp playing in any style. I've got Bb harps in a variety of tunings for this very reason.

BTW, B is also a pretty good pitch for this, but it's noticeably "tighter" to play than Bb. Some A tunings can also be great to play, but when you get below A, it starts to get more loose. Higher harps are great for doing solos while playing in a band because they cut through, and lower harps are great for chugging because the "roll" well. IMO, Bb is the "sweet spot" that has enough edge to be heard well, but so much punch that it sounds shrill on its own, and rolls well enough to chug on without sounding too muddy while soloing. It's a really great pitch.
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chromaticblues
1519 posts
Nov 20, 2013
6:46 AM
Yes Bb and a D and that should be plenty for awhile.
Greg Heumann
2469 posts
Nov 20, 2013
8:55 AM
Unless you're only playing unaccompanied (in which case I DO love a Bb harp,) you don't choose a harp key because its nice to play. You choose it to fit with the key of the song the band leader is calling. I use my Bb harp to play with tunes in F (2nd position) and C (3rd position). But after an A and C harp, your next most popular harp will be your D harp because guitar players love to play in A. Then come G, Eb, Bb and F.

It is important to be able to play ANY key harp well.

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Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Nov 20, 2013 8:55 AM
sonny3
89 posts
Nov 20, 2013
9:03 AM
Love a good Bb! You don't need, too many high harps if you just play solo. Sonny Terry played mostly Bb and A harps.
groyster1
2469 posts
Nov 20, 2013
9:05 AM
Bb is my favorite harp....only trouble is guitar players don't like playing in F...some might play in Cminor which gives opportunity to play Bb in 3rd position
timeistight
1422 posts
Nov 20, 2013
10:03 AM
Bb is a really nice key and you should definitely get one eventually. However, because it's range sits between the two harps you already have, I don't think it's your first choice to add to a practice set.

I'd get G and F harps next. That would let you practice on harps across the standard range of Marine Bands.

Of course if you're playing with other people, I agree with Greg: get the harps you need to play in their preferred keys.
MP
3001 posts
Nov 20, 2013
1:25 PM
-----I often use my Bb to play in the key of C.

once you get the hang of it it is really cool. Check out Gary Primich version of Real Gone Lover.

I do some LW tunes in F so of course you need a Bb.

i'm still fond of F harps even though some people find them a bit shrill. Great for Charlie McCoy and SBWII stuff.-----



i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.

Last Edited by MP on Nov 20, 2013 1:25 PM
1847
1316 posts
Nov 20, 2013
1:32 PM
another Bb fan here

my babe i know she loves me
dont do nothin but push and shove me my babe


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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"

Last Edited by 1847 on Nov 20, 2013 1:32 PM
1847
1317 posts
Nov 20, 2013
1:38 PM

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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
1847
1318 posts
Nov 20, 2013
1:50 PM

got to love the straight harp here
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
1847
1319 posts
Nov 20, 2013
2:01 PM


you can jam all day with a Bb harp to youtube
never even have to leave the house
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
1847
1320 posts
Nov 20, 2013
2:03 PM

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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
STME58
592 posts
Nov 20, 2013
2:17 PM
I find myself reaching for my Bb when playing unaccompanied. I thought it was just a good harp or perhaps because I a am a trombone player and am used to the key. From the comments here is sounds like there is something about the key itself that makes a Bb enjoyable to play. The Bb seems to be the highest harp that it is easy for me to blow bend.
jackleg
13 posts
Nov 20, 2013
2:44 PM
the greatest harp recorded is played with a Bb harp... 'help me'.. sonny boy williamson.
1847
1321 posts
Nov 20, 2013
7:44 PM


can you tell how much i like a Bb
check out the big walter he slips in there
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
jbone
1416 posts
Nov 21, 2013
3:58 AM
I have use of a Bb so I keep one. We do a few songs in C and the Bb is really effective in 3rd position.

I only lack a few harps in my kit and it's because I've never liked the way they sound or found a need for them. One is a B, another is an E, and the last is F#.
I do like a low tuned F and a low D as well. They definitely give a fresh option on certain songs.
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1847
1323 posts
Nov 21, 2013
4:08 PM
does anyone find these post useful?
i know it can at times be difficult to
figure out what harp to use.
so this should make it easier, just grab a Bb
and play along, also great songs to listen to while working. these are songs that helped me learn to play.

i could sit here for hours playing along to just those few tracks. i could post others if anyone is interested? just curious.

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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
BC
6 posts
Nov 21, 2013
4:50 PM
I certainly recognize "My Babe" from Little Walter. It took me a little bit to figure out what key he was playing in when I was first trying to pick it up by ear. The guitar guy I play with and I had some discussion on the key. Then finally found out Little Walter was using the Bb harp. I was like, that's cool. I have a Bb harp. That is one song we both enjoy playing together and get a good groove on it. Next to the A and the C harp, the Bb is a must have. Aside from that G and D are good. Enjoy your Bb.

BC
nacoran
7359 posts
Nov 21, 2013
8:49 PM
Bb is my favorite key. When I'm singing, it's the only key I can choose to sing high or low on on lots of songs, so if I only have one harp in my pocket it gives me some vocal options. Of course, people's vocal ranges aren't the same. It's also a nice compromise as far as high and low harps- like other people said, it plays fairly fast, like a high harp, but it won't sound like a dog whistle either.

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dan.rfd
5 posts
Nov 23, 2013
9:18 AM
Thanks for the answers folks.. going to have to try out a Bb for my next harp!
Mojokane
741 posts
Nov 23, 2013
2:41 PM
It may also have more to do with the ear/brain connection, and how it may resonate with our higher consciousness....etc etc. or simply gives pleasure to a part of the brain/body...
There must be something with that, I guess. It's just too popular of a key to discount this concept.
As most of the above comments seem to credit.
For me, A,G, then Eb..are others I cherish.
I like em all actually. Like Greg says...be proficient in all of em. You never know when the band will throw you a curve. Some do it on purpose to get rid of you...lol!
Although, the Bb is primarily my "carry around", as well.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Frank
3367 posts
Nov 23, 2013
2:53 PM
I used one on Walters tune "backtrack"

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