Havoc
1 post
Nov 08, 2016
1:17 PM
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Hello all,
I'm new to the harmonica as of Jan 2016. I've mostly played C harps, but just blew out a reed on a low d harp. After key of C harp what is the next key I should pick up. Mainly been listening to sonny boy Williamson II this past year, and love his stuff! I'm located in Utah. I'm a carpenter/cabinet maker/framer/anything else that needs doing and fly fishing guide. Musical talents are minimal, but I'm absolutely digging the harp, it's unlikely that my family enjoys it as much as I do, ha! Looking forward to further progress! Also, how many of you use the wheel of fifths/fourths? My music theory is animal and thought it might be a good place to start?
Kind regards,
Targhee Boss
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SuperBee
4257 posts
Nov 08, 2016
1:34 PM
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Hi Havoc.
Normally I'd prioritise an A harp, but maybe you could maybe go a D if you are into SBW2. Bit of a toss up between those 2
Circle of 5ths is very useful knowledge.
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Harp Study
222 posts
Nov 08, 2016
2:23 PM
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Welcome Havoc. I agree with SuperBee in terms of a D and an A harp. Both are very useful in their own way. I am also a very big fan of Adam Gussow's lessons, both the free youtube ones and the paid lessons on this site. They are excellent for getting past the beginner phase (and to continue well past that ). His advanced beginner package was a huge help to me; as was many other of his lessons.
Last Edited by Harp Study on Nov 08, 2016 2:23 PM
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Havoc
2 posts
Nov 08, 2016
7:59 PM
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Thank you superbee and harp study. Looks like I know the next "two" keys I'll be getting! Next question, has any body ever played the Suzuki firebreath or similar models? I've played golden melodies and Seidel blues session.
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Killa_Hertz
1878 posts
Nov 09, 2016
4:26 AM
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Hey Havoc. I concur with what was said above and just want to add ...
If you were unaware, there is a beginner section to the forum that you may also find very helpful.
Imo the suzuki firebreath is a bit much for you at this stage. (no offence) There are many great harps out there, but until you hone your skills even a $1000 harp wont make you sound better. It's mostly about how you play it. ( I Figured this out the hard way.) It takes alot of work, but with the videos suggested above you can get there.
I would suggest a special 20 to be honest. I think its probably one of the best harps out there to start with.
You will hear opinions out the wazoo, but the only real test is to try it yourself. I just didn't want you to be disappointed after spending that kind of cash on the firebreath. I had a similar experiance with a 1847 noble. Great Harp, but you still have to know how to play it .... lol.
Hope that helped.
Good Luck.
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Havoc
3 posts
Nov 09, 2016
7:01 AM
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Thanks Killa Hertz. Funny story about that. When I was just starting and learning to bend, my first harmonica was a golden melody. I had a really rough go at it and nothing was smooth, it always sounded like I was trying to kill a pig. So of course being a absolute rookie I figured I could play/bend better on a different harmonica. After messing around with gapping to no avail, I picked up two new harps and put away the golden melody (which I thought I'd ruined trying to gap it.) After blowing out a reed on one of my two seydels, I pulled out the golden melody again. I'm in love all over again the sound, the feel and I can bend it now! Ha, IT'S WAS NEVER THE HARP! Just like everyone always says. I just was terrible, but mentally it was the harp at that time for me. And honestly those two new harps truly helped my progression, even if it was only mentally. On a side note, I'm a bit of a gear junky so perhaps I'll get a sp20 in one key and a firebreath in another. Thank you for your help. I'll post in the beginners section from here on out.
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hvyj
3160 posts
Nov 09, 2016
8:45 AM
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Like the GM, the Firebreath is Equal Temperament. The Special 20 is compromise temperament. I believe the Firebreath is discontinued in the US market, but you can still find them.
The Special 20 is widely recommended as a good harp for beginers, and it is. But there is absolutely no reason for you not to try a Firebreath which is a superior instrument. The holes on a Suzuki are more closely spaced than on a Hohner or Seydel which may or may not require an adjustment period. But the Firebreath is a really nice high quality instrument. The Seydel models that have steel reeds are superior to the brass reed Seydel models.
All of the harps you mention have unvented covers, so you may want to try a model with vented covers just for variety and to appreciate the difference in timbre. I personally prefer unvented covers but the Hohner Crossover is a very nice harp with vented covers and compromise temperament.
IMHO, there's no reason to avoid higher end harps just because you are a beginner, although there is no reason to consider a custom harp at this stage of your development.
The harps you will eventually need are C, A, D, G, F, Bb, Eb, probably in that order of priority. Have fun!
Last Edited by hvyj on Nov 09, 2016 9:13 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1879 posts
Nov 09, 2016
8:52 AM
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I didn't mean to imply that you HAD to post in the beginner forum. I just wanted to make you aware of it. It's just a good place to talk about certain topics, I enjoy it.
As far as the new models helping you, I dont think that is mental at all. I think playing a harp with different reed material or just a different overall responsiveness and feel ... really teaches you alot. I think it did for me anyways.
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Havoc
4 posts
Nov 09, 2016
11:02 AM
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Thank you hvyj, great counsel. I'm going to get a marine band in the key of A and order some new reed plates in key of D for my blown out seydel sessions. I like your thoughts on trying the non vented, plus the marine band is a major player historically. I think I'll try the firebreath for my next harp down the road, pricetag requires a bit of scrimping in the fun budget. Plus I can get new reed plates and a Marine band for the same price. Killahertz, no worries here, and thank you for your help.
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nacoran
9282 posts
Nov 10, 2016
1:54 PM
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Welcome to the forum!
I think people have given you most of the good advice. I personally like buying different models so I can hone in on which features I really like. For me, I've gone back and forth on Temperament, but I've found I really like full length harp covers. They don't poke my hands as much. I thought I prefered recessed reed plates, but when I got higher end harps where they'd finished the edges on the reed plates better I found it didn't matter as much. I prefer rounded tines. I slightly prefer more closed back and unvented harps.
All those little details I figured out by trying different models. (Once I tried to make a spreadsheet to figure out the cheapest way to try as many different features as possible, but it never got finished.) My favorite harps tend to be Lee Oskars, Special 20s, Crossovers and anything Seydel makes. I like the sound of some other harps (Blues Harp, MB) but they rip up my lips. Other people have no problem with them.
I guess what I'm trying to say is we all have different preferences in the end. We can warn you away from the absolute disasters, but across the brands, once you get to the $30-$40 dollar range almost every diatonic harp is going to have someone who finds it their favorite.
:)
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ME.HarpDoc
208 posts
Nov 10, 2016
3:32 PM
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Havoc, FYI when you get new reed plates for your Seydel Blues Session they will be stainless steel like those in the Session Steel. Seydel does not sell brass reed plates separately and so replacement plates come SS. It's actually a pretty good deal. For around $30 you've upgraded to a Session Steel but without the orange comb.
If you haven't spotted this elsewhere on the forum, in the US Rockin Ron's is a well respected supplier of harps, reed plates, etc. Ron is so helpful and will be sure you are well served.
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jbone
2212 posts
Nov 11, 2016
4:21 AM
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Hi Havoc, welcome to a great forum! The broad overview is, you will seek different harps and land on what you like. You will keep a harp in your face as much as possible. You will find lessons on here and other places online and you will seek out local musicians who will let you jam with them.
Possibly you will want to find some breathing exercises so you can control the volume of air you put across a harp's reeds and learn good air focus. You may find a singing voice if you have not so far.
With diligence and an open mind you will become.
For me personally- long time hard head- it took a couple of decades to begin to really get what I wanted out of myself and my harps. These days a student mentality and the internet can take you a long way in a relatively short time. Harp jam camps are very popular too.
The long and short of it all is, I began trying to play because it felt good, and I continue to play for that reason today after 4+ decades. If you follow your heart and strive to meet the challenges these little instruments throw at you, you will do well.
Work hard, have fun, learn, grow, and feed your soul and the souls of those near you.
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shakeylee
591 posts
Nov 11, 2016
10:10 AM
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I suggest a partridge and orange in the middle,partridge and green on top and a grizzly hackle and peacock or even a prince nymph tailing .
And as far as filling out your G ,Bb or F harp, I find Suzuki promasters to be good.
Other budget harps to get your keys are blue midnights,bushman and anything in the 30-40 dollar range.
Rockin Ron's is a great source.
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www.shakeylee.com
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Havoc
11 posts
Nov 11, 2016
2:35 PM
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Shakey Lee,
Nice set up! Should bring them running!
Yes the pro master looks to have the same attractive shape the firebreath, but with a little friendlier price tag. Definitely intrigued!
If you don't cut it while it's hot......
Last Edited by Havoc on Nov 11, 2016 2:35 PM
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Havoc
12 posts
Nov 11, 2016
2:40 PM
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Nacoran looking forward to trying new harps through this obsession.
Meharpdoc doc yes I've had to replace reeds on my sessions already. I use eezydeelz.com, Fred has treated me great and become a friend through harps. Thanks
Jbone thanks for the counsel
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If you don't cut it while it's hot......
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Littoral
1428 posts
Nov 11, 2016
2:57 PM
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Rocking Rons is the place.
Special 20 really is a go to harp at your stage. It's like, if the golden melody was a marine band...
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