Hi, I'm buying B flat harmonica, and seller offers B and Bb keys, could you help me out which one is B flat. I know it's silly question most likely Thank you
The B-flat harp matches a black key on the piano, two half-steps below the white key that is C.
The B harp matches a white key on the piano, one half step (and right next to) the white key that is C.
B-flat harps are fairly common. I use mine on four or five songs on every gig.
B harps are relatively rare. If a music store has one, it's there because nobody has bought it; they've bought the keys that everybody uses. I use mine on a random song, once a year or less.
I have a B harp and it has sat in in my case for years and never been played, never! Finally, someone called out Tracey Chapman's tune "Give Me One Reason" in F#. Well, there you go....!!
I bet more folks play a Bb than a B--but the range is close, and Bb is regard as a friendly key for a harmonica, cross position is F, Cm in third--do any of you play in C#m a lot? I would think a B would be the right key for the verse in Layla--again, has anyone tried this?
Last Edited by Gnarly on Jun 21, 2017 10:42 AM
Call me weird, but my B harp is one of my favorites. I rarely get a chance to use it with a group, but if I'm just playing solo, I find myself grabbing it over my Bb harp. Might just be because it's newer to me or just one of those great luck of the draw harps, but I really enjoy playing it. It feels very responsive like a C harp, but has enough bottom to it for blues like a Bb or A harp. I bought mine because I play with a guitar player who plays one tune in F# (he calls it Gb).
Some of it boils down to the sound you are after. When I play or hear a Bb harp, I think of Gussow. When I play or hear an A harp, I think of Shellist. My C harp reminds me of everyone else. It all boils down to who's calling the tunes/keys I guess. If you are playing with a group, you need to be able to follow. Guitars and vocals typically trump your preference for harp key. We need to be flexible. That's ironic now that I think about it considering different keys mean more instruments for us. Anyway, if you are leading or playing solo, grab the one you like best.
Last Edited by Arrick on Jun 21, 2017 12:10 PM
When you play with a guitar player who tunes down a half step for vocal range or for easier bending of strings, you will use a B instead of a C when s/he plays the chords that would have been for a song in G, but are now in Gb/F#.
Capos and tuning down are usually why I have to use a B harp, but not always.
Songs that call for a Bb harp are usually songs played by horns, but not always. ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jun 21, 2017 8:03 PM
Sort of a country leaning band. Previous band was straight Blues and never used it. Use Bb much more often. ---------- Bluesharp- If you don't blow you suck...
I love the sound of the key of F#, so I use my B harp whenever I can. I don't think any one key is more crazy or odd than another, but it seems that people avoid certain keys because they may not be as easy or as comfortable to play in as other keys. At least this is what guitar players tell me (I don't play guitar). It seems if you wanted to play the guitar in Eb for example, to get the sound of the open strings and such, it is sometimes best to tune the guitar down a half step and play in E. Maybe you guitar players can chime in.
As for piano, my experience with church piano players is that they prefer to play in Eb, F, G Bb and C. Occasionally they will play in Ab, Db, or D, but if you ask them to play in E, A, B or F#, they seem to be uncomfortable with those keys. Again, talking about your average church piano players. It may be different for professional or blues piano players. By the same token, when I ask guitar players to play in Eb, Ab, Bb, Db, or F, I get the same type of response.
It is interesting to note that Irving Berlin, writer of many classic songs such as God Bless America, White Christmas, Blue Skies, Puttin' On The Ritz, Easter Parade, There's No Business LIke SHow Business, etc., played and wrote everything on the piano in F#, and had a special piano made that allowed him to transpose the key!
Bb jives with sax and horn players-- thats part of the reason it gets used a lot ---- hope this helps as well
Last Edited by snowman on Jun 24, 2017 3:12 PM
I found a B harp today. In a box of junk a guy gave me, mainly broken old hohner 'bad era' marine bands and blues harps, and also quite a few old MS harps including MS marine bands and MS special 20s. And a few broken weltmeister chromatics. I found about 6 harps worth rescuing, including this virtually 'new' marine band in B. It's manufactured in 2000, played a little unevenly, so I popped off the blow plate and did a quick shape and gap job, put it back together and it's a good harp. Even gives up a OB6 just for asking. Reeds are untarnished, comb was clean, covers very nice for a harp that was rescued from the junk box. but it's not a harp I have any specific use for. I put it in a case along with my Ab, Db, lowF, G country, hiG and spare E harps.
Oh, no worries, groyster! I didn't take offense at your post at all! You are right - F# is definitely a less commonly used key. My point was mainly that F# has a cool sound. I think all the sharps and flats sound good.
Most everyone will readily agree that a B harp is the least used regardless of whether you play blues, rock, country, etc. You also won't find many singers who prefer singing in the key of B. One exception would be Bruce Springsteen, so if you are playing in first position, a B harp would be appropriate for several Springsteen numbers.
I dunno, once you get outside of the standard keys it's kinda hard to say which one's are the least used.. Db? F#? B?
I like the B harp a lot actually, it's a good register. I like all the less common keys, they sound different and it feels good to play them for a little contrast sometimes you know? even if it's just practice or messing around..
---------- 4' 4+ 3' 2~~~ -Mike Ziemba Harmonica is Life!
I consider B, F# (I prefer low tuned), Db, and Ab to be 4 keys equally less frequently used than the other 8 keys of Richter harps in a set. Despite that, I have cause to use each those keys of diatonics on several occasions each year while playing with different bands or individuals.
I keep all 12 keys on hand in my basic set, plus High G and Low F and of course, 8 keyed chromatics. That way I am equipped to say "Sure" whenever ANY key is called.
If I am booked for a full gig, I bring duplicates of the diatonics and maybe some other low keyed harps, too. If you are serious about playing with others in a variety of groups, you must be prepared for whatever is called. ----------
There is a definite "aural color" to each key. This is why songwriters choose a specific key for their music - the original composers that is. Those that venture into learning perfect pitch understand this. Developing "color hearing" could be taught to kids at the same time they are learning "visual colors", but no one is really advancing this interesting concept.
Singers interpret the song and may change the key to suit their vocal range.
Key of "B" is a "brighter color" compared to "Bb", for instance.
Aside from that, a true musician will be ready for any situation - even keys that are not usually called. ---------- The Iceman
I jumped up on stage with a singer-songwriter guy at a fundraiser jam last week, and didn't have too many issues until he called out a song in C# minor. Had to think hard for what seemed like an eternity and grabbed the trusty B harp.
