Tnfishdaddy
5 posts
Jul 20, 2013
4:13 PM
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I recently acquired several harmonicas from my dad. He hasn't played in years. He has a pretty good collection he has collected over the years. I was recently visiting with him and he mentioned he was thinking about selling them. I told him I would like to buy a few and he said that I could have them. He just didn't think I was interested. Long story short, he has decided to keep the good stuff for now but he did give me several odds and ends he had extras of or keys he didn't like. I am jumping in with both feet and I am already looking to buy some more. Here is my question. What keys should I be buying for now. My dad likes C but I was wondering what you guys think. If you are buying 2 or 3 harmonicas to try out, what key should I buy them in? All of them in C or mix it up? Forgot to mention, I have a couple of Marine Bands, a Golden melody (my dad's favorite), three Special 20s, a couple of Lee Oskars and then a few older Hohners that are more collectible than daily players. I am still playing around with these to see what feels good to me. Of course, being such a new player, I have more than I need but new ones are calling my name"
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Tnfishdaddy
6 posts
Jul 20, 2013
4:18 PM
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I forgot to ask, let's say you we're going to buy a full set, one or two at a time, in what order would you buy them?
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BronzeWailer
1082 posts
Jul 20, 2013
4:51 PM
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First of all, welcome, TFD! You're in the right place. Partly depends on what you want to play. Assuming you want to pay blues, you may want an A harp as you play in E if you play in cross harp. Many songs are in E. You have a C. Maybe D next. You can then play in A ion cross harp. In terms of models, I like Crossovers. Everyone is different but they respond best to my style of playing and sound best to my ears.
Good luck.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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Georgia Blues
78 posts
Jul 20, 2013
5:28 PM
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Assuming you are intersted in the blues, I would select an A, B flat, C, F and G to get started. Consider a low F and low D in the near future. Learn first, second and third positions and you will be in ready for most anything harp wise.. And... This is a great forum. You wil learn a lot from these folks.
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Alex
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FMWoodeye
758 posts
Jul 20, 2013
6:00 PM
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There ARE no stoopid questions. Well....maybe now and then.
One thing to keep in mind when you're trying out and comparing different harps is that when you get a "high" harp, i.e., high E, F, F#, the playing characteristics will differ some from the midrange harps, A, Bb, C, D. The point is don't blame the model or brand of harp until you compare harps in similar keys. The same goes for "low" harps, i.e., low E, low F. You will find that you can do things (bend, for instance) easier on a C harp than a low E. This might encourage you to stick with the C....but in your heart you know that's wrong.
Last Edited by FMWoodeye on Jul 20, 2013 6:01 PM
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rbeetsme
1310 posts
Jul 20, 2013
7:24 PM
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Woodie is right, no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people. No, no, just kidding. I wouldn't buy any for now. Learn to play first. Listen to the music you like, what keys are being played. Try to learn to play some first position tunes first. Later study 2nd position. Once you are comfortable with the harp and know what you are after, consider buying more. I wouldn't be too concerned about collectable value with the harps you mentioned, just play them, find one you like.
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hooktool
50 posts
Jul 20, 2013
9:21 PM
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I assume from your username you live in TN-where?
I've recently started playing again, and since there ate many more options in harps, and I have a little more money, I've been trying quite a few different harps, some special tunings, too. They accumulate fast.
The best out of the box I have gotten is the Crossover-even effort up and down the harp. But there are a lot of good ones, if you can afford it, try some different ones and see what you like best.
After you read here for a while you'll notice that some very good players have the opposite opinion on the same harps. My opinion isn't worth all that much,but there is no doubt that there are some harps that immediately feel right when you start to play.
Maybe you can talk your dad into playing some again ( I'm proof you don't completely forget how)-probably a lot to learn from him.
John
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jbone
1303 posts
Jul 20, 2013
9:38 PM
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I've had all the keys at one time or another. Some I don't use these days are E and F#. Just about all the other harps do have a place in my case.
it is a cool adventure getting to know what a particular type and key harp will do. Your knowledge of these things will continue to grow as you try different options.
I favor the Suzuki Manji mostly. Pretty pricey for a beginner. Other flavors I like are Hohner Special 20 and Big River, and I just bought a cheap set of Hohner Piedmont Blues harps. Not terrible and a nice case to boot for pretty cheap. I would NEVER gig with the cheapies but when we busk on the street i sometimes have an opportunity to give one away to a kid, which is pretty cool.
You will likely blow out a reed here or there so if you have a harp from your Dad which means something to you, put that one away and beat up some other ones. My first harp was a Marine Band that had been my Dad's and had sat in a box for 12 years after he passed. I abused that harp without mercy and finally tossed it away. I was a fool.
This is a very good joint to hang out in. There are all skill levels, teachers, customizers, and average joes like me who have played a long time and like to share experiences.
Youtube has some great videos our founder made. Adam Gussow aka Kudzurunner. He can definitely get you started on some nuts and bolts lessons to get you playing
Welcome by the way! Grab a chair.
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Rubes
731 posts
Jul 21, 2013
5:59 AM
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I wrote a longish post last night not long after you first posted....but the stinkin' captcha got me every time!!
Anyway....what i wanted to say Hooktool mentioned..talk more to your dad, he must be able to pass some knowledge on ...what with that collection!
Also another vote for trying different brands....and welcome to our crazy but fun world...
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One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
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Tnfishdaddy
7 posts
Jul 21, 2013
11:02 AM
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@Hooktool I am in upper east TN. A small town by the name of Greeneville.
I could learn from dad but we live about 6 hours away and only see each other a couple of times a year. Dad hasn't played in years. He has been spending all of his time wood carving.
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Rarko
22 posts
Jul 21, 2013
1:18 PM
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Two years ago I had same question... But on MBH forum there was several topics about that (and still from time to time this question comes up). So, I did like most of people said: first C and then A. after that - D, Bb, G, F... And I realy think that C and A are most important. Go with C, A and then D, you wont made a mistake ;)
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hooktool
51 posts
Jul 21, 2013
2:03 PM
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I know Greeneville, but I live in Nashville-too far to get together. I make my living carving/turning wood.
John
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