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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
New York
New York
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pipoclown
1 post
Apr 05, 2010
5:41 AM
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Hi guys
I have never played the harmonica before, but i would like to buy one. I have looked to the FAQ of this site and Adam suggests buying a Hohner Marine Band. But wiki also has some other alternatives (other Hohner models, Lee Oskar and Suzuki): http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Harmonica/Harmonica_Purchasing_guide . I know there isn't one best harp and it all depends on personal taste, but as a beginner that personal taste should bee developped ;) So what kind of harmonica do you guys suggest?
You probably noticed the topic title is New York, well the reason for that is i'm leaving on a trip to NY tomorrow. I'm from Belgium and I thought there would be better stores for blues/jazz instruments in Harlem? So the second big question is: Are there any particular shops you guys would suggest visiting?
thanks a lot
Ruben
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earlounge
11 posts
Apr 05, 2010
9:16 AM
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There are quite a few music stores on 48th Street btwn 6th and 7th.
I started with a Hohner Special 20 in C.
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nacoran
1572 posts
Apr 05, 2010
11:18 AM
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I've been trying to try a variety of different harmonicas to figure out what I like. Each new key I get I get something different. The things I'd try would be:
Brands: Hohner, Seydel, Lee Oskar, Suzuki, Hering, Bushman.
Shapes: Smoothed Cover (like a Seydel Blues Favorite or a Hohner Meisterklasse), Regular shape, and Moon Shaped (like a Hohner Golden Melody)
Comb Materials: Wood, Plastic, Metal
Slot Length: Short (more for folk), Long (better for blues)
Tuning: Equal, Just, Compromise (and then there are other fun things like Spanish, Diminished, Circular, Minor Keys, Melody Makers, Paddy Tuning, etc.)
Type: Blues (Diatonic), Tremolo, Chromatic, Octave, Bass, Chord
Reed Material: Brass, Bronze Phosphor, Stainless
Key: Low F to High G are the 'normal' keys, but lower and higher tunings are available.
Now that we've got you all confused, here is all you really need to remember for your first harmonica. Most of the lessons you'll find assume your first harmonica is a Blues (diatonic) harmonica in the key of C. The standard that everyone compares things to is the Marine Band (just make sure it's the diatonic Marine Band, not the octave. It might be worth the few extra bucks to get a Deluxe or a Crossover.) Wood combs on cheaper harmonicas will rough up your lips. I personally, for a beginner harmonica, would recommend a Hohner Special 20 or a Lee Oskar (Major Key only). They have plastic combs so they are easier on the lips. I has good sound and is fairly durable.
Good first harps:
Lee Oskar C Major
Hohner Special 20 C Major
Hohner Marine Band C Major
Hohner Marine Band Deluxe C Major
Hohner Marine Band Crossover C Major
Hohner Golden Melody C Major
Hohner Blue Harp C Major
There are also several good Suzuki's. I wouldn't recommend a Seydel until you learn breath control. You could try a Hering 1923. If you've got a few extra bucks, after you've bought your first harp you can buy a box of the cheaper harps, just so you have some other keys to play with. There are some cheap sets like Johnson, and Hohner Blues Bands and Hohner Piedmonts (which I actually kind of like once the nasty taste wears off).
Learn to play soft first. You'll blow out fewer harmonicas. It's easier to increase how loud you play than decrease it once you've gotten in the habit of playing loud.
I don't know the stores down in the city. If they are like the ones up the Hudson they will have mostly Hohners and Lee Oskars. If you have a mustache, make sure it's trimmed up, particularly if you get a Lee Oskar.
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Nate
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