My G harp gets a lot of mileage in multiple positions. G, A, B, C, D, and F are all easily available. It's even more versatile if you can overblow or have a valved harp to switch up whether a particular position is played major or minor... etc.
If we are talking strictly 1 harp, I think D does it. Keys of A, E, and G (which are the most common ones I come across when playing blues )are easily available.
The B-flat as it is the most enjoyable harp there is... not to high... not too low... if you must play with others then you need to be good as Howard Levy... but man.. get your self a side bag and go with at least five...
A 1: A 2: E 3: B 4: F# 5: C# 6: Ab 7: Eb 8: Bb 9: F 10: C 11: G 12: D
At least that's how it is richter tuned...
Also a very versatile harp, but I think the fact that you have "white key" keys in obscure positions like 9 and 10 makes it less versatile than the G. Not to mention you have "black key" keys on more familiar positions like 4 and 5.
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 5:04 PM
seems like most guitar players play blues in E and A so A harp and D harp are probably most common I really wish more players would play in F because Bb is my favorite harp I have never used Ab B Db or F# in a jam with a guitarist
TNFrank, if you are starting out learning music theory, C Major is the key to choose because it's got no flats or sharps to keep track of. It also lets you play along with a lot of 50's and 60's pop tunes and since it's in the middle of the range it's a good place to start for learning bending without getting to shrill. A lot of mediocre piano players play mostly in C so they don't have to worry about the black keys.
Most Guitar players fave key seems to be A -If you are primarily a cross harp player than you'll have most luck with a D harp which also covers you in E third pos. An A harp to play in E cross would be the second in my kit, then a C to play in G. I just came back from europe and sat in or jammed in Copenhagen, Barcelona and London. ( see recent thread "my world tour" for the videos) I carried all three but mostly used the D harp. - Go forth and Jam brother! ----------
If it ain't in cross--it ain't harp music--carry 'em all!
All the guitar players I have known favor the key of E--it's even called "the peoples key" at some jam sessions. Since I play old country-style blues mostly, I suppose the more modern thing is to play in A--probably because it's a big favorite of Eric Clapton--but screw it--I still like E. . . ----------
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 8:13 PM
Yes, we should all only play in cross... that's surely the best way to advance our instrument, and ensure a diverse and expressive community of musicians.
Only a harp player can say stuff like ". . .surely the best way to advance our instrument. . ." with a straight face. :O Guitar players don't have that much control--they just rip out another lick in E and drool.
Well guitars aren't considered toys by most people either.
Just like a guitar player can switch keys on a whim on the same guitar, we should be able to play multiple keys and modes on the same harp IMHO. I mean, I guess if you're strictly a blues guy, you can get away with just 2nd pos. But for the rest of us, just because it's not in cross, doesn't make it any less harp music.
For single harp I prefer Bb. But I always have 2 harps in pocket and 3 more harps in small bag along with keys and documents + 12 harp set in big bag, I don' always take with me (((: ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
If it is just to noodle on then typically C. This is mostly because I know all the note names really well and it makes it easier to transpose things I may want to practice, etc.
@jonlaing--I had no intention of offending you or anybody--I was just joking around. If you were offended, I apologize.
I personally don't really care that most people consider harp a toy, but I know it does bother some people, and I didn't mean to make less of that feeling. . .
@Frank, it looks like your best bet is to cary a Kit (A selection of harps) or better yet, don't sell your Folkmasters, throw them in your glove box and you always have a few with you and keep your good harps at home. I personally have a small harp case that I toss in the truck any time I think I might want to play and almost always have a BR in C in my pocket. ---------- The Art Teacher Formally Known As scstrickland
Last Edited by on Sep 29, 2010 1:09 PM
@oldwailer - I wasn't offended, just making a point, as were you. Carry on.
@TNFrank - I was speaking more in quintessential terms. You only know how bad some guitars can be, because you play. To someone who doesn't know dick about music: guitar=instrument, harmonica=toys-that-makes-noise.
As for me, I'm in college so I rarely leave the house without my bag, so I just stick my set of 12 in there, and I'm always ready for a jam. When I do carry just a harp or two, I've had the most luck with an A and a C. Now that I'm playing more and more positions, the G is coming up as a heavy hitter too.
I don't really have those old "fall back" harps anymore. Ever since I decided I wanted to learn how to customize, I've been destroying all of my cheap harps.
@TNFrank Yeah that was the same thing with my girlfriend and my friends. I could only practice when I was alone. As I got better though, and my tone started to improve, I became more listenable... My girlfriend even ASKS me to play for her now... I would have never predicted that 8 months ago.
Hang in there, and know that your tone is just as important as any other technique.
Get cargo pants. With all the pockets you can carry around a ton of harps!
Or you could buy a bunch of Hohner Puck's and re-tune them! (They only come in C and G or as a Double Puck C/G, but if you learn to work the tiny holes on a Puck you'll never have a hard time on any other harp, and they are so tiny you could carry around a complete set!
Last Edited by on Sep 27, 2010 8:13 PM
