Icemaster
8 posts
Dec 09, 2010
8:44 AM
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So I have an Eb Manji and a D Hammond on the way. My other harps are in my sig. Now that I have the major keys, what key next? And what other harps should I try?
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A - Hohner Crossover
Bb - Suzuki Manji
C - Special 20
D - Marine Band (stock)
F - Golden Melody
G - Hohner Crossover
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HarpNinja
815 posts
Dec 09, 2010
9:06 AM
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What type of music? What positions?
I'd maybe suggest a B if you are looking for a different key - and depending on the the type of music you play.
Otherwise, Low F would be an option.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
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bluemoose
437 posts
Dec 09, 2010
9:20 AM
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If you are into playing along with Kim Wilson you'll need an A-flat.
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MBH Webbrain
FerretCat Webbrain
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Swezey8
43 posts
Dec 09, 2010
9:22 AM
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Try a Low F next. Nice option instead of a reg F and cool for chugging rhythms. Isaac gave a heads up in an earlier post but amazon has MBD's for just over $30. Since I don't see any MBD's on your current list it might be a cool (and cheap) option.
Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Marine-Band-Deluxe-Harmonica/dp/B002B55RQ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1291915160&sr=8-1
Hope that helps!
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nacoran
3376 posts
Dec 09, 2010
10:41 AM
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Ab or low F would be the ones you'd likely play the most. It looks like you are trying to test out a bunch of different harps to find a favorite so maybe something in a Seydel? (An 1847 or a blues favorite) Another possibility is a minor tuned harp. Lee Oskars don't overblow well, but they are nearly impossible to destroy and they come in several alternate tunings (so does Seydel).
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Nate
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Harpwaiian
3 posts
Dec 09, 2010
10:54 AM
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Jimmy Gordon built me a low D. Nice, but i can't bend on the low end notes.
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Barry C.
74 posts
Dec 09, 2010
12:14 PM
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Low F - I love my Suzuki Promaster!
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~Banned in Boston!
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HarpNinja
817 posts
Dec 09, 2010
1:27 PM
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This last year I got MB's in Low E and D. I don't really use them much, but they are fun to have. If I played more blues, I think I'd get into them more. But yeah, even when set up well, they are often tough to bend!
I have a Sp20 from Buddha in Low F that is a really great harp. If you go the Low F route and are getting a stock harp, I don't have much love for the Hohner's.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
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hvyj
891 posts
Dec 09, 2010
2:10 PM
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You'll like the Hammond in D when you get it.
Anyway, the next most commonly used harps would be E and Ab. Some players like Low E, but I'm personally not a big fan of tenor (low) harps. I always play electric and in my experience tenor harps don't have sufficient cut if you are playing with a band.
If you play any rock material, the key of B gets called more often than in blues, but B also gets called every now and then in blues. You would use an E harp to play B in second position
Ab is a very useful harp. Besides Eb in second position, it gives you C natural minor in fifth position and C minor is a commonly called key. Also gives you F minor in fourth position.
Add Ab and E to the set of harps you have now and you will be covered for 98+% of the blues, rock and R&B material that is commonly played.
Btw, you don't need minor key harps to play in minor keys. I do quite a bit of playing in minor keys and I don't even own any minor key harps. Fifth and fourth positions are good for playing in natural minor keys--fifth position is especially good for natural minor blues and fifth position is very easy to learn. Third position is used for playing Dorian minors. The point is, if you know or intend to learn multiple position playing, you will also be covered for the most of the commonly called minor keys if you add the 2 harps I have suggested to the 7 harps you already have.
Last Edited by on Dec 09, 2010 2:25 PM
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Swezey8
45 posts
Dec 09, 2010
2:21 PM
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Like hvyj said, if you want to stay away from low harps then I'd pick up an Ab harp. While there's not too many 2nd position tunes you'll hear played on one (Superstition comes to mind), you can use it for 5th as noted, and also 3rd position in Bb minor, another pretty common key.
Brand on that is up to you, but if you're trying to test all brands maybe a Seydel next?
Last Edited by on Dec 09, 2010 2:21 PM
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bluemoose
438 posts
Dec 09, 2010
2:25 PM
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I've only used an E at jams maybe once in over 6 six years?
If you have an Ab in the bottom of your gig bag you are ready for the "half step down" SRV gang.
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MBH Webbrain
FerretCat Webbrain
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hvyj
892 posts
Dec 09, 2010
10:24 PM
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Just used my E tonight sitting in with a funk band. We played "Doo-Wah-Ditty" by Zapp in B.
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