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You can do better than the Folkmaster. Most of Suzuki's product line is solid to excellent, but the Folkmaster is near the bottom end.
If you're looking at price, something better in that price range would be an East Top T008K, which you can find in various keys on Amazon for $11.99. For instance: https://www.amazon.com/Easttop-Diatonic-Harmonica-Musical-Instrument/dp/B01GFVGABA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1492022707&sr=8-6&keywords=easttop+harmonica
I had the same problem of not having any feedback and I solved it with a tuning app. I'm using gStrings and it shows me what note I'm playing. I don't know if there are any better apps or pc programs (but I bet you'll find some), this was just the first thing I've installed and it was ok.
One tip I could give from my few uses: control the position of your head. I tend to look down when my phone isn't positioned properly and sometimes it's difficult for me to bend because of this.
Definitely not for everyone, but several years ago I stumbled across an article called "Acoustical and physical dynamics of the diatonic harmonica", which may be illuminating about what is going on physically with bending.
My two books, Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition and Blues Harmonica For Dummies, both get high marks from reviewers/readers. Both are available on Amazon. While the blues book comes with an audio CD, HFD, Second Edition comes with online audio, video, and animation.
I'm gonna give you a better answer about chord theory and chords on the harmonica when I get to work and I can grab the sheet music for this song but the short answer is that bob dylan plays those last 3 lines like so:
The song is in D BTW and Dylan is playing a D harp
- Answer = -5 (the G chord isn't fully available so you just play G)
- my= 4,5,6 (the D chord)
friend= -2,-3,-4 (the A chord. You can make it 2,3,4,5 for a cool sounding A7 chord)
blowin' in = D chord
the A7 chord
wind D chord
the answer = -5
is= D chord
blowin' in the= A7 chord
wind = D chord
edit
So I still stand by my original post based on how Dylan plays it but after looking at the sheet music it turns out the chord changes are even simpler. Here's a link to the sheet music:
Just look at the chords and you can see it's only D, G, and A. So play any 3 blow notes for the D chord, any 3 suck notes from -1,-2,-3,-4 (if you play -2,-3,-4,-5 it will be a A7 chord but that still sounds cool) and for the G chord you have to play -5 and -6 and 7 in succession or just play -5.
Actually, Harmony Assistant, a music notation program, will generate harmonica tab from notation that is entered into the document.
http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/harmony.htm
http://www.myriad-online.com/resources/docs/harmony/english/tabharmonica.htm
Any reason to not use musescore.org , or whatever you have been using before? Since you are on chromatic, you should be able to handle weird stuff, and you can use Musescore to transpose, etc. Maybe a better question would be: any reason to not use your clarinets sheets?
I wouldn't advise it. It has a plastic mouthpiece and leaks air pretty bad. Overpriced for what you get. This would be better and cheaper:
https://www.amazon.com/East-top-Chromatic-Harmonica-Professional/dp/B08PPCG7QH
But if you can afford a better Hohner, Suzuki, or Seydel, I'd go for one of those, but in most cases you're looking at over $200 for one of those.
East top makes decent - entry level chromatics. Spend 80-100 bucks and start experimenting!
I found this book helpful to start
The Instant Chromatic Harmonica:... https://www.amazon.com/dp/0918321905?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I use a tuning app on my android phone. It detects which note you are playing and how accurately you are playing it. It seems to work pretty good for me! This is the app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bork.dsp.datuna&hl=en
I have been using harmonica holders for decades - 95% of the time its how I play the harmonica. I've been through who knows how many different kinds.
I'm going to suggest a smaller harmonica holder than the Hohner one mentioned - those things are huge. There are safety issues for a three year old as mentioned in the comments also, but if this helps at all, this harmonica holders' springs are so tight that once you get the harmonica in there, it isn't coming out again without a concerted effort. Plus its around ten dollars and for those interested, it comes with washers along with the wing nuts so it will stay tightened down (most don't) once it is adjusted to where you want it to be.
You might consider clamping the harmonica holder down permanently somewhere that the child could play the harmonica in the rack but couldn't run with it, fall down with it, etc. - just an idea.
thomannmusic.com is a good place for US (thomann.de for EU). Also look around in your own state or country for local music shops.
You should normally find them at these prices on Amazon too but it seems to vary wildly, especially with xmas coming up. Do not pay more than $35 for them on Amazon, shop around.
If you must buy on Amazon filter for entries sold directly by Amazon and always double-check the price. Here's a listing for Lee Oskar Major for $35.
ping /u/bad_moto_scoot
(If it needs to be said, never buy used or returned harmonicas.)
I picked up a copy of this book a couple years ago, but it's still in the to be read pile with some harmonic minor harps nearby. So I can't vouch for its coolness or value. OTH, the author is one of my online gurus and has been for many years, so I am confident it's worth a look.
https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Minor-Tunebook-Hundred-Harmonica/dp/1479133140
There is a sequel called "Son of ..."
I've never played a tremolo nor an Easttop. But, I'd probably go with one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Tremolo-Harmonica-Musical-Instrument/dp/B01GO1GEKI
I have aa few chromatics.Hohner Suzuki ..I like all of them
I just bought this from Amazon to see what $33.00 would buy. I also wanted a 10 hole to cary around. Also the fewer holes are easier to find your way on.
I was more than impressed..great value
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GWLD4Q2?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1
Looks like there is a translation of Dave Barrett's book into Spanish.
https://www.amazon.com/First-Lessons-Harmonica-Spanish-Book/dp/0786684011
I googled Spanish harmonica lessons and saw a few results to see if there was anyone I knew who I could recommend. There were a few results but none that I knew. (For anyone else looking, I can recommend French, Portuguese or Russian speaking teachers, and probably scratch up some other ones.)
Pretty sure it's using a C like MrAndcrank said. A lot of distortion on it and it's a lot of chords so it's hard to pick out the bends that give it away, but when he goes to single notes it sounds like the blow/draw patterns match.
https://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Special-20-Harmonica-Major/dp/B007J49GPK
If you are starting out C is a good key to have anyway. It's what most lessons use. (Given the age of the song there is a good chance he's playing it on a Marine Band. Same reeds as the Special 20. I think the Special 20 is more durable and easier on the lips than the Marine Band, so I'd go with the Sp20.)
I noticed a 12 hole version that goes for around 70 bucks...
This one seems to have 14 so I've no idea what it is, maybe something rare. Either way, if you're gonna play it be sure to clean it like crazy first. Think of it as wearing someone else's braces.
You should buy a chromatic tuner-You can get one for $15. Then when you blow or draw on a note, you know what the note is without a chart. Here is the $15 tuner I have: https://www.amazon.com/Korg-CA-2-Chromatic-Tuner-CA2/dp/B06WLN8W8W/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1VK0I6XFSYM8Z&keywords=chromatic+tuner&qid=1646276243&sprefix=chromatic+tuner%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-16
This microphone actually works really nice despite being only $1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MP566OM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Jonah Fox recommended it and I've really been enjoying it. As for the Wilde Seydels. It gives you less options when it comes to using double stops. Just something to keep in mind.
I was thinking something like this Hohner Piedmont Blues Harmonica Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A2HDXA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_U80Fub10N3NY4
I realize they're plastic, but I figure someone would rather have the other keys and a case, in case he already has like 5 Cs or something.
Winslow answered on MBH. He said there is an app that will do harmonica tabs from midi files.
I think the following have low D: Lee Oskar, Manji, and Rocket. There's also the Hohner Thunderbird, which has always seemed stupid expensive to me.
Consider getting some musician's earplugs. I have these.
Amazon. Only $10.50 now, but some of the reviews mentioned that it has been anywhere between $15-20 in the past.
I know this is a "cheap" harp, which are usually crap, but it really sounds kinda nice for what I paid for it. The reeds on the G side buzz a bit when it's cold, but that goes away as soon as it warms up. For just dipping my toes into the tremelo waters, it didn't seem like a bad investment, especially since the reviews were mostly positive. I dont doubt that a more expensive harp is better, but this will do for me(for now)
I have one of these, wildly regarded as total garbage, and I don't hate it.
Swan SW1040 10 Hole 40 Tone C Key Chromatic Harmonica Adult Students Beginners Entry Professional Playing Variable Tone Instrument https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G59TYN8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_V0F8VHE47BQ658QZ7YQH
Those blues band harps are cheeper than the Hohner Blues harps that band was probably playing on. Your link is more of a starter set. Not a bad set to start on, but eventually you will want something better. This is what I was referring to:
Hohner Blues 5 Harmonica Set with Case, Stainless steel (COB) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GF9AOK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WPG02PA8N1YSS4GJTZZA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
You should do what Nacoran says to get better at theory, but musescore also has a plugin available to convert from sheet to tabs.
https://musescore.org/en/project/harmonica-tablature-harp
To use it you just need to install musescore, install the plugin, load the sheet music and then use the plugin.
Yeah, once you get passed the little beginning bit on steel guitar that's just harmonica. For a second I thought it might be an accordion or a fiddle at the beginning but there are bends. Lots of clean single notes. Unfortunately the site only gives a quick sample and just when the harp starts doing really cool stuff the sample ends. :( Something comes in at the same time the harp moves forward too that makes it sound more accordion like but ones it gets going there are clear harmonica notes.
https://www.deezer.com/us/track/118743352
Here is a slower piece by Todd Parrott, but you can sort of hear some of the same sort of sounds on it.
udemy.com always has sales. wait for one. I got the entire suite of harmonica lessons, something like 250 lessons with videos etc for $14. the best part is there's an app so you can download lessons and watch them anywhere. I highly recommend it. FYI not a paid shill just really satisfied with the course so far. Also you can watch the lessons on your tv if you have a device with a browser, beats looking down at your phone or computer. Good luck.
https://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Pro-Harp-Harmonica-Key/dp/B0002E512G
This is the variant but huh I just realized I'm really fucking stupid the faq was saying that it's a great c option for someone who bought a c# accidently, I'll close the thread soon because I think that my problem was solved
is thisharmonica good?
I like this book because it gives specific exercises to work on each week. Assuming you're learning diatonic Harmonica Aerobics: A 42-Week Workout Program for Developing, Improving, and Maintaining Harmonica Technique
If you're learning chromatic... Method for Chromatic Harmonica
And lest I forget, the author of Harmonica for Dummies, Winslow Yerxa posts here occasionally.
I don't know what you mean by "Suzuki", but thanks for the recommendations! I will be going with the "Pro". (by which i mean this one: <strong>https://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Accordions-M564016X-Pro-Harp/dp/B00V6CT8M2#customerReviews</strong>)
hey man I just saw your post.
That sounds like bending to me.
try this app : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.pr422.tuner.harmonica
Launch it, set your key (same as harp obvs) and play that 7blow. this app is nice because it highlights the notes on a harmonica staff. Play the 7 blow and try to play it as unbent as possible. If you can get the note inside the square (on pitch) the reed is good. If you're flat work on your embouchure. Try to make a big wide, tongue down, space for unobstructed air to get to the reed. Warm air (from deep inside. Don't blow, breathe).
for the record 7 can bend. Ppl don't really bother because you can bend 7 blow into 7draw (meaning you're playing the draw pitch on the blow... what's the point right?) Usually 7 blow isn't gapped to bend though.
Dremel is a company that makes small electric power tools, including a rotary tool with many attachments and accessories for drilling, sanding, polishing, etc. Here's the web page for that tool:
https://www.dremel.com/en_US/tools/-/subcategory/tool/find-by-category/27343/rotary
h\Here's the drill press stand (not including the drill tool) on Amazon. Read the reviews, however:
That's perfect man... $22 with shipping from Amazon... thanks for that tip!
I searched C# and Db on google... surprised this one didnt show up... I must not have scrolled enough. Thanks again!
https://www.amazon.com/Diatonic-Harmonica-Harmonicas-Beginners-Professional/dp/B01GH146GE
No prob! Also, I just found this trying to search for your harp: https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Blues-Deluxe-Harmonica-Key/dp/B00KZHMZ1K/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=yamaha+15t+harmonica&qid=1569514054&sr=8-1-fkmr1
Fender harmonicas don't have quite as rich a sound as special 20s, but are very very very close... and are just as responsive and nearly as sensitive in my experience. special 20s are my main, and then I have fenders for backups/for a couple of keys that aren't used much and I didn't want to drop a ton of cash on for a special 20. (the more exotic keys tend to be a bit more expensive) If you don't want to drop $50 on a harp from sweetwater, you can get that fender for $10 and it ships with amazon prime.
Some advice I posted in a previous thread re: buying harmonicas:
> If you like the idea of playing harmonica (and you should, its fun as hell with a perfect learning curve) try picking up a Hohner Special 20 10 hole diatonic in C. You can pick one up online for about $50: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Special20C--hohner-special-20-key-of-c
You might be able to find one cheaper at a local shop... I tried checking amazon and was surprised to see they have a lot of more exotic harps, but very little in the ways of special 20 C, which is probably the most commonly used harp on the planet...
A special 20 C will allow you to play along to folk and country songs in the key of C, blues songs in the key of G, all songs (but with a slightly brighter/folkier sound) in the key of Am (relative minor to C) and all songs (with a slightly more restricted range and "bluesy" sound) in the key of Dm. (third position)
and:
> No prob! Also, I just found this trying to search for your harp: https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Blues-Deluxe-Harmonica-Key/dp/B00KZHMZ1K/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=yamaha+15t+harmonica&qid=1569514054&sr=8-1-fkmr1
Fender harmonicas don't have quite as rich a sound as special 20s, but are very very very close... and are just as responsive and nearly as sensitive in my experience. special 20s are my main, and then I have fenders for backups/for a couple of keys that aren't used much and I didn't want to drop a ton of cash on for a special 20. (the more exotic keys tend to be a bit more expensive) If you don't want to drop $50 on a harp from sweetwater, you can get that fender for $10 and it ships with amazon prime.
I have a couple bluesmasters and yah, they rattle a lot. It won't damage the harp but it can be annoying.
This is cheaper and easier than getting a new case: https://www.amazon.com/Rok-Hardware-Heavy-Self-Adhesive-Strips/dp/B01K5NPHUY/ref=sr_1_29?dchild=1&keywords=felt+strips&qid=1603042119&sr=8-29
Just stick a couple of those along the bottom of the case and your harp will fit snuggly. Using a razor blade, you can trim them to any thickness you want. Felt is durable that way.
I am also a fan of the single cases, they've always worked well for me.
For multiples I like this one:
This might work for you, though it only fits a 12-hole chromatic.
https://www.amazon.com/Harmonica-case-chromatic-harmonica-Harmo/dp/B07RM6QXTV?ref_=ast_sto_dp
You can get one for a 16 here: https://www.newharmonica.com/shopping/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=420
If you have a little music theory then HarpGuru can help you with this.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_uFG-i4MZeFE3JYoFv0R0A
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jslog.harpguru
You can tell HarpGuru what notes make up the melody and then use the visualisation tools to firstly understand which harmonicas could be used and in which positions, and then as a reference for where the various notes in the stave are on your instrument.
It can even help you see whether a different tuning could be the answer to unlocking a tune which might otherwise be out for reach for any number of reasons.
There'll be an instructional video added soon on how to do this effectively with clarification on why this is such a powerful technique, but for now there is some elusion to it in the 'feature overview' video at the YouTube channel link provided above.
Any questions, I'll be happy to help.
This is great, and if you want an interactive app which gives you all of this in a more digestible and rich format in a way that helps you demystify all of your harmonicas then check out HarpGuru.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_uFG-i4MZeFE3JYoFv0R0A
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jslog.harpguru
Any questions, I'll be happy to help.
Looks good! Also quite similar to one I made for Android a long time ago ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.johnnycardy.keyfinder&hl=en_GB)
I'm a fan of the Farmer/Seydel Gecko rack. The best features are that you can quickly open up the rack to put in on/take it off without losing the angle adjustment (hard to explain the mechanism exactly in words but check out the video on the site), and the magnetic harp attachment is very quick and easy provided your harp has magnet-friendly covers (most harps including marine bands do, and for ones that don't you can cut a strip of a stick-on magnetic material and slap that on the inside of the bottom cover). It has good adjustability (important) and I also like the fact that there's a minimal amount of hardware in front of your face (it's about as sleek as a harmonica rack gets). Just very user-friendly all around.
My only complaint is the leather pads on the chest rest can be a bit slick and slide on certain materials; I painted some silicone rubber on them to give it a bit more grip and it helps.
One idea for adding a bit of stability to any rack would be to add a little weight; been meaning to try that (might try a brass comb for that reason although I think a couple weights right above the chest rest is probably better).
harptabs has some specifically for chromatic.
You can make your own by finding the sheet music you want, transcribing it into MuseScore (a free sheet music program), and using a plugin. Details here: https://blog.ftwynn.com/making-harmonica-tabs-the-easiest-way-ive-found-so-far
I will say, reading sheet music for chrom (C harp in particular) is not too bad if you've read music in the past.
This is the most approachable book I've found on that. Then you just need the sheet music you want, which MuseScore.com has tons of to search through.
JDR Harmonica ,10 Holes 20 Tones Blues Harmonica Key of C ,With 1mm Plate Structure For Beginners, Kids, Musician, Suitable For Any Occasion, Like Blues, Folk, Jazz and Pop https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07F6Y14BS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KFAjFbQQ6QHEZ how's this one??
I got this one from amazon that sounds decent. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KZKLYGB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I started getting serious a couple of months ago and just bought a Hohner Special 20 in C from amazon. It’s been good so far, but it’s the only diatonic I’ve had so far. I was close to $40.
But, I just ordered a Paddy Richter tuned harmonica and it’s an Easttop Blues Harmonica that they tune to Paddy Richter (I want to be able to play the Celtic tunes easier).
So I looked up reviews of the Easttop Blues harp and people seem to be impressed. Brendan Powers reviewed it and liked it even. It’s only $25
I recommending starting with a C harmonica because most teaching material uses that key. It's really about the way you play it, not the key of the harmonica, to sound bluesy. An A harmonica works well with blues because so many blues songs are in E (which is 2nd position on an A harmonica). Since you're planning to accompany yourself on guitar, I would recommend you get a C and then next get a harmonica where 2nd position is in the key you find most comfortable to play blues on guitar. Again, A works because I think E is one of the easier keys to play blues guitar. In my opinion it's easier to play lower harmonicas (up to a certain point), and A is right in the sweet spot for me.
Special 20s sound great in my opinion. Many pros use them. I don't think there's a great reason to spend more than that on your first harmonica, but if you insist, I like the Suzuki Manji or Hohner Marine Band Deluxe. These days whenever I need a new harmonica I get a Manji. I don't have any experience with Seydel 1847s but I hear good things. Prices are sometimes weird - especially on Amazon - and you can actually find a Manji for cheaper than a Special 20. Right now I see one that's selling for the same price as the best price on a Special 20: https://www.amazon.com/Suzuki-Harmonica-M20-Manji-10-Hole/dp/B004D1FHMS/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=suzuki+manji&qid=1583451033&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2
Finally, I haven't used it much but I have one of the cheap Hohner ones and it gets the job done.
When it's time to polish the metal, head to your local version of Walmart or Amazon and pick up some aluminum polish. I use Mother's. It's strong enough to work on the metals harmonicas use, but also pretty gentle. Just rub that on and if your cloth starts going black it's working. Get that elbow grease going and every few minutes wipe it off so you can see your progress. Repeat until fine scratches are gone and it's shiny new.
If you have deeper scratches, then you'll need to use sandpaper in increasingly finer grades first. 120 -> 220 -> 400 -> 1000 -> aluminum polish will take a seriously messed up cover plate to shiny new in about 15 minutes total. It's pretty easy to do.
This pack of sandpaperwill do hundreds of harps
Is this what I should get? Its only $20.
Couldn't find a more expensive Kongsheng on amazon and there aren't any at all on sweetwater.
for #3 I noticed the same thing as you. Seems like there's not many resources out there for real harmonica tabs that aren't just a simple vocal line. Just looking through amazon, you get a sense that there's not much sheet music out there either.
I spent the free month on bluesharmonica.com and the lessons are great, but a single study song can't hold my interest forever (even as good as I am getting at playing it), and I can't bend well enough to start the next lessons. It would be nice to have something to work on that sounds good and isn't a practice drill or mary had a little lamb etc.
I ordered this book https://www.amazon.com/Blues-Harmonica-Collection-Leonard-Corp/dp/0793516005 to fill that gap, but since I don't have it yet I can't comment on its contents.
Hope you get some helpful responses. cheers!
I dont know any as I taught myself based on my knowledge of other instruments. I would recommend if you are going to do it to spend your money on a real book sixth edition to get a bunch of jazz melodies/chords and irealpro to practice soloing over them. I think the embouchures pretty similar so you shouldnt need much besides forcing yourself to actually use the slide (jazz tunes tend to go through a few keys so you will get a slide workout). Some of the guys on slidemeister have strong opinions on chromatic books if that peaks your interest.
If you ever want a theory book I recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Music-Concepts-Applications-Vol/dp/0070654743
Its serious but I learned so much. One thing that might help you is looking up functional harmony. Its basically the theory of what chords lead where. It changed everything for me because I learned to imply other chords on top of simple progressions while stilling moving with them.
I am still learning this as well, there are some keys I recognize almost immediately while others escape me.
I've found it super useful to use a tuner app, and/or a key finder app like these. They can use the mic in your phone and it'll work out what key the song is in and tell you.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.ncoreappservices.KeyFinder
Temperament schemes for harmonicas are no big secret. And different models are tempered either for consonant chords, melody notes in tune with equal-tempered instruments, or some compromise between the two.
Most tuning schemes are expressed as offsets from the default equal tempered (ET) notes on a tuner. For instance, a perfectly tempered major chord will have the thirds at -14 (14 cents flat from ET) and the fifths at +2.
One of the safest tools you can use when you start tuning is a sanding detailer, which has a narrow loop of sandpaper tensioned around a pencil-like stylus, like this. You can find them online or in hobby/craft stores. You sand at the free end to raise pitch, and at the base to lower pitch, supporting the reed with a shim, and frequently plucking the reed and testing.
A great resource for information on harmonica tuning is at Pat Missin's website.
That's why I included it in that position in Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition.
You can also get a USB adapter for standard vocal mics, like this one:
There may be a mismatch between your standard vocal mics and your sound card, possibly an impedance difference. Are you plugging them into a mic input or into a guitar/instrument input? The latter are high impedance and most vocals mics are low impedance; you can get an inline matching transformer if that's the case.
In her other videos the sleeve resting at the top appears to be too big to be closed in the case.
I think it's something like this and you can just pick the little squares out to make the harps slide in vertically.
https://www.amazon.com/SRA-Cases-Aluminum-Insert-Inches/dp/B00NPYDF8W/
This book has quite the collection: Cowboy Songs for Harmonica if you want to learn to play them. I’m sure you could also find them online/YouTube/etc
Smaller cases with elastic straps might work out better then. Something like: https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Oskar-Place-Harp-Pouch/dp/B000EEJ3S2/
I have this one kicking around too, it's good quality and can handle weird shapes.
Either way, you're going to need something flexible for the shape of that harp. I don't know of anything like that for a single harp.
what are a couple decent beginner songs you'd recommend? and if i only get 1 harp for now and it's in D, will that matter?
i'm thinking about this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KZHMU5G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Other wind instruments and singing only make sounds on the exhaled breath, not inhaled. They only inhale to re-fill the breath supply. And they use only a single tone generator (vocal cords or a single reed or mouthpiece).
Harmonica uses a different tone generator (reed) for each note, and the time it takes to arrest all the air moving in your respiratory system, get it moving in the opposite direction, and then get the new reed sounding, introduces lag time that doesn't happen with other instruments (except the close cousin of the harmonica, the diatonic accordion).
Glad you're liking Harmonica For Dummies!
You could get a copy of Harmonica For Dummies, either in paper form or Kindle.
That'll give you stuff you could work on for years. It includes tunes, but it's more about strengthening your skills and abilities on the harmonica.
At first, just breathe gently through it - letting your throat be open and keeping your nose closed.
Don't forget to inhale through the harp as well as exhale. Just listen to the different sounds you get.
Keeping the harp in your lips, glide it to the left and right as you breathe to hear the different sounds.
You can play tunes without isolating a single hole, because the harmonica harmonies with itself.
Focus on the middle holes (4 through 7) and
try to find some familiar, simple tunes, things like Mary Had a Little Lamb.
For more detail, you can go from beginner to fairly advanced with my book (and its accompanying audio, video and animation):
> it is quite simple to pick up.
Emphasis on "pick up", but not master.
> So my question to you is- is my research correct?
There are better beginner instruments. But the Harmonica is certainly the cheapest serious instrument. The Piano is the easiest instrument for teaching and understanding serious music theory, but even a "cheap" keyboard setup will cost you hundreds of dollars.
A major issue with the Harmonica is that its a blind instrument. All of the advanced moves are internal to tongue position. Nonetheless, many musicians have started on the Harmonica and have learned to make due anyway.
"Easy" Harmonica songs are indeed pretty easy. Sticking to folk songs and beginner books is what I'd suggest to you.
Reaching the "intermediate" phase with bends and overblows, and the "advanced" stage of tongue-blocked chords and such is devilishly complicated: it requires a well trained ear and very careful mouth and tongue control. If you start tomorrow, you are literally years away before you can even attempt the first page of an advanced book like this one
Take it slow and be happy with where you get. There's no need to become a blues master, but the path to becoming that is open if you work hard enough.
https://www.amazon.com/Irish-American-Fiddle-Tunes-Harmonica/dp/0931759102
Really though, all these melodies can be done an octave higher and get the same goal. All the Paddy tuning gives is opening up the lower octave for faster tunes. For your ballads you can even get away with bending for that missing note a paddy gives. The Paddy tuning was originally conceived for the fact consistantly hitting that bend in faster playing sounded horrid.
Just look at the notes available on a regular Richter and compare it to sheet music. Don't be afraid to bend in folk melody playing, at least if you're not accompanying anyone.
Thanks for your feedback - I think you're right in thinking now is the time to focus on your breathing, because breathing leads directly into your tone. I remember when I was starting out, after I had gotten a grip on how to isolate notes and move around the harp, I focused a lot on breathing from my stomach. This gives you a deep and full bodied tone, especially from the lower notes. You don't want to "chirp" them. Here is a video that really helped me with this concept starting out.
I think it would also be useful to start thinking about different positions on the harp over the next few months. I'm not sure how familiar you are just yet, but depending on where you start and what notes you stick to, you can play different styles easily. First position lets you play basic melodies, but when you move into second and third position you can really start feeling the blues. This is a book that really helped me.
Finally, I really like your idea of an overarching song when you're first learning. It would be cool to break it down into different exercises and riffs, then build it up to a full song at the end. I'll definitely keep this in mind when building the site.
A is optimal because it is not too deep or too high, and it's cross position (blues position) is E, which is very natural for the guitar to play blues from.
Edit: this book is good stuff and it is in the key of A https://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Portnoys-Blues-Harmonica-Masterclass/dp/B00005KJ36
Edit: also check out this site http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/
I second that recommendation of a Special 20. It's one of the two I recommend for beginners (the other being a Lee Oskar Major Diatonic) in my book Harmonica For Dummies.
Most instructional materials are for a C harmonica, but you'll need more keys to play in the keys commonly used in various styles of music. G and D, as already noted for much of Irish music. For American folk (and just generally) you'll want, over time, to acquire the six most common keys: C, A, D, G, F, and Bb. These are the keys that you'll need for most music. You don't need to bust the bank buying them all at once, though. First get your feet wet on the C and develop some basic skills and fluency, then branch out.
For a book with audio, video, and animation, of course, I'd recommend my own book Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition, although it's one among several good books (and many not-so-good ones as well). I do have chapters on traditional dance music (Irish fits broadly into that category) and American folk songs.
If you're looking for a teacher, I teach in person in the San Francisco Bay Area and by Skype/Google Hangouts/Apple FaceTime, or I may be able to recommend someone close to where you're located.
Here's a natural minor in A on Amazon:
A decent chromatic harmonica will run you about $130 for a cheaper one, $200 and up for a nice one. They are also more difficult to play with a much bigger learning curve, though you can play in any key, no re-tuning needed. Anything less than $100 for a chromatic is valveless and probably junk.
I would suggest starting simple to see if it's going to be your thing.
Hmmm. Maybe one of these pipe humming harmonicas from Suzuki would be good. One end of it can be used to get the wah wah (which they incorrectly call "vibrato") effect. I have one and it's pretty cool. So you don't have to do any double hand "fluttering" with it.
Yeah, I got that bit from Gindick's book "Rock 'n' Blues Harmonica" https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Blues-Harmonica-Techniques-Generation/dp/0930948106/ and it really helped me get those 3 draw bends down. I highly recommend this book for beginners and intermediate players, if you're the kind who learns well from books. Yeah it has some hokey or cheesy stuff in it, but for me that was just a reminder to not take shit too seriously.
The syllables you articulate with can really change the sound a lot, and the mouth shape of various vowels can definitely apply to bends.
I just bought a https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002D00Q4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Getting started myself, dunno if it's any good though. Kinda piggy-backing off your thread to see if I made a smart pick..
Some other books that have both sheet music and tabs that I've bought and would recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Blues-Harmonica-Licks-Book/dp/1480312916/
All the above. Train your skills to do all.
Start with a songbook that has both tabs and standard sheet music, and that will help you transition from tab to sheet music.
With study and practice, you'll be able to "sight-read" eventually. That's your goal: to be good enough at sheet music to play an unknown piece with the sheet music alone. This takes years of effort however.
But the stepping stones before full mastery are still useful.
Just remember:
- Every Good Bird Does Fly. (E G B D F: the lines of standard sheet music.)
- FACE (the "spaces" between the lines of standard sheet music)
Going above and below the five bars will continue to follow the above patterns. One line below "E" is "C" (because CE in "FACE"). The line above "F" on the top is "A".
There are an almost infinite number of cheap harmonicas available. I can't say for certain, but my experience with the cheap harmonicas is that bending is more difficult (or in some cases, even impossible!), and overblowing is straight up impossible.
If you're going to be playing songs in 1st position, that's not an issue. You can still learn proper breathing, rhythm, reading some music and so forth with even the cheapest harmonica.
Its the intermediate / advanced techniques that are difficult or even impossible to accomplish on a cheap toy. If you want to be playing 2nd position blues, you probably can't do it on a toy like that one. Or it will be harder to do so at least.
> Also, I would be using youtube videos and such to learn. Is there a better way?
Depends. I'm bad at remembering things from videos, and prefer reading. So I'd personally buy a book. Other people are visual learners, and youtube tutorials have a lot to offer them. This is a question of learning style.
EDIT: You will probably be able to play all of these songs http://www.amazon.com/American-Harmonica-Songbook-Blues-Harp/dp/151193994X
But not anything 'blusy'
On Amazon, I see "Blues Session Steel" and "Blues Session Standard". The "Standard" ones are a bit cheaper.
EDIT: fixed links
I started with children nursery rhymes. I don't know what they sing to children over in Sweden, but in America they sing:
- Old McDonald has a farm
- Skip to My Lou
- Alphabet Song / Twinkle Twinkle little star / Bah Bah Black Sheep
- Oh My Darling Clementine
- Kumbaya (really good with chords! Very natural 1st position tune with chords)
- Rock a bye baby
Just... all of the children songs you can remember. You might be able to recreate them from memory by just messing around with the harmonica!
These songs are typically played from holes 4 through 7 and very easily. They don't go up or down octaves very much, and don't require any advanced techniques. F is... an odd key to buy. But if you find some tabs for these songs you won't have to worry about transcription. Just play 7B 7B 7B and you're good.
Eventually, you'll want to be able to read music so that you can buy Fake Books to learn new songs from. Most seem to be in the key of C
I also was taught in grade school, and remember my first songs on a Trumpet. There are some specifically crafted beginner music like "Hot Cross Buns", "Musical Scale (C D E F G A B C -- C B A G F E D C)" that definitely help a lot.
But the nostalgia of playing the simple songs of my childhood makes it more fun to play "Old McDonald" over the synthetic practice that comes from classroom-based practice.
Paranoid question...is a key of F Major the same as key of F? As in, is this the right harp to get?
Dear thesuperlee!
I read, appreciate the feedback.
I very appreciate your earlier feedback.
My hobby is the making music/noise vlogs. I like to play many instruments (guitar [slide, normal and open tuning, bass guitar, synth and Harmonicas [chromatic, diatonic, tremolo]) Sometimes I haven't got any plan I push on the recorder and playing something. I learnt music and I can read music sheet.
Nowadays if I have time I am learning from this book:
Well, $60 anyway. I just love them and the leather pouch is actually decently protective.
Any guitar tuner app. I like gstrings on Android, for the good visual feedback of where you are relative to the note you're aiming for.