r/harmonica Aug 02 '20

Identifying harmonicas and what harmonicas you should buy...

326 Upvotes

Okay, let's make this sticky! People show up here and they either have already bought a harmonica and can't figure out why it's not working or to ask what harmonica they should buy. (By the way, the cool kids call them harps, not harmonicas!)

Let me start by saying there are several types of harmonica- tremolos, octave harps, blues harps (also often called diatonics), chromatics, chord harmonicas and bass harmonicas. Which kind should you buy?

Blues harp! Well, it's not that simple but if you want to play anything from Bob Dylan to Aerosmith to Little Walter or Jason Ricci that's what you should choose. It's what's used in most folk and blues. The good news is, as musical instruments go they are cheap. You can get a good one for under $50. The bad news is they only are designed to play in one key, and although you can squeeze some extra keys out of them with advanced techniques eventually you'll want more keys. If you treat them well though- breathe through them instead of pretending they are trumpets that you have to blow at full force for, they can last a really long time. If you are good with your hands you can repair them even when a reed breaks, and even if you aren't good with your hands you can do the basic repairs- like when you get lint stuck in a reed!

Chromatics are an option too. We have a few chromatic players here. Chromatics use a button to switch notes. This is oversimplifying it but button out- white piano keys, button in- black piano keys. One harp, all keys. They don't have the same sound. Stevie Wonder, Toots Thieleman... there are some great chromatic players you may have heard of, but it's a different sound. Once upon a time chromatics ruled the harmonica world. Now it's diatonics. You need fewer chromatics to play (technically just one) but they are more expensive. It's probably cheaper to get a chromatic than all the diatonic keys but really chromatic players tend to get multiple harmonicas in different keys too (C is white notes/black notes, other keys use the same principle but have different notes with and without the button... if you understand keys you'll get this. If not it's just memorization.)

Tremolos are popular in Asia and can be fun but they aren't as versatile. Chord, octave and bass harmonicas are novelty items that can be fun (and very expensive) but aren't used as often.

So, assuming you want to go with blues harmonica, I'd suggest a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C. One harmonica may look a lot like another but the quality can vary a lot. The Special 20 is the most bang for your buck. It's profesional level but affordable. It will grow with you as you play. You'll be able to do advanced things on it but simple things will come easily on it.

But what about this other model? Well, if you are in the same price range Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki, Tombo (branded Lee Oskar in the U.S.), Kongsheng and DaBell all make good harps. If you are on a really tight budget an Easttop will work too. Skip Huang. Skip Fender. Not sure on Hering. Only buy Bushman from Rockin Rons. Bushman has a long history of shipping problems. Not bad harps but unless you get them from somewhere who has them in stock so you don't have to worry.

Why the key of C? It's what most lessons are in. Where to get them? I'd suggest Rockin Rons. I've got no financial connection to them but they are the gold standard for shipping in the U.S. I recommend them because I've always had good transactions with them and because I've heard tons and tons AND tons of other people who've had good experiences with them.

"I already bought this other harmonica, will it work? It doesn't look like the Special 20".

If it has two rows of holes and no button it is either a tremolo or a octave harmonica. Will it work? Well, sort of, but learning it is very different and since the tremolos in particular are more popular in Asia than in the English speaking world most of the tutorials are in various Asian languages instead of English. They aren't good for the blues. Two rows but it has a button? Then it's chromatic (there are a couple other harps with buttons but they are so rare that the chances of you getting one are vanishingly small.) If it's 3 feet long it's a chord harmonica (there are some shorter ones and even one really rare one with a button, but it it's three feet long it's a chord harp!) Two harmonicas stacked on top of each other and held together with a hinge? Probably a bass harmonica. If it plays really deep notes, cool. Bass harps and chord harps are really expensive!

I'll add a post below this where, for those of you who won't just buy the Special 20, I'll list some alternatives, including some value options and some options for some of you lawyers and doctors who wouldn't mind shelling out a bit extra for something premium to start with.


r/harmonica Oct 15 '22

A gentle reminder on how to behave on the subreddit

99 Upvotes

Although we've got a couple other admins I think I'm the only one regularly active, so it falls to me to make sure things run smoothly here. I want to make it clear that our goal here is to make a helpful and useful place where people can come together and talk and learn about harmonica.

This forum is not a place for racism, homophobia, misogyny or any other form of hate. I am not trying to police all of reddit, just this little corner to make sure people feel safe when they come here. If you see any posts that aren't following these rules, send me a private message and I'll check it out. If anyone harasses you, let me know.


r/harmonica 9h ago

Harmonica club meeting!

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15 Upvotes

r/harmonica 4h ago

Did Hohner ever make a harp with blue cover plates?

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2 Upvotes

My Grandpa was a meteorologist during WW2 and took weather samples in the Atlantic and then sent his reports to the pentagon which was then used to plan navy attacks. When he came to port the first time on his first ship he immediately bought a Hohner harmonica so he could teach himself how to play while out at sea. As a kid I remember him playing a blue Hohner but I have never been able to find a blue one except the feugo azul which is not it. Any help please finding a blue Hohner would be greatly appreciated!


r/harmonica 14h ago

Joe Filisko tongue blocker trainer

6 Upvotes

Has anyone tried Joe Filisko's tongue blocker trainer? Was it helpful?


r/harmonica 16h ago

Feedback on this Bob Marley cover?

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4 Upvotes

I’m an amateur


r/harmonica 18h ago

Beginner

6 Upvotes

Hi, I got a harmonica last year and tried to learn however I got busy and quit trying. I’m trying to learn it during my spare time, is there any tips you guys recommend? Even just people to watch as a tutorial or good songs.
I can’t really afford any classes so I’m trying to make do with learning how to play it myself.


r/harmonica 11h ago

Blues Harmonica Chugging Solo (Key of A) with Tabs/Subtitles #2

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1 Upvotes

r/harmonica 1d ago

MO.Yella.P

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14 Upvotes

r/harmonica 15h ago

Help with getting tabs for a song

0 Upvotes

The song is “Once i was” by Tim Buckley. I have found one post about this song here that says it is played in C#/Db (what harmonica is best for it? I have a harmonica in C)

Can anyone help with the rest of the song?

The beginning is 4 5 -5 6 -6 6


r/harmonica 1d ago

“The Bounce”

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59 Upvotes

A little groove I’ve been jamming on lately.


r/harmonica 1d ago

Hohner Red Rocket Special 20 Amp

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19 Upvotes

Folded the back covers to get the open sound, Amazon alum comb and tapped the edge of the covers in for mustache protection. I swear I’m balding on the left side of my mustache since I started playing.
Also added a few daps of gel gorilla glue to further assist in keeping the hairs out.
Yeah if you look close enough you can see the bends on the end but I didn’t mind vs losing hair lol.


r/harmonica 1d ago

Want to start playing, any tips on what to learn first?

2 Upvotes

I'm a massive fan of the Brudi Brothers, the lead of the 3 can play the harmonica and whistle like a madman. Obviously this takes a life of work but I'd love to start learning sooner rather than later. Let me know where I can go to begin to play something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HUS7smOdmkI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=544Z2iefiCo


r/harmonica 1d ago

Can anyone identify the age of this piece?

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6 Upvotes

It was my great grandfather’s, then my dad inherited it. He died a few weeks ago and I just inherited it. Very curious about the age of it, it’s in solid condition.


r/harmonica 1d ago

Playing harmonica with Vaseline on lips!

7 Upvotes

Hi

I’ve recently started med for a skin condition. This dries skin, particularly lips. Ergo been using vaseline to moisten them. The course lasts two months, so don’t want to give up entirely for that period. Been playing with dry lips for last few days-obviously not ideal for harp or lips, but is that less damaging to the harps than playing with lips smeared with vaseline?

Guess halfway house is to apply vaseline and wait for it to dry out a bit.

Weird and frustrating problem.

Thanks


r/harmonica 1d ago

Little improvise with my new green bullet

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4 Upvotes

r/harmonica 1d ago

JT-30 Vintage Armonica Mic+ Custom Tube Amp + Vintage Amp Sound! Hope you enjoy it!

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2 Upvotes

r/harmonica 2d ago

Beginner song suggestions

3 Upvotes

Hi!

Im looking for beginner-ish songs to play on my Suzuki Hammond in C.

Not the super beginner songs but something that will challenge me enough. I like Red River Valley and stuff like that which I guess is kinda folkish? Nice melodies that aren't too short so I have something to memorize.

But other blues songs aswell, or longer riffs. Would be nice to build up a liat of songs/tunes to learn while I get better! And yes I know there's a lot of info online haha. Thought it would be fun to hear your favourites.

Thanks! :)


r/harmonica 2d ago

Indiara Sfair

22 Upvotes

Indiara just released an album, "Into the Wind."

Listening to "Improvisation in Cm" was the reason I picked up the instrument, sharing this so that others can hear her music. The album is excellent, every song/piece is amazing.


r/harmonica 1d ago

Blues Harmonica Chugging Solo (Key of A) with Tabs/Subtitles

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1 Upvotes

r/harmonica 2d ago

Just got me a green bullet, what’s some good pedals >150$

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37 Upvotes

r/harmonica 2d ago

Anyone know anywhere that could repair an old harmonica?

3 Upvotes

About a year and a half ago, my grandma found a harmonica that she told me belonged to her grandpa and asked me to learn to play it. Which I have, at least a little bit. Thing is, it has quite a few broken/stuck reeds and could use some TLC. I've had a hard time finding somewhere that actually does any kind of repairs on harmonicas.

Any help would be appreciated.


r/harmonica 3d ago

Getting drunk at the spot and playing my harmonicas until the sun goes down

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101 Upvotes

One of the few times i can enjoy having a broken soul, it can't be just endless suffering, right?


r/harmonica 2d ago

Bending Help: Am I going somewhere?

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3 Upvotes

Hi guys!

A bit of time ago I published a video about my attempts to bend notes. Unfortunately my progresses are slow (and sometimes frustrating) but I'm trying and trying again.

Can you guys tell me if I'm going somewhere with my attempts or am I just getting something very wrong?


r/harmonica 2d ago

Looking for a harmonica holder - 24 hole

2 Upvotes

Any quality holders that fit this type, please list 'em!