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Harmonica recommendations

post #1 of 16
8/25/08 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going to purchase a harmonica soon. I'm not sure which key to get; it's between D and C for me right now. Is Hohner a good "starter" brand? I'm familiar with some of the more expensive harmonicas but not so good with beginner harps. I may just get a Marine Band.
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post #2 of 16
8/25/08 at 7:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
I'm going to purchase a harmonica soon. I'm not sure which key to get; it's between D and C for me right now.

Is Hohner a good "starter" brand? I'm familiar with some of the more expensive harmonicas but not so good with beginner harps.

I may just get a Marine Band.

Hohner Special 20 in C is often recommended for beginners. I picked one up and enjoy it.
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post #3 of 16
8/25/08 at 7:19pm
Hohner USA is a good one. As are Lee Oskar and Huang. Hohner in C is what I started with, and it was good enough for me.


Edit: ^^^ I guess Hohner in C must be pretty good .
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post #4 of 16
8/25/08 at 7:38pm
I like my Lee Oskar major diatonic in C. A musician I met who owns over 30 harps told me he likes the tones of some of the Hohners a bit better, but the Lee Oskars seem to stay in tune a lot longer, so he preffers them. Do you guys have any good resources for learning the harmonica, other than youtube? I've got a decent handle on it (bends, shuffles, tongue blocking, etc.), but would like to learn more songs, and some improvisation techniques/riffs. If you guys ever get a chance to play a hohner XB-40, try it. I wouldn't want it as my primary harp, but its fun to fool around with. Bends are ridiculously easy on that thing.
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post #5 of 16
8/25/08 at 7:38pm
I am not an harmonica expert and it has been years since I was modestly proficient on them. What I found was you'd end up getting a new harmonica on a regular basis as you learn new songs, if you want to ever play alone with peeps. Just pop the $200 or so and get a chromatic.
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post #6 of 16
8/25/08 at 11:39pm
Depends on what you want to use it for.

99% of the greatest blues harmonica ever played was played on a Hohner Marine Band or Hohner Blues Harp. No need for a fancy, expensive chromatic if you're planning on playing the Blues.
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post #7 of 16
8/26/08 at 2:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kai View Post
Depends on what you want to use it for.

99% of the greatest blues harmonica ever played was played on a Hohner Marine Band or Hohner Blues Harp. No need for a fancy, expensive chromatic if you're planning on playing the Blues.

Unless you want to play in more than one key owning only one harp. Look at John Popper with the bandolier of harps. Gets the job done well, but not everyone is into that look
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post #8 of 16
8/26/08 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Should I go for C or D? I'll (initially at least) be trying to play solo blues.
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post #9 of 16
8/26/08 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Should I go for C or D? I'll (initially at least) be trying to play solo blues.

I would go C or G personally. D and/or A can wait for your next round of harp purchases.
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post #10 of 16
8/26/08 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Should I go for C or D? I'll (initially at least) be trying to play solo blues.
Most people get a C harmonica at first. However, if you progress along and want to jam with other people, you'll need to get at least a C, G , D and A. Regarding the different brands of harps, Hohner is the Classic. The Hohner Marine Band was the first, and most of the vintage recordings were made on this instrument. It has a body made of wood. This is the traditional, old-school harp. Other variations include Hohner Blues Harp (w/wooden body--has modified reeds make bending notes easier for some people) Hohner Special 20 (modern update of the Marine Band with a plastic body--considered slightly more consistent and durable--also has a slightly louder and "harder" sound. Huangs are OK, you can get lot of hamonica for the $$. They all have a plastic body.Some players prefer them over Hohner. Lee Oskar is worth considering, too. They strive to make a more consistent and in-tune harmonica. They are slightly more expensive. I would start with a diatonic harmonica first. When you become proficient you could consider a chromatic, which is more expensive and difficult to play. Good luck!
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post #11 of 16
3/15/10 at 12:24am
Thread Starter 
Well, I finally got around to buying a harp. Lee Oskar Major in C.
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post #12 of 16
3/15/10 at 1:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Well, I finally got around to buying a harp. Lee Oskar Major in C.

Start a video blog in DT's.
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post #13 of 16
3/15/10 at 1:30am
I think it would be fun to name some blues songs Conne could play:

Postmarked Allowance Check Blues
Bea Arthur Obituary Blues
SerBeast Blue Balls Blues
&c. &c. &c.
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post #14 of 16
3/15/10 at 1:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Well, I finally got around to buying a harp. Lee Oskar Major in C.

Good move dude, this should def help u get laid.

dl
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post #15 of 16
3/15/10 at 1:40am
The Nobody-Takes-Me-Seriously-As-A-Bluesman Blues
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