Welcome monkeymonk! I’ve been here for some months and this is a good community.
2 Likes
Hi everyone,
My name is Gerardo, I am 63 years old, and I’m from Italy. I worked as a live pianist for about 30 years in various grand hotels and I’ve been an arranger for several recording projects. In the past, I also taught in primary schools for many years.
I’m very passionate about both music and technology. I’ve been using Logic Studio for a long time, and I’m particularly skilled in its Environment feature, which allows for some extraordinary things that are hard to achieve with other similar programs. I’m also passionate about web-related MIDI technology and have a good knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and PHP, which I use to develop my own web-based musical software.
I first got into the harmonica by chance. A few years ago, I bought one because I wanted to learn the introduction to Billy Joel’s Piano Man. After learning it, I set it aside until 2018, when, during a gig, a client suggested we play together and pulled out his harmonica. I was blown away! I had no idea how much potential this small instrument had. I used to think it was limited to its 20 notes, but that harmonica player performed the bending technique so beautifully. From that moment, I started exploring the amazing world of the diatonic harmonica. I quickly realized that it takes a lot of practice, a solid method, and, most importantly, great teachers like Luke, who I’ve been following for a while. I find his videos very engaging, clear, and, of course, he’s an excellent player as well.
Wishing everyone great music!
7 Likes
Ciao Gerardo
Since you are Italian I’m wondering if you also feel its more like singing than other instruments are? Most of the supplementary sounds are created from your mouth throat tongue not just the harmonica.
Being totally besotted by Italy I can’t resist asking where you are from and your favourite grand hotel?
Toog
3 Likes
Welcome to the Forum, I’m from the UK, but I spent 3 years in Baton Rouge and New Orleans (I WAS there for the blues) my heart goes out to you, I lost several good friends to Katrina. I still miss Louisiana and I always get teary eyed whenever I see Nawlins or Baton Rouge on TV.
2 Likes
Hi Toogdog, Yes, I think it is an instrument absolutely closer to singing for the reasons you mention and, furthermore, it can also be used as a rhythmic basis at the same time. For example, just as a drummer uses both hands, for the harmonica player the blown is equivalent to the right hand and the aspirated to the left hand of a drummer or vice versa 
I can’t tell you which hotels I prefer Since I have spent most of my life as a pianist in many hotels, I have been to a lot I am a native of Pagani, a small town in the province of Salerno near the Amalfi coast but I currently live in central Turin, near Piazza Castello where I have my small recording studio which I also use for my small live events.
Gerardo.
4 Likes
Hello everybody, my name is Logan! I just got my east top harmonica 2 days ago. I wanted to learn how to play harmonica because of two reasons mainly. First, I love the way it sounds, and I like the fact that I can play everything from the blues to western sounding music. Secondly, it’s one of the only instruments I feel I can probably play well. I was born with a muscle wasting disease, so I was never able to hold a guitar or reach all the pieces of a drum set. But I’ve been practicing my breathing and have really tried to get good at breath control so that way I can belt it out on the harmonica! The first two songs I want to learn to play are “broken window serenade” and “what the rocks don’t know”. (I know it’ll be extra hard to start with these, but I love the challenge)
3 Likes
@Jesse from Topeka welcome my friend! So glad to have you here, and look forward to hearing about your journey!!
@monkeymonk you’re just a spring chicken around these parts my friend! 
I love the Melody Maker tuning too. It works really well on I-ii chord jams (like G-Am) like Tenessee Whiskey, and there’s lots of reggae tunes like that, so being in Hawaii, the Melody Maker tuning is verrrrrry useful!
@Gerrix wow! Welcome to you all the way from Italy. What a blessing. I’m certified in Logic Pro X, and while I can’t say I love ALL technology, I do love MUSIC technology, lol. Though, I must confess, I never use the environment feature, except for rare occasions in which I follow the advice of some smart person like you on YouTube! 
So glad you got turned on to all the harmonica has to offer, and are continuing to pursue it!!! 
2 Likes
Thank you so much luke! So glad to be here. Loving the lessons so far. I cant wait to be a boss!!! I truly enjoy your teaching style and feel great about the program! On a side note you got me ordering Vinyl from Gary clark Jr!! I cant wait to see what other artists i may learn about further along!
Jesse
2 Likes
@Jesse Vinyl? My man!!! 
Everything sounds sweeter on vinyl.
1 Like
Heck yea! Lots of Jeff Healy and Stevie Ray on my turntable. Looking forward to getting some of Gary’s stuff now too. Love his sound, its going to sound great on vinyl for sure! I have a feeling im going to be learning about a lot of other good performers out there with you guys. I was never around a lot of people into the blues sadly, so im hoping to break into that scene more as i spunge up new artists and learn the harmonica. Im already peeping at the blues class once im through the beginner to boss class for sure! Your other teacher seems great as well. I just stumbled across your youtube videos and it set the hook in me to get started!! Glad to be with you guys!
2 Likes
If you want to learn the blues you need to go to the roots. The modern stuff is OK but a bit overplayed for harmonica. Good luck
1 Like
Howdy
I have played trumpet/cornet as a hobby for about 50 years, however, I have Essential Tremor which has made it impossible for me to play anymore. Over the years I have tinkered with other instruments, including harmonicas —several diatonics and even a Hohrner Chromonica Deluxe II I bought in Germany in 1970. The chromatic needs a lot of work to get it in good shape. I have had it dismantled a few times, however, I am not good with my hand due to the tremors.
I have been missing the ability to play music for some time now and have spent many hours watching various harmonica videos. It is time to get more serious about this, thus, I am doing more in-depth research. I think a chromatic would be a good choice, since it might be more like playing my horn and because I want to play tunes, such as Southern Gospel music. I used to play in church and because I have played a lot of vintage styles of jazz by ear and by music, I just needed to get the key and some familiarity with the tune and I can make up some accompaniment.
I expect that there will need to be a lot of practice exercises. I am used to this from studying trumpet.
I need to get started and should probably get a decent instrument and a place to begin getting some instruction. I have always recommenced to beginners to get something that is not so cheap that you have to fight it to learn to play. I also like a warm sound and figure I should get something that is easy to maintain, since dismantling it will be a task and a half for my shaky hands. Is there something that is melodic and warm sounding? Would I be making a mistake if I opt for a 64 hole?
I have a strong feeling that this is the way for me to go, however, I realize that it is a major undertaking of an instrument that is underrated as a serious complex instrument. I heard Howard Levy say that it is the only instrument that it’s invisible while being played. It occurred to me that this is also part of what makes it a very intimate instrument to play—like kissing, I suppose.
Sorry for being a bit lengthy here. I’m sure much of this needs to be separated into several posts. I am hoping to get, not only good advice, but also some direction as to how to how to get the advice here in the forums.
Thank you for helping me to get started on a new journey.
6 Likes
Hi Bob, I’m a chromatic part-time session player with a recording studio but I’m a full-time lawyer and at present away working on the day job. When I get back, possibly mid-November, I’ll try to respond in more detail but at present can only suggest you look at some of my past posts and those of others by using the search at the top for chromatic (search looks like a magnifying glass Q) . Jay1
2 Likes
@Andy2 Andy, One of my cases finished so out of court a bit early 
Start another tomorrow 
From your recent experience and knowing that @Bob.G needs something ‘that is easy to maintain, since dismantling it will be a task and a half for my shaky hands’ do you think a Forerunner 1 could suit Bob.G? I just wash my Forerunners under running warm tap water but I did some work on them to start with. I don’t know of any valveless 16/64s and valved chroms need fairly regular stripping for cleaning. What’s your and possibly other chrom players’ thoughts? Jay1
2 Likes
Well, I’ve been making progress on my C forerunner now, I haven’t took it apart, as it looks a bit complex and I don’t want to ruin it. That being said I’m not struggling to play it getting used to regulating my breath more in order to play it. Tongue blocking was awkward at first but now it’s getting easier. So yes maybe a Forerunner might be a good Idea then if he wants to get something more expensive he can give a go
1 Like
@Bob.G @Andy, Andy thanks for your view, I’m working in the Middle East for probable the next couple of weeks so can you and any other chromatic players help Bob.G with his problem? I think your experience might help. As a side note, met a local Arab court official who plays a 24 hole chrom but each hole only plays either blow or draw note, not both so hole 1 is a draw note, hole two is a blow, weird and the slide in notes are in the same set=up, I’ve got to try and get one but we’re going fishing together at the weekend so harmonica jam on a a dhow, should be interesting 
Jay1
2 Likes
@Bob.G @Andy2 Ah! Friday, it’s the start of the weekend out here so going fishing and having a harmonica jam session out on the water this afternoon. Bob.G Have a look at the East:Top Forerunner a Forerunner 1 in the key of C will give you an inexpensive, well built valveless chromatic. @Andy2 has been working with one and you can see his comments. I use a Forerunner 1 in C and Forerunner 2s in other keys and really don’t see that much difference except for the price Amazon.co.uk. The advert says ‘students’ but I have been using Forerunners in the recording studio for years. Biggest advantage of valveless for you is that you don’t need to strip it to clean it, just wash it under a tap and after shaking it leave it to dry by half opening the slide and keeping it half open with a matchstick. A valveless chromatic will cause you a lot fewer problems. You said ’ I have always recommenced to beginners to get something that is not so cheap that you have to fight it to learn to play.’ Do a bit of research and see what others think of them and how a Forerunner may fit your purpose. Where I’m working from 4th to 11th there will be no Internet available but there are plenty forum members who will give you any help and encouragement you may need. Jay1
PS Just for the avoidance of doubt, I have no connections or financial interests with East:Top other than playing their products, Jay1
2 Likes
Hi Luke. I’m David from Hong Kong. I am already an avid follower of your lessons and positivity. I did start with another online course: very professional and the teachers are superb, but I personally found the lessons too stale and not very inspiring. Harmonica.com is my new harmonica home and I look forward to learning every single day. Thank you for providing this🙏 It’s clear you have put a lot of hard work, creativity and time into creating this wonderful platform and I will definitely recommend to others who are looking to learn and explore the world of the harmonica. - David
4 Likes
Greetings: I’m from the Mendocino Coast of California, USA. I studied formally on the piano from childhood until I graduated High School. I bought my first harmonica in 1968 and it was a Hohner model.270. I was in the Air Force and it was easier to carry than a piano. I chose a chromatic because I believed the learning curve would be shorter. Started playing scales and then whatever I wanted. I love the chromatic because I can read sheet music and play. So many, many years later I’ve accumulated a few various harmonicas. I’ve stuck with Hohner. I still carry a 270 with me most places though now I have a couple of 280s I like to use.
4 Likes
I have heard that American air force officers frown on your taking a piano on board a plane.
2 Likes