Patrick here from Halifax Nova Scotia.
I’m 62 and have been a complete amateur since the age of 7.
I’m really comfortable accompanying myself while playing guitar and enjoy substituting harp for vocals on tunes out of my limited vocal range.
I feel I have much to learn about basic harp lingo but expect that I can be a quick study - just haven’t familiarized myself with the lingo because i’m just playing around by myself 99% of the time.
Happy to discover this forum and, to kick things off I’m trying to get good intel on purchasing a full set of harps - I’ve almost exclusively played Hohner harps but simply because they’re what I know.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Patrick62 – Welcome!
If you do some reading of forum discussions about recommendations on the “best harp” you’ll find out harmonica players are like attorneys – ask 3 of them for an opinion and you’ll get 4 answers. And there are constant new contenders and improvement of existing models.
I played almost nothing but Hohners for over 40 years, Seydels for 3, Bends for another 2. At each juncture, they were the right harp. Since about 2012-13, my case of 19 are Suzuki Manjis. But over time, each has been custom tuned and the stock comb replaced with an Andrew Zajac comb.
Everybody has favourites and some of these players try out heaps of different models. Lots of thoughtful, reasoned opinions to consider. But it’s very personal so you may need to test drive a few before you get “a set” of one make/model. Recommend you decide on a few suggested models and try them out – key of A from company #1, Bb from company #2, key of C, etc. Maybe 2-3 from one company but different models. So 8 different make/models may become your “set”. Get one at a time and play it for a while. By the 3rd or 4th you may decide “This is the one!” Only you will know what’s the best for your playing. Good luck.
@BnTplayers are like attorneys – ask 3 of them for an opinion and you’ll get 4 answers. As an attorney and harmonica player that comment is wrong. Ask 3 harmonica players you may get 4 answers but ask 3 attorneys you’ll get 6 bills but the final answers will all be the same ‘well maybe’. otherwise totally agree Jay1
I’ve been lurking for awhile here; might as well introduce myself.
My name’s Charlie. I am 73, retired and live alone. I used to play guitar but there are limits to what I can still do because of hand tremors. I decided to take up harmonica to have a melodic instrument to improvise on during those long lonesome nights.
I was very inspired by a video I saw on youtube of the celtic harpist Donald Black, and that motivated me to work very hard on clean single notes with a clear, rich and singing tone.
I am also very impressed by the Brasilian Indiara Sfair, since her playing is so lyrical.
Currently I am working mostly on getting clean single notes, and also mastering the low end bend notes - I am just getting to the point I can play an ascending and descending major scale on the lower register.
Hi, Welcome.
Sounds like you are on the right track. If you know how to play single clear notes you can do anything. Scales give your improvisation much more scope because your brain knows whats going to sound ok and whats not. Hand tremors are handy, ha ha, with harmonica you just say you meant to do it, it’s vibrato!
Happy harping. Lots of friendly helpful stuff here. Where in the world are you? Great name.
Hello all, new member here. I’m a middle-aged, novice harmonica player out of Ohio, USA. I really like Hohners, mostly because of the company’s history. I have a Crossover in C and a Echo tremolo 54/64 in C/G. Prefer melodies and folk style of play, as opposed to blues. Currently trying to break my habit of U-blocking and perfect the lip-puckering technique for single notes.
Don’t forget the provolone and broccoli rabe on your roast pork sandwiches.
Thanks. I have a hohner 20. I promised myself to buy a larger one if i get better. This one leaves little room for a proper hold and a good mouth position, in my opinion.
Hi everyone. I"m David, from Scotland. Father of one, i’ve just turned 49 at the end of January, and about to start my Harmonica journey! Looking forward to learning something new.
Welcome to the forum David, you’ll find a lot of help here. it’s worth clicking on the magnifying glass icon top right to have a look at the range of subjects. Jay1
Hi I’m Dennis recently retired and at the age of 65.5 got a Lee Oskar harmonica and I’m starting to learn, no musical knowledge or background but it’s a steep learning curve and I have time to learn. Live in the north of the UK.
Congratulations on your progress! Rock on! 