The Song Fight Bulletin Board

I looked for a thread, but couldn't find one... So does anyone know anything about Harmonica?
I want to learn and am not entirely sure where to begin. I gather you need one for each key you're going to play in. I also know you can get larger ones with a button that does 'something'...
Any ideas as to where I should start?

Thanks.

There are two main types of harmonica: Diatonic (or what's often called "blues harp"), and Chromatic. (Here's a quick reference: http://www.harmonicastore.com/harm_info.shtml )

Chromatic harmonicas have the button on the side (as referenced on the above link, it switches the notes a half-step sharp or flat. Here's much more info: http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/chrom.html ) While these harmonicas come in different keys, each one can play all 12 notes in the chromatic scale. (i.e. all the white and black keys on a piano.)

Diatonic harps have no button, and can only play the notes in a major scale. (So in the key of C, just the white piano keys.) Despite that, these harps are much more common in popular music, and for a beginner, a good deal easier to learn. As you mentioned, though, you need to have a diatonic harmonica for each key in which you want to play. (In case the reason itsn't obvious, imagine having to play a song in D# with only the notes in a C major scale.) Accordingly, there are 12 differently-keyed diatonic harps, one for each note in the chromatic scale.

Owning all twelve is called having a "full set of harps," and while it's comforting for a harp player to know he can handle any key that's thrown at him, in reality most of the harmonicas are never used. As you probably know, some keys are much more common than others in pop music. Especially if you're playing folky stuff, you might never stray from G, C, and D. The only harmonica player I know with a full set hasn't played his G#-harp since he got it, but he's worn out 3 G-harps in that time.


I recommend buying harmonicas in this order, one at a time:
G A C D E B F

(Though I only have the first 5, and I've literally never met a song I couldn't play. Worst case, I move the capo up or down a fret. And you'll probably never need the 5 "sharp" harps. Buy an extra capo instead.)

The G-harp is best for beginners. The reeds are longer, so it's easier to get a good tone, and since G is such a common key, you'll have lots of stuff to practice with. (Many web pages suggest starting with a C-harp. The C major scale is good for beginners on piano, but the shorter reeds in this harmonica make it tough for beginners to get clean tones.)

Here's a page with some tips on playing technique to get you started: http://www.ehow.com/how_5946_started-di ... onica.html


Finally, a quick note about manufacturers: I used to play Hohner harmonicas, but they need a lot of love. The reeds get gummed up pretty quickly, and can be damaged with aggressive playing. So I recommend spending the few extra dollars and buying Lee Oskars. Mine basically never need cleaning. (And it's probably obvious, but don't buy used harmonicas.)

There's not much to it really - just blow in the bastard

That's an awesome overview, Deshead. I'm surprised at the B harp on the short list of buys.

roymond wrote:That's an awesome overview, Deshead.

Seconded. I'd only add that there are two distinctly different ways of playing the harp: straight or "backwards".

Consider the C-harp:

Playing it straight, you've got a C major scale which will work for traditional or "clean" songs. Think that guy who sometimes plays with Sting, or "O Susanna". Blowing a bunch of holes gives you the tonic/I chord (C). Drawing a bunch of holes kinda-sorta gives you the dominant/V chord (G).

Play it backwards and the notes of the C major scale become the notes of the G mixolydian scale (like a major scale but with a flat seventh) which you would use in blues and a lot of rock. So you use a C-harp to play in the key of G and draw a bunch of holes for your tonic/I (G) and blow a bunch of holes for your sub-dominant/IV chord (C). You'll probably want to learn to bend notes if playing this way which is also easier with a longer-reeded instrument.

Damn, that came out sounding a lot more theory-headish than I intended. I should have just said, "Note that the key of the harp won't always align with the key of the song. For example, I play a D-harp on my 'Tank Top' although the song's in A." Or I should have just kept my mouth shut.

No, totally clear and well stated.

So, concerning long-reeded harps: are there special harps that are an octave lower, or are all C harps shorter than Gs, etc.?

Oh my, a technical discussion on harps. Sweet.

Backwards can also be referred to as "cross harp" which basically is, C harp plays in key of G, D harp in A, E harp in B, &c., &c. Can't explain how. Or why. Only on second cuppa. Brain sluggish.

On models, IMO & experience:
Hohner Blues Harp, while it's got freakin' blues in the name, isn't the most user friendly harp I've come across. Harder to get a good "seal" between your lips and the harp at the low and high extremes, especially if you're using a mike and trying to do the whole hand thing too.
Used on: Rabid Garfunkel's "Moscow, ID" coverfight 2004

Lee Oskar (Major Diatonic), this guy's gear is crazy good. Decently mouth comfortable across the board, enough play in the reeds for rewarding bending, sorta, you've still got to put some work in. Comes in many different keys *and* tunings. Crazy cool. He was the guy who did the harping in "Low Rider" by War (?). Yeah, that riff's a harmonica.
Used on: Primitive Screwheads' "Gin or Ginseng", Primitive Screwheads' "Stranded" Gift of Music 2004

Hohner Special 20 Marine Band, you want this harp, especially if you're starting out. Easy reeds for the bending and overblowing (which is just like the word sounds, actually). Good seal, lip feel, all the way across the board. This is a rewarding harp, and yet...
Used on: none (heh, that's the problem with buying keys of harps that you don't play music in, they just sit and pout at you).

Hohner Pro Harp, now this is one dirty bird. Screams like an angel falling down down down to hell. That said, if you don't have woodwind or brass playing experience, or you're not vaguely athletic and have lung capacity, this harp will have you hyperventilating and on the floor in seconds. It needs a *lot* of air. But it's oh so sweet.
Used on: Rabid Garfunkel's "Feet" (with a hint of delay).

There's a piece of shareware called MelodyAssistant, mentioned it in the other harp thread (along with a link), that'll take straight notation or MIDI data and translate it into harp TAB. Handy. Though nothing really beats just wailing on the thing whenever you get the urge.

If you decide to get an instructional-type book, be sure to choose one with a CD (or a website with audio samples). It helps insanely much.

One well-placed grenade ....

j$

j$ wrote:One well-placed grenade ....

Y'know, I was waiting for that. Heh.

roymond wrote:are there special harps that are an octave lower, or are all C harps shorter than Gs, etc.?

Ignoring F#, the low/long-reed end of the scale is usually G and the high/short-reed end of the scale is F. Depending on the model, you can sometimes get a "low F" harp, a "high G" harp and maybe some others.

now i'm gonna have to use my harmonica on the next db&ti song
actually, what i need is some instruction on how to actually play the thing, musically, i mean. anybody know of a good web-intro?
-bill

HeuristicsInc wrote:now i'm gonna have to use my harmonica on the next db&ti song
actually, what i need is some instruction on how to actually play the thing, musically, i mean. anybody know of a good web-intro?
-bill

http://www.bluesharp.ca/lessons/harmonica_lessons.html might get you somewhere. Can't find the bloody bookmark for the harp page I found insanely useful, tho. Blues oriented, but the basics is all there.

Poor poor johnny. Heh.

Thanks Y'all.
You've answered more questions than I thought I had. So one final one. The first song I want to play harp on is in C, so I should get a get a Lee Oskar Diatonic C major... Yes?

Cheers

Yep!

So I trundled off and bought my harp, and very lovely she is too.
However this Harmonica playing lark is NOT as easy as I thought it would be... Much like golf, pool and base jumping.

Thanks again for the advice.

"Harmonica is ... people!"

Hohner blues harp - A. That's all you need. Pull, and bend the fuck out of the pitch.

The Sober Irishman wrote:Hohner blues harp - A. That's all you need. Pull, and bend the fuck out of the pitch.

Ah. Just a little late. I've opted for the kazoo approach, with 'learning the harp' as a project for less stressed times.

With all the great advice offered Caravan Ray's was the most... Apt.
'just blow in the bastard.' Peachy!

Kamakura wrote:

The Sober Irishman wrote:Hohner blues harp - A. That's all you need. Pull, and bend the fuck out of the pitch.

Ah. Just a little late. I've opted for the kazoo approach, with 'learning the harp' as a project for less stressed times.

With all the great advice offered Caravan Ray's was the most... Apt.
'just blow in the bastard.' Peachy!

Don't forget sucking. In my experience, most harmonica players are better versed at sucking than blowing.

Ha, good one Dan-O.

Anyone here using a chromatic harp? Looking at getting one eventually and wanted to know if anyone had any experience with them.

this may or may not help... but I actually picked up a harmonica w/ a teaching guide for $5 at my local Target in the clearance section... YMMV!

ujnhunter wrote:this may or may not help... but I actually picked up a harmonica w/ a teaching guide for $5 at my local Target in the clearance section... YMMV!

You're posting in a thread that's nearly 3 years old. I'm guessing that if he was serious about learning it, he's probably learnt it by now...