r/harmonica • u/consdrd563 • 10h ago
My first decent Harmonica
Here starts my learning to play the Harmonica adventure.
What websites or YouTube accounts do you recommend me to start learning?
Cheers!
r/harmonica • u/Nacoran • Aug 02 '20
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 • u/Nacoran • Oct 15 '22
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 • u/consdrd563 • 10h ago
Here starts my learning to play the Harmonica adventure.
What websites or YouTube accounts do you recommend me to start learning?
Cheers!
r/harmonica • u/Long-Bicycle-8198 • 37m ago
Hello, I’m a small channel, could you show some support. Here’s my channel: https://youtube.com/@gavinfox-l2r?si=K8BDKKWQ3VSauddZ
r/harmonica • u/robharmonica • 15h ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
r/harmonica • u/lerukatu • 1h ago
Hello! I'm practicing harmonica and i'm thinking my harmonica(special 20) almost died.
So i want to have new harmonica easily play overbending like special 20, my old harmonica.
Can you recommend some harmonica for me?
r/harmonica • u/klulASER • 10h ago
After using hohners beatles harp i moved to rocket amp and im impressed how good it sounds and how easy to play that.
r/harmonica • u/bradalf1 • 11h ago
r/harmonica • u/Hunteriscoming • 8h ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
r/harmonica • u/Mysterious-Winter600 • 14h ago
Hi,
I have come to prefer harmonicas with recessed reed plates, which typically equals plastic combs (to keep cost reasonable). For sound, playability, and comfort, the Hohner Rocket is my current favorite.
I’ve been interested in trying soap bar style covers, and have tried JDR and Seydel, but they both have tall covers which I don’t like.
That brings me to the Kongsheng Mars. It looks like a viable option, and the pictures make it seem like the cover height is more like Hohner than Seydel. Can anyone comment on the cover height on the Mars? Are they “tall” like a Seydel?
r/harmonica • u/Mastery12 • 1d ago
I previously asked you guys to recommend high-end harmonicas, and many of you recommended customized harmonica providers. In what ways are they enhancing the harmonica or making it better to play compared to out of the box? What have you specifically gotten your harmonica to be configured and how did that improve your plane to the way you want it?
r/harmonica • u/BlueFalconRCandMedia • 1d ago
Long form videos get no love lol.
Here's The Blue Falcon wailing on a harp, also played drums and some bass on this one. Ai tag for the art.
r/harmonica • u/TapiocaTuesday • 1d ago
I've noticed that after playing the harmonica, my speaking voice immediately sounds more resonant, smooth, and maybe deeper. It's very noticeable to me. Singing, too, sounds and feels better to me.
Is this a thing? And why?
r/harmonica • u/Ruminatingdeeply • 1d ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
The low one is a LO f# low. Then a LO F#. Then a suzuki olive. Im not an editor so you can skip the first 10 or so seconds. The song is Balm in Gilead sung by Nina Simone
r/harmonica • u/consdrd563 • 1d ago
Hi everyone, I'm just and old man in my 40s that always liked harmonicas, but never had the time to learn any music.
A friend gifted me this one, but I believe it's an aliexpress low quality Harmonica.
Should I get a special 20 better to start? They're like 30€ over here, or would you recommend something else at that price range?
Edit: any good YouTube accounts and/or websites to learn? Thanks!
r/harmonica • u/Loremasterivyvine • 2d ago
I recently picked up my harmonica again after years of neglect. After cracking my marine band 1896 open 1 too many times my beloved harp started to struggle, it wasn't aittight anymore and was missing 1/4 of the screws (those shits are the size of rice grains)
I had initially wanted a Special 20 as my first real harmonica, the marine band just happened to be carried localy.
So this time, being more knowledgeable i knew i 1, Still wanted a Special 20. 2, wanted to buy from rockinronsmusic.com.
They shockingly had a hot pink breast cancer awareness model on sale. Normaly im not much of a pink guy, but w/e. It is strange, this hobby seems like such a bro fest im shocked it was for breast cancer inplace of testicular/prostate.
Anyway, seeing this obnoxious comb made the asthetic down grade a little less painful. (Pear wood -> black abs just hurts everything except my lips lol)
Another strange thing about this harp was that it was advertised as having flat head screws in place of their regular torx screws, this wasnt a make or break facet of me buying the harmonica or not but it sure seemed convenient
Flash forward ive got my harp, the box is pink, the case is pink, the entire wrap aroundcomb is pink, i lo-ove it. But the flat head screws, advertised, were 100% torx.
Not a huge buzzkill, ill just have to go to the hardware store, poor me. Anyway i type a quick message to RR as im sure they would like to be aware of changes in stock. I then look at the hohner flyer in the package
Before i can get to that hohner classes site, i get a call from THE RON of rockinronsmusic.com! He's been unaware of the change in screws used in the breast cancer awareness model of the Special 20. He points out the boxes show flatheads still on the box, he's so sorry hes sending me a torx screwdriver and flathead screws so i can have my harmonica set up however i prefer.
Not only is that amazing response time, not only is that a classy move sending both screws and screw driver, but it is so nice that i could talk about a pedantic issue and be 100% understood. Amazon could never.
Im absoluelty thrilled with my instrument and interaction
r/harmonica • u/Obvious-Nobody-7042 • 2d ago
Any tips or suggestions welcome, JRZ10HM
r/harmonica • u/Sea_Shallot5311 • 3d ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
r/harmonica • u/Pepe_Silvia1 • 3d ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
r/harmonica • u/Intelligent_Star_516 • 3d ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
FYI I just ordered 3 more Ozzy Signature harps.
r/harmonica • u/Im_not_burnt123 • 2d ago
Not sure if its just me but the website seems fine until im on a song, then is says theres an issue or something. It’s showing that the site has no songs when I search something. Even if it’s vague and I’m 100% sure they have it, or if I click a song on their website directly from a google search.
r/harmonica • u/oboehme • 3d ago
Hi everyone,
I'm Olaf, a harmonica player and teacher from Germany. I've been playing for over 45 years and teaching harmonica for around 30 years.
I've recently started a new YouTube tutorial series called Harmonica for Beginners – Play Real Music From Day One.

My teaching philosophy is simple: learning the harmonica should be about making real music from the very beginning, not just practicing isolated notes and exercises.
The lessons are free and cover playing techniques, practical tips, and musical examples for beginners.
I've published the first three episodes so far, and I'd be happy to share them with this community and hear your feedback.
Here's the first episode: https://youtu.be/Hyr34xrUo84
Happy harping!
Olaf
r/harmonica • u/Chaihigh-2 • 3d ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
A couple different ways to get vibrato on harmonica.
In this clip I’m demonstrating throat vibrato and what I call “chewing” vibrato. They create noticeably different sounds even though we’re still just adding movement to a sustained note.
In the full Harmonica Mondays lesson, I go through several types of vibrato and talk about the differences and how I use them in my playing.
Full lesson:
https://youtu.be/47EHaCYfg9w
What kind of vibrato do you use most?
r/harmonica • u/VanishingAct700 • 3d ago
Howdy all! My grandfather-in-law is an ethnomusicologist and jazz/blues scholar. I got him a pretty leather harmonica belt holster and harmonica for him last Christmas. He liked it, but he talked about how there was some kind of upheaval in the past (maybe the 1950's??) where harmonica manufacturers changed how harmonicas were made to be easier for beginners to learn. I would love to get him the original harmonica type for this Christmas, but I don't know the first place to start to find it. I don't remember much about the type save for what I've said. Help me reddit!!