turtleman
1 post
Oct 07, 2008
6:01 PM
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From Sam Ash. Was it a good choice for beginning? Anyway, what are some good places to start beginning the harmonica. I'm an experienced musician with over 7 years experience with the Double Bass and I also play various other stringed/fretted instruments. This is my first instrument that doesn't involve string picking so any tips on where to start would be nice.
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eharp
101 posts
Oct 07, 2008
6:13 PM
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this is as good as any place to start.
of course, utilize youtube:
1) adam gussow
2) ronnie shellist
3) dan gage
4) jason ricci
5) jon gindick
harmonica club has a forum and a chat room where you can play and listen. it is a great way to actually hear what folks talk about on this, and other, forums.
the harp you bought is a fine harp. (though why ask after you bought it is beyond me!) everybody has their favorite harp. some folks take a while to find their favorite flavor. but what you got is good.
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Ant138
39 posts
Oct 08, 2008
12:16 AM
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I like the Hohner blues harp, i find them really easy to bend notes on. Ive never had a duff one yet!! Good luck.
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Zhin
22 posts
Oct 08, 2008
1:02 AM
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Yeah the Hohner Blues Harp really is a decent harp. Not my main harp of choice but fun enough for me to buy an entire set. ;)
One warning though, sometimes the reed plates that jut out are not smoothed out at all and can be sharp enough to really cut your mouth/lips up.
I would advice you to take your blues harp apart and start sanding away the sharp horizontal edges of the jutting reed plates where your lips generally have to press against and slide left and right....
And if you're going to sand/file those sharp parts, always remember that you're dealing with copper dust so it would be advisable to do the sanding in a designated workshop (with still air) or outdoors. Finally, always make sure you rinse the reedplates thoroughly with plain water after sanding them.
Your comfort level can really affect how you play. I don't believe in the whole machismo thing about how only sissies need to sand the reedplates down and bleeding gums/lips are supposedly a the rites of passage.
At the end of the day, it's all about getting to play without having to deal with all kinds of problems in between. Think of it as insurance for your most important component for playing the harp... your mouth.
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Miles Dewar
27 posts
Oct 08, 2008
5:29 PM
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Oh Yeah Zhin. I'm a Blues Harp man myself. The case is the best i've seen too, its easy to take everywhere.
Definately make sure you sand the edges down with a file. but..... be careful sanding the corners down (the corners with the "cover plate groove") I filed mine down and they got sharp, so make sure you go all out perfectionist style. smoothing down in a circle at the corners, instead of straight across.
also, the corners of the cover plates have holes in them, and i found it convienient to fold them in a tiny tiny little bit, my moustache hair always used to get caught in them, and i had hair getting ripped out.
Blues Harps are the way to go my brother, nice bright sound. check out sugar blue, ive seen him use blues harps.
---Be Positive---
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Zhin
26 posts
Oct 09, 2008
1:06 AM
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So much love on this forum. :)
But please, don't ever be afraid of disagreeing with me EVER. I prefer debating/discussing/truth over denial and ignorance ANY DAY.
Sugar Blue used blues harps? Hmm... maybe that would explain why he uses such a bright amp setup.. them blues harps are a little more warm in tone than most harps I tried (I don't mean this in a bad way).
Last Edited by on Oct 15, 2008 7:33 AM
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turtleman
2 posts
Oct 14, 2008
12:47 PM
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Thanks for the posts guys. I just got my blues harp in the mail today and I'm excited to start learning.
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kudzurunner
127 posts
Oct 15, 2008
9:51 AM
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Turtleman:
I started on Blues Harps and Marine Band harps; at a certain point, the Blues Harps got mushy--that was in the old days; they've changed them--and I stayed with Marine Bands, which I still use.
If I'm allowed to make a pitch, one place to start might be to download the free video I offer on page 1, then take some time and read through my FAQs page (and a loooooooong page it is). Then take a look at the lessons in "the store," especially the beginner's lessons.
A German harp player who had been playing for one year attended the 5-day clinic that I gave at this year's Mundharmonika-live festival in Klingenthal, Germany. I've heard hundreds, maybe several thousand, one-year players in my 20 years as a teacher; this guy was in the top 1%. And he swore that his ONLY source of information was my YouTube lessons and the lessons here at MBH. You may make of that what you will. I was certainly happy to hear it.
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Zhin
68 posts
Oct 19, 2008
11:06 AM
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I take back what I said about the Blues harp ms being warm sounding.
For some strange reason it FELT warmer when I played it back to back with my other harps.
But a moment ago my wife mentioned that she thought the Blues MS harps are considerably bright sounding compared to my Lee Oskars.
I didn't quite believe her so I recorded myself on my computer right after that.
The results shocked me to say the least. They ARE bright harps. After that I actually could notice the brighter frequencies that my ears must have been filtering out. Even the waveforms proved it.
Still doesn't change my opinion on them though. I do like the way they sound and find them fun to play with. Just not my main harp of choice though. ;)
Well, now I know why Sugar Blue sounds bright to me. :)
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harmonicanick
29 posts
Oct 19, 2008
11:32 AM
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Zhin Hiya,
Sugar Blue was on the Paul Jones Blues Show in England www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/pauljones at 7pm gmt every monday,
a few weeks ago, and he plays Special 20's he replied to Paul's question.
Paul Jones was the lead singer and harp player with Manfred Mann in the 60's,he is a legend in the uk and states. A fantastic harp player and currently plays with The Blues Band and is a spokesman for the blues on UK radio.
He is also President of the National Harmonica League following Larry Adler's sad demise.
Come over for our Harmonica festival next weekend in Bristol England it is awesome.
Harp on Nick
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Zhin
69 posts
Oct 19, 2008
8:53 PM
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Not surprised that he uses Special 20's.
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