bullion king
1 post
Nov 10, 2009
6:52 PM
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I bought a DIATONIC 24 HOLE HARMONICA KEY OF C. This thing has alot of holes! I am thinking I bought the wrong one for a beginner. It doesnt even have any numbers or letters on it. If this isnt the right harmonica please give me advice on the best one to buy. I want to learn how to play the blues. I have no experience with this so I imagine its gonna take plenty of time to learn. I really want to learn though. I dont know what key is what. I dont know anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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toddlgreene
109 posts
Nov 10, 2009
7:05 PM
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Welcome aboard! Methinks you have purchased a tremolo harp. I believe there are a few Tremolo players here, but mostly 10-hole diatonic players. No harm no foul, but you might think you're reading a different language!
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GO SAINTS!
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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bullion king
2 posts
Nov 10, 2009
7:32 PM
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Thats what I mean. I rather have a harp thats easy to learn with what is online. So Im assuming a 10-hole diatonic? Is that good for the blues as well?
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bullion king
3 posts
Nov 10, 2009
7:33 PM
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and what key should that be? C?
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Oisin
379 posts
Nov 10, 2009
7:38 PM
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Hey there Bullion King and welcome to the forum.
First off....yes you should get yourself a 10 hole diatonic blues harp in the key of C. There are loads of different kinds but the Hohner special 20 is a good one to start on as it's quite airtight and easy to play.
I would also recommend that you read Adams "quick start for begineers" on the left hand side menu. It will give you some advice on how to get started. If you need any more info, well you've come to the right place!!
Welcome to the wonderful world of harmonica!!
Oisin
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toddlgreene
112 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:04 PM
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The Puck is tiny, but essentialy the same as the 'standard' 10-hole diatonic. Some good ones to seek out include, but are not limited to:Hohner Special 20, Big River or Golden Melody, Lee Oskar, Seydel blues session, suzuki harpmaster, etc.
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GO SAINTS!
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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bullion king
5 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:06 PM
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so because this one is small it wouldnt be good? I am a pretty big guy with a wide face. If that makes any sense lol. I rather get a fairly cheap one to begin because Im sure I will ruin it quickly as a beginner. I am looking to buy one on ebay.
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 8:08 PM
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KingoBad
129 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:38 PM
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Bullion King whoa!!! Slow your pony down a little.
I think you need to figure out what you are doing here. While you may rack up a bunch of interesting harps, you may want to heed some advice already given.
Regardless of the size of your face, most of the good choices for harp are close to the same size and is really not a reasonable issue here.
I suggest you go back and read Oisin's post. You need a good starting place with good information.
Here's a little paraphrased excerpt from the movie "Colors" :
Two bulls are sitting on a hill. The young one says "let's run down there and screw one of those cows." The older bull says "slow up son, let's walk down and screw 'em all."
Pay attention to the advice you are given here and you will save yourself a lot of wasted efforts.
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bullion king
6 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:49 PM
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Ok I understand this. I did read Oisins post and it was appreciated. That is why I looked for the harp he referred to right away and posted a link to it asking if this was a good harp to get. The way I see it is if I am going to learn I have to have the correct harp to learn from. I rather figure that out asap because there is the shipping time. I did read adams quick start for beginners before I even signed up for an account here.
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 8:49 PM
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Hobostubs Ashlock
110 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:50 PM
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10 hole major Diatonic key of C Grasshopper
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 8:54 PM
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Oisin
380 posts
Nov 10, 2009
8:57 PM
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Bullion...Kingo is spot on. You want to learn to blast the blues ASAP but you'll just get yourself all disappointed when you first start playing and it sounds like a bull having a fist rammed up its ass. We've all been there man.
Get yourself a special 20 or similar decent harp and then check out a few of Adams Youtube videos or lessons available here. Take it nice and slow, build up your confidence and soon you'll be blowing all your friends away with your super hot licks.
You will come across many obstecles on the way but we're here to help and someone will guide you through each of these hurdles you come to.
Listen to as many blues songs as you can as this will help you get a feel as to how the songs are structured and you'll get lots of ideas and sounds and licks (licks are little phrases from songs...like the classic DAH, DAH, DAH,...DAH, DAH from Muddy Waters Manish boy) that you'll want to try and copy.
But most of all...enjoy yourself.
Oisin
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nick67
15 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:01 PM
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My first harp was a Lee Oskar in the key of E given to me by my brother who wanted to play Desire by U2.He coulnt work it out so he gave it to me to play still got it . But get a 10 hole plastic comb cant go wrong.
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OzarkRich
36 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:11 PM
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Welcome from the Ozarks.
I understand your reasoning in buying cheap but unless you spend around $25 or more you'll end up with an inferior harp that is hard to learn on. A compromise would be to buy one with replaceable reed plates such as the Hohner MS series (blues harp, big river, cross, pro, etc)or a Lee Oscar. Other brands have models with replaceable reed plates. don't worry about brands, if you stick with it you'll end up trying/collecting them all along the way 'till you find your favorite(s).
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Gwood420
73 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:11 PM
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take a few min and watch (like the other guy said)adams you tube videos for sure! there are TONS OF THEM, about 200 and they will help.. also, you could check out this site for a bit of refferance..
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/
also, i downloaded some of adams teachin videos the other day, and they were well worth it.. will be getting more im sure...
take your time, and read up on the subject before you jump right in.. it will save you from wasting time..
welcome to the forum, and have fun:)
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Aussiesucker
428 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:14 PM
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Bullion King > Welcome on board good advice given here.You have found the best place to learn here.
Having a big mouth could be real bonus ie providing it is mainly used for playing the harp. But no, harps are not made in order to fit your mouth/face! The Puck however is not a toy but in reality it is so small that it would better suit a child.
In essence you need to get a 10 hole diatonic in the key of C which for playing the blues would be 2nd position key of G. Any of the following are good starting out harps and will give you good service as you advance:
Hohner SP20; Suzuki Bluesmaster or Harpmaster; Lee Oskar (orange label) major diatonic. Personally for starters I would stay away from harps with a wooden comb as they could cause issues for a new player.
Don't discard your 24 holer, it's probably, as previous posters have said,a tremolo and very suited to folk and olde worlde music. Interestingly I read that the Tremolos are the most popular harmonicas in Asia. Don't try and learn the stuff here on a Tremolo as it will not work and probably be blown out in 5 minutes! I have a few Tremolos and whilst they don't get much use they do have their occasional workout.
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nacoran
373 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:35 PM
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I have a Puck. It's actually pretty cool but I wouldn't recommend it for an everyday harp. It's REALLY tiny, only 2 1/2 inches. Aussie and Ozark both recommended some good harps. I like plastic combs myself. They are easier on the lips. Some people like the traditional wooden combs. I really like the Special 20's and the Lee Oskars, although be careful with the Oskars if you have a mustache. It's a hair grabber.
In the meantime, as long as you have a tremolo, until you can get a diatonic, don't let the 24 holes scare you. I think they are actually easier to play than a diatonic. A diatonic harmonica covers a three octave range in one key, but the bottom and the top octave don't have all the notes.
A tremolo has all the notes in the key for all three octaves, so if you are playing near the top you'll have more notes to choose from. You blow into both the top and bottom holes (and draw). The top and the bottom reeds are tuned to the same note, but one is a little sharp, the other is a little flat. The two notes together create a vibrating sort of sound that is more mellow than a blues harp. It's a lot harder to get a blues sound from a tremolo but you can still do a lot of stuff with it; they are used a lot in Asia, even in full orchestras.
Welcome to the forums. Have fun.
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Sirsucksalot
85 posts
Nov 10, 2009
9:50 PM
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How many harp players does it take To answer a simple Question?
Oh Wait
Don't answer that (:0
HAHAHA
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scrybe314
26 posts
Nov 11, 2009
1:34 AM
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Sirsucksalot: Doesn't matter, Little Walter could have answered it better.
Bullion: Welcome to the MBH forum! I'll toss in my two cents really quickly; these guys are, for the most part, Hohner players, and Special 20s are fine harps. But if they're a little on the expensive side for you, try a Huang Star Performer, key of C. They're cheaper, play well, and in my experience last forever.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
111 posts
Nov 11, 2009
2:26 AM
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yea i second the star performer there not to bad for the money,not bad at all.
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bullion king
7 posts
Nov 11, 2009
7:54 AM
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Thanks for all of your responses guys. Its not a money problem. I just know from experience that everything I do in life is harsh and rough. So I didnt want to get the best harp just yet. With that said. How does that one look? Its a lot of 2 so I will get 2 of them. I dont want to make the purchase until I get a green light from someone here. But I rather make the purchase today. Also, is this harp below plastic or wood? I cant tell. Someone said here that plastic is better?
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Huang-Star-Performer-Harmonica-102-Lot-of-2_W0QQitemZ130290936671QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e55f1eb5f#ht_3184wt_732
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 8:04 AM
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OzarkRich
37 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:13 AM
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Never tried one but I like the fact that it doesn't have recessed reed plates (some others will disagree). If you can choose two different keys then I'd suggest getting one of them in Bb. The majority of Adam's Youtube videos use this key.
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OzarkRich
38 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:47 AM
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Plastic. They're a knock-off of the Hohner golden melody. If it's similar it should be easy to play. Others seem to think they're okay.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
113 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:50 AM
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yea the 2 pack of star-performers is a good deal if your looking to get started without spending a lot.They are plastic.I have 2 star-performers a C and Bflat thats the 2 Keys needed for most the lessons out there.The C is a standard starting key,And the Bflat is useful for alot of Adams stuff.Cant go wrong with those 2 keys
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bullion king
9 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:50 AM
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Ok so I will get these 2 in the the c and the bb. I really dont know what that means besides its a note. thats how much of a beginner i am.
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bullion king
10 posts
Nov 11, 2009
8:55 AM
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1I just made the purchase. I got one in C and the other in B flat. Thanks for your help! In teh mean time I will practice with this 24 hole that I have just to get familiar.
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bullion king
11 posts
Nov 11, 2009
9:07 AM
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They said there will be a delay with the bflat so I told them to ship the C and I will wait for the B flat.
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nacoran
375 posts
Nov 11, 2009
11:56 AM
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Congratulations. And don't blow too hard. A lot of new players seem to blow as hard as they can to do crazy things. You can do those crazy things with a lot less air than you think. There are players on here who blow out harmonicas on a regular basis, and there are players who can make the same harp last nearly a life time. If you play with amplified players get an amp. If you treat your harp well it will return the favor. Enjoy.
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bullion king
12 posts
Nov 11, 2009
12:17 PM
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Thanks for the advice nacoran. Honestly the reason I decided to pick up the harp was because I am a closet blues fan and realized one night while watching the blues on TV that the harp is the reason I like the blues so much. So I did some research and loved what I found about this instrument.
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 1:28 PM
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