knight66
1 post
Aug 03, 2016
11:26 AM
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Evening everybody, my first post and sorry but the question hardly original.I consider my self very much a novice though i can play a little. My birthday is coming up next week (66 sadly) and the theme present wise is going to be harp related. So I thought I would get a decent harp ( I know it's not going to make me play any better) amongst other things.
I have
2 Hohners One in c and one Bb
1 Lee Oskar in C
2 Seydels one C and one Low A
Seydels tend to be my favourites at the moment So I was thinking of getting an 1847 but not sure which key
But I'm open to all polite suggestions. I can bend notes and my tone is good mostly.
Thanks in advance
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2chops
535 posts
Aug 03, 2016
12:04 PM
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Either a G or a D. Brand of your preference. After these two I would get an F or a Low F if you prefer.
Between the keys you have, and then adding the G, D & F you can play most anything. Especially if you get into 3rd position. Good luck and have fun.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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ME.HarpDoc
173 posts
Aug 03, 2016
12:35 PM
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I think 2chops missed that you currently have a LOW A, otherwise I think he would have included A as your next choice (probably most commonly used after C). Then after that, I'd agree the order is probably G,D and F. Seydel Blues Session Steel is good but has full length cover plates. Can't go wrong with an 1847. If you haven't tried Suzuki, you might try a Harpmaster (standard cover) or Bluesmaster (full cover) in A. Or you could try a Manji, Hammond or Olive from Suzuki. If your Honers are not Special 20 or Crossover, you might try one of them. As a beginner, though, I'd stay away from Hohner's wooden comb harps ( like the Marine Band).
Last Edited by ME.HarpDoc on Aug 03, 2016 12:40 PM
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ME.HarpDoc
174 posts
Aug 03, 2016
12:38 PM
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P.S. I'm 68 and just took up harp 2 years ago. Welcome to the Forum! Where do you live?
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knight66
2 posts
Aug 03, 2016
2:19 PM
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Thanks for the prompt replies, So looks like an A or a G. sound good. Forgive the pun. I haven't tried a Suzuki but like the idea of trying different makes. I'm past the saliva stage but I don't fancy wooden combs. I've been learning for about three years, but long working hours meant practice times where few and far between, but now I'm semi retired so no excuses.
By the way I live in Yorkshire in the UK
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SuperBee
3960 posts
Aug 03, 2016
2:45 PM
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I concur with ME.HarpDoc
The usual wisdom is an A harp as either 1st or second harp.
Good reasons for this.
It's a good harp to play, and puts you in key to play along with 'lots' of records. Good for 2nd position and 1st position. A lot of 1st position records are in A, and loads of 2nd position in E
I think there's a good case to advise people to get an A for the first harp. C is a good harp but I'd say not quite as useful and not quite as easy to play.
D harp is probably more useful to me than a C harp also.
Looking at my band, I counted the keys of our run list and found 10 tunes in A, 6 in E and 4 in G. (I also have a couple in F which weren't on the list for unknown reason)
A couple of the A tunes are first position so that's the A harp and D harp getting lots of work, and the C bringing up the rear.
I like a G harp a lot and have some great ones but I've not used them so much in bands for some reason.
The F harp is a special thing. I play the LoF more these days, especially for jazz tunes, but I used to play a few uptempo numbers with a standard F.
E, Eb, B, F#, Db all see virtually no work in my kit, and Ab not much at the moment though has not always been the case.
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knight66
3 posts
Aug 04, 2016
12:23 PM
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SuperBee thank you just the sort of info I was looking for. the low A I have was a present so I didn't want to return it as it might cause offence but I enjoy playing it. So an A it is, thanks again
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2chops
536 posts
Aug 05, 2016
8:45 AM
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@ME.Harpdoc...I have seen some people refer to the regular A as a low A. That's why I didn't bother to suggest an A. But if he has a true low A, Then a regular A is definitely a must have.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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knight66
4 posts
Aug 17, 2016
7:10 AM
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Got the harp last Friday and it seems you do get what you pay for. So easy to play and such good tone. The harp is an 1847 silver in A major.
Thanks to you all for this and all the other information I've got off this site over the last couple of years or so.
Thanks most to Adam for setting it up.
Last Edited by knight66 on Aug 17, 2016 7:11 AM
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