Playing the harmonica

Caleb · Post by **Caleb** » 18 Mar 2007 14:16

So I've recently had the urge to learn the harmonica but have NO idea how to go about it. And I figured if there was one group of people that would know some good tips/resources on artistic forms of expression and hobbies that have little interest to the general public......it's you crazy footbaggers. So can anyone point me in the right direction here.

Outsider · Post by **Outsider** » 18 Mar 2007 16:52

http://www.amazon.com/Country-Blues-Har ... 0932592082

I know you don't fall into that "musically hopeless" category (like I sadly do), but I just thought this book sounded like an easy way to start. Harmonica is cool. Its kind of like the footbag of the music world, in so far as its pocket-sized and thus portable, requiring very little extra equipment, etc. You get the idea. Good luck.

mc · Post by mc » 19 Mar 2007 15:02

Caleb,

you're musically talented enough to figure it out yourself. They're generally made in the diatonic scale (do-re-mi etc). I recommend you get a Hohner brand Special 20 harmonica (that's what john popper of blues traveller [and myself] uses). They're only $20 or so, and very high quality. I recommend you get one in the key of C, and one of those orthodontic brace looking things like bob dylan uses, and hook it up in front of your face, and play C, F, G, and A minor chords on your guitar while honking on it.

I guarantee you'll figure it out.

then you can move on to other keys.

Caleb · Post by **Caleb** » 20 Mar 2007 16:00

Hey thanks Matt and Jon! I will definitely look into some sort of book or something to guide me along the way but I'm also going to look into the brand harmonica you suggested, Matt. I'm pretty excited! Maybe I'll post some I'll post some folky tunes in the Art and Leisure section when I figure this little guy out.

sen · Post by **sen** » 20 Mar 2007 16:07

I'm musically hopeless too and I've had a go at the harmonica a few times. I got the same horn matt was talking about. It's good. One thing I'll mention is that I found some great websites to learn from. I don't remember them now, but I'm sure your familar with our good friend google.

One thing to figure out fairly soon is what kind a playing you wanna do. Improv? Tabs? ect. Then find information on it. Like Matt said, you know music and should be able to pick up something like 12 bar blues pretty easily... unlike me.

professor · Post by **professor** » 20 Mar 2007 17:07

If you want inspiration and a goal to aim for watch this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dSL_xEadIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmSZVe62A2Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cGAv6eH4SY

His name is L.D. Miller and he WILL blow your mind.

mtoolan · Post by **mtoolan** » 20 Mar 2007 18:28

that kids crazy, i remember seeing him on that americas got talent show. i was actually wanting to learn too. im pretty pumped.

Anz · Post by **Anz** » 23 Mar 2007 11:12

I've had a chromatic Hohner for several years now and I'm very pleased with it. I suggest getting a chromatic harmonica, so you can play anything with it.

crazydwarf · Post by **crazydwarf** » 23 Mar 2007 15:11

If you just want to play recongizable songs I suggest this!

http://www.harptabs.com/

They're all easy to play and you can recognize them/they sound good/can be played along to the real song. It's what I do whenever I get bored! Granted if you want to become a harmonica master these are probably not the way to go...

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 26 Jan 2008 19:53

I bought one about a month ago and have been teaching myself what I can. It's a hell of a lot of fun.

I found this on YouTube, video lessons on blues harp:
http://youtube.com/user/KudzuRunner

Kind of advanced, but he has TONS of videos up, I've just started watching them.

As luck would have it my favorite harmonica player Eric Oblander (who's music inspired me to pick the instrument up) started his own myspace page dedicated to his harmonica songs. He'll be posting some tabs and some advice on playing.

http://www.myspace.com/harpcarp

It's got a couple songs from his band Five Horse Johnson plus a Clutch and a Local H song where he is a guest musician

I sent him an email asking him for tips on how to learn, this was his advice:

Eric Oblander wrote:As far as the "best way " to learn harp goes, I suggest this...get to know that harp. carry it around and just play away (WARNING! this will stretch the bounds of some of your friendships) and try to imitate riffs or solos you like, even if you don't get em down right away, you will in time.

I started by locking myself in my car at night (the only place i could find where I didn't annoy the hell outta somebody) and played along to cassettes of Muddy Waters tunes. It taught me how to figure out what songs were in what keys AND I learned how to do some rhythms behind solos, which if you ask me is half the battle. Its kinda like having a free back-up band.

balancebagger88 · Post by **balancebagger88** » 31 Jan 2008 09:20

Matt Cross wrote:Caleb,

I recommend you get a Hohner brand Special 20 harmonica
.

I agree,Hohner special 20 is a great way to learn any kind of harp playing.I also recomend getting a C harp,it's pretty versatile and is a good starting ground for learning.

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 07 Feb 2008 02:45

Like Anz said, get a chromatic.

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 08 Feb 2008 06:37

Bad News Brown, A montreal local subway artist who plays the harmonica, now is touring with Kanye West and is getting pretty big.

Check out his myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/brizbrown

I recommend the song Soul Seek...

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 08 Feb 2008 06:39

double-post...