Anyone play the harmonica?

[T-Bay]

6 minutes ago, Nail Soup said:

Just googled that.

Wow seems like prices go up pretty steep for a low register harp...... and really up for a bass harp!

It wasn’t cheap, about £70-80 I think, but that’s peanuts in the grand scheme of things music wise. Check out some of the YouTube videos and you will get a sense of what they are like. The top end is like a normal harp but the bottom end has a unique resonant sound that is just gorgeous.

[dave moffat]

Enjoying leaning the basics.

Have it by my side for the ad breaks when watching TV and shove it in my pocket while walking the poor, long suffering dogs). I can play single notes and bend but not reliably.

Got a bit to go before I can justify looking to expand to a collection.

[Beer of the Bass]

I've been thinking about dabbling with some more diatonic harmonica since I've been getting into Chromatic in the last few months. Though the one diatonic I have I find quite uncomfortable and not that easy to play compared to my chromatics. It's a Hohner Blues Harp I've had around since the 90s, so maybe I need to try something with a different style comb like a Special 20 or Seydel Session to see if those feel friendlier.

[Nail Soup]

2 hours ago, T-Bay said:

It wasn’t cheap, about £70-80 I think, but that’s peanuts in the grand scheme of things music wise. Check out some of the YouTube videos and you will get a sense of what they are like. The top end is like a normal harp but the bottom end has a unique resonant sound that is just gorgeous.

I guess it racks up a bit if you wanted a set of say seven for different keys.

Then again, as you say, it's similar in total to what is often paid for a bass etc

[Nail Soup]

Not so much a tip as a listening suggestion........ try a "best of" by Slim Harpo.

Great harp player, even got it in his name!

[Ricky 4000]

Harmonica playing doesn't need to be cheap. There's a guy just down the hill from me who makes bespoke valve amps for them!

https://www.fat-tone-amps.co.uk/

😬

[grenadillabama]

This topic has made me get out a few harmonicas and play with a neck brace . I can do "Out On the Weekend" by Neil Young and other easy tunes . I want a Hohner Rocket with low notes .

[grenadillabama]

I got a Hohner Rocket Amp harmonica for Christmas. I like it more than the Special 20. Superb tone ! 

[Earbrass]

These guys sure do....

 

[grenadillabama]

I have been trying Seydel harmonicas and they have some "low" keys with lower bass notes. The Session Steel has stainless steel reeds and a good tone (not too bright).               

[Beer of the Bass]

Since low key diatonics have come up a few times in this thread, I thought I'd mention that I picked up a low C Lee Oskar to play around with. The nice thing about it is that LO price them the same as their standard keys.

It sounds fine and plays easily - the bends on hole 2 and three are taking a little adjustment of my technique but I gather that's normal with low keys. So they seem like a good option if you're curious about low keys.

[dave moffat]

Just bitten the bullet and signed up for a pretty intensive course, typically both my C harps decided to play up on the first day, both now cleaned, reassembled and playing well. Another session today.

 

2 more Special20 Cs ordered so I don't get left hapless in future along with a wee 2 octave Hohner Chromettat8 to live in my pocket as I prefer chromatic.

 

I now have C, A, Bb D, E, F and G Special20s, a Hohner Chrometta12 and a Swan professional1664 (in a bling GOLD finish) as the ordinary ones were out of stock and they'd chucked in a cheap blues in C as a freebie.

 

I find A to be the sweetest key to my ear, my harp collection is building faster than my Bass one.

 

 

[grenadillabama]

My new Hohner Rocket Amp has a hole that won't play in the 'blow' note. I think I can't blow air through it.The reed seems free to move. How can I fix It ?I can take the covers off.

[dave moffat]

14 hours ago, grenadillabama said:

My new Hohner Rocket Amp has a hole that won't play in the 'blow' note. I think I can't blow air through it.The reed seems free to move. How can I fix It ?I can take the covers off.

Don't know,try stripping it right down and giving it a a good clean soak the reed plates for a while, then gently clean them brushing very gently along the reeds from their roots dab them dry and then let them finish air drying or nick a hair drier. Best to do it over a table or something with a tray underneath to catch the bits as you inevitably drop them. At least hat's the way I've learned to do it 🥴. I've got a complete maintenance/servicing kit coming this week.

 

Depending on how much you play them they reckon you should dry your harmonica after every play and a proper clean once a week. Hence I was seen lurking along in the Tesco beauty shelves yesterday looking for a cheap hair dryer.

[dave moffat]

Now exploring low keys, 3 Hohner Thunderbirds C,A&G and a Dabell (F)so far. Collection up to 28 and counting. Confident enough to open mic and busk now, when covid permits. mostly diatonics but a full set of Chromatic CX12s as well as a couple of Tremolos.

 

Early  New  Year ambitions are Stone Fox Chase and Orange Blossom Express.

[NickA]

Stone fox chase!  The sole reason I bought a harmonica and the only thing I can play!  

 

In truth I'd hoped to manage Parchman Farm ... But much too hard.

[dave moffat]

Learned Mike Oldfield's arrangement of "In Dulce Jubilo" for Christmas but caught some kind of bug which caused shortness of breath so never got to record/post it, ah well I'll dust it off again next year.

[dave moffat]

FINALLY!! Hohner CX12 in Eb arrived yesterday (ordered September last year so 7 months, roll on Stranger on the Shore and Moon River in their original key😁.

TBH I've already got hold of a Eb Chromonica from somewhere else, prefer the sound of the CX though.