Need help choosing a harp!

rpl08 · 06-30-2008, 05:07 AM

Hi, I just joined the forum and would appreciate any advise you may have. I am in the market for a new harp. I currently own a Hohner Marine Band but it's a little too "major", or up-beat, if you will. I want something bluesy and soulful, but that I can also play with rock music. I am a beginner and do not have many techniques down. So what do you suggest??? So far I have heard that Lee Oskar's are the way to go. Look forward to your comments.

Thanks,
Rich

MusicMan · 06-30-2008, 05:12 AM

Well, they make blues harps in all sorts of varieties and keys, or you could get one that is chromatic and includes all the notes, but that would be more difficult to learn I suppose. I myself am looking to pick up a couple of harps and learn how to play, it would be great to accompany my guitar playing. But if you're wanting a specific key, in minor, just do this... If you're wanting to play A minor, get a C Major harp. Basically take the minor key you want, move up the keyboard three half-steps, and get that Major key harp. Another example would be Em = GMaj.

Let me know what you get and if you're happy learning on it, and I just might pick up the same one.

Aqualung · 06-30-2008, 05:57 AM

Oh, that kind of harp.

Brain · 06-30-2008, 11:55 AM

Either you're confusing me or are you talking about harmonicas?? Or the guitar harp?

If you're confusing me then you're talking about an orchestral blues harp lol.

rpl08 · 06-30-2008, 03:42 PM

Yes, I am talking about harmonicas. Good old fashion blues/rock harmonicas.

Thanks!

James+ · 05-08-2009, 02:53 AM

Chromatics are not really suitable for playing blues. Blues harmonica and bending notes just goes hand in hand.
Pick any brand. So long as it's not a top it will be fine.
Some you can replace the reeds. Some you can't.Some are brass, usually the most expensive, some are steel or plastic. Not so good for lasting years and tears.
A good idea to have a range of keys

06-30-2008, 05:12 AM	#2
MusicMan "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong." - Voltaire Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Inside your head Posts: 7,314 Thanks: 562 Thanked 460 Times in 401 Posts Rep Power: 500	Well, they make blues harps in all sorts of varieties and keys, or you could get one that is chromatic and includes all the notes, but that would be more difficult to learn I suppose. I myself am looking to pick up a couple of harps and learn how to play, it would be great to accompany my guitar playing. But if you're wanting a specific key, in minor, just do this... If you're wanting to play A minor, get a C Major harp. Basically take the minor key you want, move up the keyboard three half-steps, and get that Major key harp. Another example would be Em = GMaj. Let me know what you get and if you're happy learning on it, and I just might pick up the same one. __________________ Rules! A definite must-read How to upload music to the Music Showcase. How to embed a YouTube video. Send me a PM if you need any help with anything.

06-30-2008, 05:57 AM	#3
Aqualung Pshaw! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 11,548 Thanks: 527 Thanked 731 Times in 684 Posts Rep Power: 269	Oh, that kind of harp. __________________ Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

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06-30-2008, 05:07 AM	#1
rpl08 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 20	Hi, I just joined the forum and would appreciate any advise you may have. I am in the market for a new harp. I currently own a Hohner Marine Band but it's a little too "major", or up-beat, if you will. I want something bluesy and soulful, but that I can also play with rock music. I am a beginner and do not have many techniques down. So what do you suggest??? So far I have heard that Lee Oskar's are the way to go. Look forward to your comments. Thanks, Rich

06-30-2008, 11:55 AM	#4
Brain Guitar Yunkie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 464 Thanks: 92 Thanked 55 Times in 46 Posts Rep Power: 51	Either you're confusing me or are you talking about harmonicas?? Or the guitar harp? If you're confusing me then you're talking about an orchestral blues harp lol.

06-30-2008, 03:42 PM	#5
rpl08 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 20	Yes, I am talking about harmonicas. Good old fashion blues/rock harmonicas. Thanks!

05-08-2009, 02:53 AM	#6
James+ Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mollymook NSW Australia Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Rep Power: 11	Chromatics are not really suitable for playing blues. Blues harmonica and bending notes just goes hand in hand. Pick any brand. So long as it's not a top it will be fine. Some you can replace the reeds. Some you can't.Some are brass, usually the most expensive, some are steel or plastic. Not so good for lasting years and tears. A good idea to have a range of keys

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