The boss is leaving work at the end of next week and we understand that he is keen to learn how to play the harmonica but has never got round to doing so. However, we wouldn’t know where to start in terms of looking for one.
He’s into his 70s and 80s rock music with Cheap Trick being his favourite, if that’s of any use.
Any harmonica aficionados out there who could suggest a half decent one we could get him as a present. Given other bits we are getting him, the budget is probably around £40-£50.
You won’t need the whole budget. Get a DVD course to go with it. A Lee Osker diatonic in C will be perfect. There’s a 25th anniversary gold one whichis a nice thing if you can find one. Don’t go Dodgers – a proper little boutique web shop is what you want. I like these guys…..
http://www.honkin-harmonica-shop.co.uk/lee-oskar-major-diatonic-harmonica/
Dunno that it’s worth shelling out for a DVD course. There are plenty of lessons for beginners on the youtube. Get him a sporran instead. Or a dog.
True dat. Lots on YouTube. I had a book called Blues Harmonics by Tony “Little Sun” Glover which was really excellent and I’d recommend if it’s still around. The trouble with the YouTube stuff is its fine for learning a specific lick or whatever, but doesn’t really explain why it works so all you’ve learned is one lick. I like to learn the principles which help you play by ear.
Agree – Lee Oskar harmonicas are excellent. Take a look at the Harmonicas Direct website, I get most of mine from there, it’s a small business with great personal service.
I can offer nothing useful (some would argue that is already a redundancy…) but surely “Veronica Honecker’s Harmonicas” would be the best name for a music related shop/business ever?
Nice moniker.
This December will they celebrate Hannukah at Veronica Honecker’s Harmonicas?
The problem with diatonic harmonicas is that they’re only in one key. If you got him a harmonica in C, then he could only play along with tunes in C.
A decent Lee Oskar or Hohner is going to cost around £25.
I’d suggest getting a full set of cheap ones, since he’s a beginner. He’ll be able to play along in any key.
Of course, the quality of these harps is nothing compared to the proper ones but still good enough for starting out on.
Not strictly true. You can (have to) play blues in G, you can play in Am and also Em works very well on a C harp (The River, for example, is in Em on a C). With those keys you’re fairly well set up. I do have a Bb harp I played once in 1982 with a trad jazz band, sadly unused since….(mind you I have most keys now, it’s true).
You could get him one of these monsters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0fT1KhZWB4
Much favoured by Brian Wilson circa 66-67.
Don’t buy a second hand one from anyone called Ivan Morrison. I’ve heard they are a bit s*it.
They’re absolute arse.
Tsk. I just *knew* you boys would be in here making smutty Van harp remarks. Van’s harps are good for the craic I understand.
And that guy can really blow.
I did. It had a crack in it.
Cheeky!
Maybe you could ask advice from Shakey.
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u577/Mrpolly/Neil-Young-Rust-Never-Sleeps-498927_zps1rphcn92.jpg
Sorry couldn’t resist
Lee Oskar – he was in War wasn’t he. Eric Burdon Declares War one of my first Elpees and still holds up I reckon .
Indeed he was. Saw him/them once.
Proper harmonicas are expensive. I’ve built up a collection over the years and was surprised recently to find what it cost to replace them if they got nicked or lost. I think I’d be tempted to go for a boxed set as suggested by that there Big Stevie Cook up above; either the set he recommended or a Hohner 7-piece blues set. That would allow the user to play in a lot of keys. Once you’ve decided what style you like, and what are the likely keys, it allows opportunity to buy better ones
Here’s me harping away recently on a Hohner Blues Bender in G which must be at least 10 years old. The tune is in the key of D, which means I’m playing in Second position which is generally the case for bluesy tunes https://soundcloud.com/dyslexic-superbug/texas-eagle-steve-earle-cover
Very cool Vince. Here’s a midnight all one takes with whisky country number. All me, for better or worse. That’s me blowing on the AW podcast music too.
Third time lucky
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/69675030″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Nope. OK, embedding doesn’t work.
https://soundcloud.com/twangothan/aint-nothin-to-me
Fuck me, the not embedding option embeds. Weird.
I quite like the idea of learning an instrument but I have a completely tin ear so it would have to be one that doesn’t need tuning. I though harmonica but the Baroness hates the sound of them. Is there owt else that would meet my needs?
A friend of mine learned penny whistle whilst sitting in traffic jams. All of YouTube lessons, and he’s really good now!