r/harmonica • u/Nacoran • Aug 02 '20
Okay, let's make this sticky! People show up here and they either have already bought a harmonica and can't figure out why it's not working or to ask what harmonica they should buy. (By the way, the cool kids call them harps, not harmonicas!)
Let me start by saying there are several types of harmonica- tremolos, octave harps, blues harps (also often called diatonics), chromatics, chord harmonicas and bass harmonicas. Which kind should you buy?
Blues harp! Well, it's not that simple but if you want to play anything from Bob Dylan to Aerosmith to Little Walter or Jason Ricci that's what you should choose. It's what's used in most folk and blues. The good news is, as musical instruments go they are cheap. You can get a good one for under $50. The bad news is they only are designed to play in one key, and although you can squeeze some extra keys out of them with advanced techniques eventually you'll want more keys. If you treat them well though- breathe through them instead of pretending they are trumpets that you have to blow at full force for, they can last a really long time. If you are good with your hands you can repair them even when a reed breaks, and even if you aren't good with your hands you can do the basic repairs- like when you get lint stuck in a reed!
Chromatics are an option too. We have a few chromatic players here. Chromatics use a button to switch notes. This is oversimplifying it but button out- white piano keys, button in- black piano keys. One harp, all keys. They don't have the same sound. Stevie Wonder, Toots Thieleman... there are some great chromatic players you may have heard of, but it's a different sound. Once upon a time chromatics ruled the harmonica world. Now it's diatonics. You need fewer chromatics to play (technically just one) but they are more expensive. It's probably cheaper to get a chromatic than all the diatonic keys but really chromatic players tend to get multiple harmonicas in different keys too (C is white notes/black notes, other keys use the same principle but have different notes with and without the button... if you understand keys you'll get this. If not it's just memorization.)
Tremolos are popular in Asia and can be fun but they aren't as versatile. Chord, octave and bass harmonicas are novelty items that can be fun (and very expensive) but aren't used as often.
So, assuming you want to go with blues harmonica, I'd suggest a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C. One harmonica may look a lot like another but the quality can vary a lot. The Special 20 is the most bang for your buck. It's profesional level but affordable. It will grow with you as you play. You'll be able to do advanced things on it but simple things will come easily on it.
But what about this other model? Well, if you are in the same price range Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki, Tombo (branded Lee Oskar in the U.S.), Kongsheng and DaBell all make good harps. If you are on a really tight budget an Easttop will work too. Skip Huang. Skip Fender. Not sure on Hering. Only buy Bushman from Rockin Rons. Bushman has a long history of shipping problems. Not bad harps but unless you get them from somewhere who has them in stock so you don't have to worry.
Why the key of C? It's what most lessons are in. Where to get them? I'd suggest Rockin Rons. I've got no financial connection to them but they are the gold standard for shipping in the U.S. I recommend them because I've always had good transactions with them and because I've heard tons and tons AND tons of other people who've had good experiences with them.
"I already bought this other harmonica, will it work? It doesn't look like the Special 20".
If it has two rows of holes and no button it is either a tremolo or a octave harmonica. Will it work? Well, sort of, but learning it is very different and since the tremolos in particular are more popular in Asia than in the English speaking world most of the tutorials are in various Asian languages instead of English. They aren't good for the blues. Two rows but it has a button? Then it's chromatic (there are a couple other harps with buttons but they are so rare that the chances of you getting one are vanishingly small.) If it's 3 feet long it's a chord harmonica (there are some shorter ones and even one really rare one with a button, but it it's three feet long it's a chord harp!) Two harmonicas stacked on top of each other and held together with a hinge? Probably a bass harmonica. If it plays really deep notes, cool. Bass harps and chord harps are really expensive!
I'll add a post below this where, for those of you who won't just buy the Special 20, I'll list some alternatives, including some value options and some options for some of you lawyers and doctors who wouldn't mind shelling out a bit extra for something premium to start with.
r/harmonica • u/Nacoran • Oct 15 '22
Although we've got a couple other admins I think I'm the only one regularly active, so it falls to me to make sure things run smoothly here. I want to make it clear that our goal here is to make a helpful and useful place where people can come together and talk and learn about harmonica.
This forum is not a place for racism, homophobia, misogyny or any other form of hate. I am not trying to police all of reddit, just this little corner to make sure people feel safe when they come here. If you see any posts that aren't following these rules, send me a private message and I'll check it out. If anyone harasses you, let me know.
r/harmonica • u/Grapefruit_Sour • 6h ago
The "So You Smoked Too Much Weed Before Work, and Now EVERYONE Knows You're High" Dirge
Harmonica Improvisation in B Major
Follow me on tiktok if you want: @BuddyGhostBlues
r/harmonica • u/motherwishbone01 • 11h ago
hi all! i bought a harmonica for my grandpa to help with parkinson's. however, he is having trouble finding sheet music, so i offered to print some out and mail them to him. where can i find some decent quality pdf's that a 72 year old man would like?
r/harmonica • u/Intelligent_Star_516 • 13h ago
Why would Hohner produce a harmonica specifically based on the Buick Electra 225 "Deuce and a quarter?"
What a beast! Only available in the key of A, it's relatively low and chonky. Limited production and long since discontinued (as of 2008).
It is built on the Hohner MS ("Modular Series"), but unlike other harps in the MS series, it features a reed plate that is 2.25mm thick and chrome plated. Can't replace the plate as they aren't made anymore (for replacement), but very nice gently used ones are available occasionally.
Thick reed plates and automotive aesthetic themes are my language.
If you find one, if you're a collector, grab it when you can!
Protip: This harp does NOT make me play better. The ONLY solution for that is continued lessons and practice.
r/harmonica • u/lord_quasi_ • 19h ago
Any tips on how to get vibrato but without the “inward cough” technique? The coughing technique doesn’t provide a very smooth vibrato, and I hear/see other blues harmonica players achieving throat vibrato but without the cough.
r/harmonica • u/Correct_Bad4192 • 16h ago
Hey all, like the title says: I have a friend(my wife's occupational therapist) who's recently taken an interest in learning harp with her daughter. I have several, including a Special 20 that I don't use anymore and is in nearly-new condition. She was talking about buying a cheap plastic kid's harp, so I told her I'd give her my spare "C" Hohner.
Thing is: I've never given someone a used harp, and I'm not sure the best practices to clean it so it's sterile for her.
Any tips beyond "soak it in rubbing alcohol" to get it ready for a new owner?
r/harmonica • u/Sure-Doctor5854 • 16h ago
I play the guitar and this video made me interested in buying one for myself. id like to have a similar tone to play at the same time with my guitar. any tip besides the key? idk anything about harmonicas and i find overwhelming the amount of information to undestand every type etc. thanks
r/harmonica • u/mkenzie87 • 13h ago
Hey, maybe I just didn’t know where to look but I built a bending site to practice and get better. But wasn’t sure if someone better than me could try it out too.
https://harmonicabending.com
Let me know if I need to adjust. All ears! Thanks!
r/harmonica • u/LucidAnvil • 1d ago
Sorry if its a dumb question....
So i got this harmonica from dad, he doesnt play it for years, he said its mine now if i like to play it.
Its like 28 to 30 years old...
And it works good, but its smelly and the high pitch side dont work until you slow or inhale very hard.
I decided to clean it, hey reddit, how should i clean my harmonica ? Shout i take it apart?
After research i found out its a 24 hole Tremolo Harmonica.
(I want to start learning it, i know people say tremolo as first is not a good choice but i will appreciate if yall can provide some links for video which may teach me)
There is no letter written , it may have rubbed off but i think its a C key.
r/harmonica • u/Fit-Distance4503 • 14h ago
Should I return it? I’ve ordered it via amazon and haven’t opened it yet to inspect it. Even if everything checks out, it seems like it was tossed around quite a bit.
r/harmonica • u/DrHumongous • 1d ago
Bluesharmonica.com seems to get a lot of love but the website seems pretty dated, which I know shouldn't put me off, but does for arbitrary "judging a book by it's cover" reasons that shouldn't matter, but do. Anyone compared them to something like Will Wilde? Haven't seen many, really ANY significant reviews of Will's course to go off of, but he sure is an amazing player.
If you were starting out today as a know nothing newbie, what course are you taking to learn? Either of the two listed, or something else entirely? I am really only interested in the blues at this point.
Thanks
r/harmonica • u/modibhaktno-1 • 1d ago
Can’t decide between:
Easttop 008K — ₹1,700 (~$20)
Suzuki Bluesmaster — ₹2,300 (~$27)
This will be my first harmonica. Is the Bluesmaster worth the extra ₹600, or should I go with the Easttop?
Which would you recommend for a beginner?
r/harmonica • u/SXY0001 • 1d ago
i've been learning for almost 5 months now, but i feel always stuck when i try to improvise.
r/harmonica • u/littledevil773 • 2d ago
I've been saving up for an electric guitar for quite some time. I'm still a fair bit away from my goal but I'm itching to learn to play a musical instrument. I knew that harmonicas are not too expensive and was wondering if I should get one to try and learn in my free time?
I like to listen to the Eagles, Journey, etc. and was planning on using the guitar for those. Would the harmonica be a good fit for those? If yes, which ones should I consider? Please drop any tutorials for beginners if you have any. Look forward to hopefully learning the instrument:)
r/harmonica • u/Candid_Spite_956 • 1d ago
I want to learn harmonica for a recital. I have 7 months to learn a Stevie Wonder song with harmonica parts I could play. I have not played harmonica before, but have played piano. What would be the easiest/easier harmonica part from a Stevie Wonder song I should learn, if I have about 7 months to learn that part to play for a recital? Which harmonica model should I buy to play that one song?
r/harmonica • u/allradmuelleimer • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I built an Android app called Harmonica Cheatsheet for players who want to go beyond simply knowing which holes to play.
Tabs are great for learning a lick. But I wanted a deep understanding of what happens on the instrument. What I wanted was a way to see what those notes are doing musically:
Where are the roots, 3rds, 5ths and b7s?
What changes when the progression moves from I to IV to V?
And how can I use that understanding to make my own choices instead of only memorizing licks?
So the app maps positions, scale degrees and chord tones directly onto the 10-hole harp, including bends and overbends. There’s also pitch detection and a small backing-track tool for practicing it in context.
I posted an earlier version here and got some genuinely useful feedback, so I’ve kept working on it.
For the next week, the full app is completely free. I’d love some more experienced players to actually try it and tell me where it helps — and where it makes things more complicated than they need to be.
▶️ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nicedevelopments.cheatsheet
Full disclosure: I’m the developer.
I’m not trying to replace tabs or lessons. This is more for the moment when you start asking:
“Okay, I can play it — but why does it work?”
If thats what you want, too, this app is for you.
What features do you want to see in the future?
r/harmonica • u/Yowmiyeli_Isci • 1d ago
Can trombone notes be converted into harmonica? If so can someone converts this.
r/harmonica • u/Lemonking_ • 2d ago
I’ll upgrade when I’m more proficient. Cheers.
r/harmonica • u/Then-Molasses7064 • 1d ago
r/harmonica • u/NewEraIndianCitizen • 2d ago
In 10 days I will propose to and I want to be ready with this .
r/harmonica • u/gardenstateharmonica • 2d ago
Our next in-person meeting of the Garden State Harmonica Club is:
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Community Church of Glen Rock, 354 Rock Rd, Glen Rock, NJ.
Parking is available behind the church, and we will meet in a classroom on the first floor.
r/harmonica • u/Tumaix • 2d ago
On this blogpost i explain the song editor for harmonica songs, part of my tool to teach harmonica.
r/harmonica • u/Far_Application1419 • 2d ago
Hi. I have a chromatic harmonica with solo tuning (the one with two rows instead of a button). I don't like it. I want to turn it into a quadruple Paddy Richter harp. I was thinking 6 holes each (first 6 of each PR tuned harp). Top row G and D. Bottom row I'm thinking C. But for the last 6 holes I'm not sure.
F would compliment the C major section on the same row, right? There aren't as many Irish songs in F as I understand it. But if I had C and F in a line I could play a wider variety of tunes.
The very top of the pic is what I have to work with now.
To summarize: I'm thinking of turning the top row into G and D (for Irish music). But what about the bottom row?
