Aug 6
Harping The Blues!
“Harping the Blues” …. you may have never associated that term with a harmonica. But a harmonica can be referred to as a blues harp. Folks who can play blues music on a harmonica are a fascinating bunch. The aim of this blog-site is to go on a little musical journey of discovery and see what can be learned about the blues harp harmonica genre. It will seek out the great players in history and the modern masters as well. Maybe we can find some free harmonica lessons for beginners as well as advanced players and where to buy a decent harmonica !
There’s much more to playing than just simply putting the harmonica up to your mouth and move it about as you blow. It is a serious musical piece. It is a real instrument – which you have to learn to play with lots of practice and even some lessons.
There are some great teachers on the web and tons of tutorial videos on YouTube. You can find videos and websites featuring these amazing artists who stop concert-goers dead in their tracks when they play a screaming blues harp solo.
Let’s search the web for some really cool blues harp stuff – videos, blogs, harmonica lessons and the lot. So, if you want to learn more too – come on the journey. If nothing else you will surely find some great blues harp music for your iPod. Nothing ventured – nothing gained!
Apr 8
What Is the Best Blues Harp?
I am a beginner at the harp and I would like to know what is the best choice in harmonicas for blues? Even though I’m a beginner I would still like a high quality harp. Maybe something in the $30 to $50 dollar range. Thanks in advance.
The old reliable Blues Harp from Hohner is still one of the best. One thing that is so special about this harp is that you can blow or draw air in a certain way to get half tones out of it. Even a chromatic harmnonica cannot get THAT special off tune sound that the Blues harp does. The best keys are G, A , Bb or C. Enjoy!
Mar 6
Johnny Sansone in Slovenija
Feb 27
Beginner Blues Harmonica Lesson – Blues Harp
Hey there – you beginner harmonica players ! This guy is pretty cool and he gives you a great video lesson – check him out !
Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica, C
REQUESTS GO HERE http://www.guitarjamz.com/requests/ THE WEBSITE!! http://www.guitarjamz.com FOLLOW ME where I update first at http://www.twitter.com/martyschwartz also would love it if you subscribed to my PERSONAL PAGE at http://www.youtube.com/martyfs74 This is for anyone that wants to mess around with the harmonica!!! have fun
Duration : 0:9:47
23 comments
Feb 6
How do you read harmonica sheet music?
Harmonica:Introduction to the Basic
Need help lol
The same way you read any other music notation:
http://numbera.com/musictheory/theory/notation.aspx
Reading the music is only half the story. You need to know what key the tune is in so that you can use the right harmonica, and then you need to know where those specific notes are on that harmonica. I don’t play harmonica so I can’t help you with that.
1 comment
Jan 31
Why does my 4 hole draw on my harp/harmonica keep going out of tune?
It took months for it to go out the first time around. I just got a new reed for the harmonica because I screwed up trying to tune it and now a week later the 4 hole draw on the new reed is off again. What’s going on? Playing too hard on the 4 or what?
First thing I’d do is check the comb to make sure there isn’t some kind of flaw that is interfering with the reed plate and flattening the reed. If that checks out, I suspect you are playing really hard. Many people don’t realize that reeds need to be broken in gently before you play them hard. They last much longer that way. Blow/draw over and over again gently.
Gradual increase the force of the blow/draw. I spend about an hour doing this on all my new harps. What you are doing is fatiguing the metal so that it will give on a hard blow/draw without staying flat permanently. I’m not a fan of customized harps myself. I personally feel they’re a gear head ego stroke. Little Walter seemed to do fine with stock harps. But for players who play really hard, it may be a viable alternative. Customs generally have much less leakage, requiring much less force to get the same volume. Something you may want to consider.
5 commentsJan 23
Can you replace the reeds on this harmonica and if so, how do you do it?
Hohner-1896-20-Marine-Band-Harmonica-100320479-i1133674.gc
I got it for my birthday, and I’ve always wanted one but I don’t really know anything about this instrument. Any advice or tips will be useful. Thanks!
I doubt it but you could contact Hohner. If the Harmonica is beyond use. I am pretty sure you can pry off the covers and look at the reed setup. If they are individually mounted, you might be able to install new ones if you can find them. The covers can then be pressed back in place using the small brads or nails that held the covers in place. However for the price of the instrument it isn’t practical.
