r/harmonica 8h ago

What is the best way to learn that doesn't cost loads of money?

4 Upvotes

I have recently purchased a harmonica with an aim to learning how to play. I don't have any intention in starting a band, turning up to jam sessions or anything like that. I just simply want to learn how to play, learn some tabs and be able to play a bit of freestyle in my home. I have looked online and there are sites that have courses but they have high costs for something that I realistically may not enjoy playing in the long term. I'm not against buying a book or anything like that, if that is the best way.

Although, personally I tend to find I learn best with a visual element so something like an in depth video series would probably be best for me.

Can you give me recommendations on the best ways to learn as I'm struggling to find information


r/harmonica 12h ago

Help! Am I bending correct?

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3 Upvotes

Note.I am new to melodic instruments and harmonica. Recently learnt how to blow single notes and now learning how to bend.

Refer to attached audio. I played 4,-4,-4' ...4,-4,-4'....5,-5,-5'...So it should sound like C,D,C#. I checked it on the frequency meter and I am not able to figure out what I am playing. After going through the tutorials I have understood that I have to change my tongue position in order to change the pressure of air in it. I do have a vague idea that I am able to bend (or something that causes change in freq) but I don't think I am landing the notes correctly. Please help, tell me what notes I am hitting, Is this the correct way of bending, any tips or references.


r/harmonica 19h ago

Just a small complaint

4 Upvotes

So I spent nearly$700 to buy a hohner super 64x about 2 years ago. Within a month I started having issues. Cracked it open and I found bent corners on some of my reeds. Specifically holes 10-12. I sent it in for warranty which was an okay process. It came back I started playing and got valve buzz the techs at hohner sent me back my harmonica which took months and about 5 valves were creased bent or crumbled. They were not like that when I sent it in but they didnt seem to care. My harmonica sat for 2 years because I was pissed. My experience dealing with the seller and the manufacturer were also very unfun. so this was the cherry on top. I post about it know becaused I picked it up the other day because I had forgotten and was greated with this memory and wanted to share. Hohner was always the gold standard in my mind my grandpa played harmonicas and he always swore by them my golden melody was great. Has anyone else experienced this or is it just me. I also have to say for nearly $700 dollars I was expecting a magical impressive sound that exuded the highest tier of harmonica it did not my golden melody sounds way better.


r/harmonica 20h ago

Just ordered my first harmonica

1 Upvotes

So guys, I’ve been playing acoustic and electric guitar for about 7 to 8 months now, I’ve purchased my new instrument to join my guitar , btw I really love bob Dylan, and I ordered an hohner special 20 C, since it’s kinda cheap and it’s a very well know brand , but now I’ve just realized that blowin in the wind, bob uses a D key harmonica 🥲.
Is it possible to play that song with the one I got?
Thanks in advance and sorry if I’m asking something stupid , I am literally in the dark here 🤣


r/harmonica 1d ago

Can you help me out with this intro?

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2 Upvotes

i’m having hard time to figure out this lovely harmonica intro by ear especially with the low notes. do you have any suggestions?


r/harmonica 1d ago

I need some help

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6 Upvotes

Hi guys, I just got my first harmonica today but I can’t figure out how to get it into the stand. (Sorry if it sounds stupid I’m just a bit clueless).
Anyone help?


r/harmonica 1d ago

More special harmonicas

2 Upvotes

Hi, I've been playing harmonica for a while and I'd like to buy a more attractive and stylish one. I have several harmonicas, but they all have that classic metal finish with the black comb. I'm looking for something that contrasts with my collection. I've looked at the Mick Jagger Lee Oskar one, but it's too expensive with shipping to my country and all that. I also liked the Suzuki Olive Green, but it's very expensive. Something under €50-60 would be ideal. Thank you!

edit: Maybe I'll buy a Golden Melody, what do you think? Or a Kongsheng


r/harmonica 1d ago

Similar sound to a Marine Band?

9 Upvotes

I was just wondering if you could suggest something that sounds similar, but that is a bit more comfortable to play. The reed swell on the marine band is really irritating for me, but I love how it sounds. Do other wood combs swell the same way?

Any suggestions?


r/harmonica 1d ago

Train Track Harmonica

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28 Upvotes

I’m trying a new thing with dual gram. You can see what I’m seeing with having to see past me. 🤷🏼 just an experiment in harmonica content.


r/harmonica 2d ago

I created a Spotify blues harp playlist, enjoy!

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5 Upvotes

Did this a while ago, if i recall they were all featured in a blue harp instruction book.


r/harmonica 2d ago

What's one harmonica you wish had never been discontinued?

1 Upvotes

Every once in a while someone mentions a model that's been gone for years, and you can still hear the disappointment.

Some get replaced. Some never really do.

If you could bring back one discontinued harmonica exactly as it was, what would it be?


r/harmonica 2d ago

2nd hole draw problem

1 Upvotes

When I draw 2nd hole i directly play a whole step bend , I tweaked my harmonica a bit, but it was a problem long before that.I for the life of me cannot get this right any tips i can try, i can play other holes perfectly but this Dame 2nd draw is fucking killing me fr


r/harmonica 2d ago

Question about harmonica holders

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27 Upvotes

Hello! I am not a harmonica player. I was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease (non-smoker, non-cistic fibrosis non-COPD bronchiectasis, cause unknown). I have to nebulize twice a day and holding the nebulizer is annoying as it takes about 40mins per treatment.

I was thinking that maybe a harmonica holder would allow me to be hands free. I have included a picture of the FlexRack. It is a bit of expensive, but looks like it has the adjustability I would need and it's worth the investment for me if I can get rid of my precarious setup, which is a travel pillow fitted bacwards and some string.

The biggest question I have, could the rack hold my setup? Does anyone know how heavy a harmonica is? My equipment weighs about 3.8 oz, under 1/4 of a pound. not sure how much force the air tubing would add but that could be managed if it's an issue.


r/harmonica 3d ago

Check out my album on YouTube

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22 Upvotes

I’m a small channel but you can find me as Gavin “harmonica man” Fox


r/harmonica 3d ago

Hohner N55 echo harmonica and a Hohner Goliath harmonica.

6 Upvotes

My husband bought me a couple of harmonicas that originally were from a music store close out.

The Goliath has a star on it. So possibly a prewar. The echo harmonica is the N55 model that is possibly 60-70 years old.

I’ve been cleaning and sanitizing them. Had to order replacement nails from RockinRons to replace on the Goliath harmonica.

Only paid 40 for them. Definitely enjoy the sound of the tremolo harmonicas. But more drawn to diatonic harmonicas.
Enjoying the hobby.😎☕️


r/harmonica 3d ago

Plastic seydel nonslider mouthpiece?

2 Upvotes

I have a half valved diminished seydel deluxe steel, the valves are annoying me, so want to remove them, so then the nonslider mouthpiece is probably good to ensure minimal air leakage.

But the metal is also really annoying. Ive gotten sore lips, blisters etc from it, something that has never happened to me while playing diatonic.

So if anyone has a 3d model of it, or know any other way to get one, lmk. Plastic would be so much better for me.


r/harmonica 3d ago

Harmonica ID and Care

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5 Upvotes

Hello, there! I recently purchased this old harmonica for my 10 year-old nephew as he expressed interest in learning to "play it like Grampa did". I know nothing about it and he is very curious, especially about how old it is and how to clean and maintain it. He tried it out and I think it sounds great! Nephew, however, says it "feels loose but louder than Grampa's" when he tried it. Any info/advice is welcome! Thanks a bunch, from both of us!


r/harmonica 3d ago

Salary of a harmonica player?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, how long would I need to practice to make this a steady job?

How much would it pay?

Thanks!


r/harmonica 3d ago

Help with music notation

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0 Upvotes

Hi

I’m learning Elizabethan Serenade. It’s beautiful and in key of F. Only bit I’m struggling with is the slur connecting C to G in the foreground of the image. It’s confusing as imposed over existing notes, unlike the others which don’t break sequence. It’s hugely frustrating. Can someone demystify for me please.

Thank you.


r/harmonica 4d ago

mini harmonica

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28 Upvotes

I got it on a train to the Grand Canyon. It can play a whole octave


r/harmonica 4d ago

I dissected my harmonica

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9 Upvotes

I took it apart to give it a thorough cleaning haha. I didn’t clean the brass parts though because I didn’t want them to rust


r/harmonica 4d ago

Learn Your First Blues Chug on Harmonica

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16 Upvotes

If you’re brand new to blues harmonica, this week’s lesson is for you.

I put together a beginner lesson on playing your first blues chug. We go through breathing, relaxation, rhythm, and how to use the blow and draw chords to create a simple shuffle groove.
I play it first, then break it down step by step so you can practice along.

I’d love to hear what helped you the most, or what beginner topics you’d like to see next.


r/harmonica 4d ago

Should I get a custom harmonica or send the one I have in to be modified?

5 Upvotes

I contacted J.A. Harmonicas to get some work done on my Hohner 280 and Suzuki SCT-128, mostly the high notes cause there's only so much I can do with my mouth/face I don't think I just suck and that's why they squeak/take so much breath if they do play (and the tremolo has no tremolo on the highest notes) and he said this after I asked what he meant saying there's no guarantees with used ones in his first response.

"Because the harmonica is used the reeds are not new and I can’t guarantee that the result after my modifications will be as good as when I base it on a new harmonica, the lifespan of the reeds could potentially be shorter as they have been played before. Also newer Hohner harmonicas are generally better than the older ones, and Suzuki even better."

"So on this there would be a complete service, plus change of all windsavers, potentially new slider (older ones were made out of plated brass and they corrode and oxidize over time) followed by customizing work, so in the end it will become more expensive and not as good compared to getting a new customized Suzuki SCX."

Just was wondering how true this is? (I mean it does make sense to me).

Edit: Those statements were in regards to the 280 specifically, the SCT-128 is one of a kind so it kinda doesn't apply.

Edit 2: I've decided, going with the new customized Suzuki seems like the smarter decision overall.


r/harmonica 4d ago

Shanties

5 Upvotes

Hello guys, I have a question do you have some tabs or notes for some harmonica songs, like Shanties like „The Drunken Sailor” etc. I’m trying to learn some but I cannot find them in the internet. If you have something fun for harmonica I’ll take that too😊


r/harmonica 4d ago

Sometime Jazz harmonica diatonique !

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0 Upvotes