Re: Who Plays Harmonica?
I play a little and own many harps in all keys. My advice to you, especially if you are just learning to play is to get an inexpensive 5 to 10 dollar harp in C and don't get one with wood in the middle, get plastic. A good harp player can make awesome music on a cheap harp and if you don't yet play there is really no sense buying a quality harp, trust me.
It took me a month practicing every day to learn the simple tune, (ironically enough) Michael row your boat ashore. BUT after I learned that song I could suddenly play other songs I had never practiced. You brain learns where to go for the notes and you don't have to think, it's instinctive.
My favorite style harp is called a special 20 by Honer. The way the harp fits your hand and slides across your mouth is important that's why I said get plastic.
On a side note many people will tell you to get a harp with wood in the middle and tell you you have to soak it in water before you play. The reason for that is when the wood in a harp dries out it shrinks and makes the metal vibrate. A new wood harp is tight and does not need soaking so don't get one new and immediately soak it, just get one with plastic in the middle.
Really, a $5 metal and plastic harp is where to start, and it can make awesome music, really. Seriously.
My Dad has a Chromatic Hohner from when he was a young man, making that harmonica about 60 years old. He can really blow that harp! LOL! It has that button on the side, and I never really gave it much thought. Now I am beginning to realize that the Chromatic style harmonicas can do a lot more than a non-chromatic. Dad's harmonica is in a neat leather box with red velvet lining. Today I see the chromatic styles run from about $120 to $200. Bet Dads old Chromatic is worth a few bucks, no?
