r/harmonica

Hi I've been learning on this Suzuki. I like playing and decided to get serious. So I ordered some fancy Seydels. Of course after I ordered I realized a problem I have with the Easy Rider. Draw notes taste like plastic. If I play for more than 5 min I feel like I've inhaled some chemical that I shouldn't have. The Seydels I ordered also have plastic combs. Is this going to be an issue? Should I try to cancel the order and find harps with wooden combs?

I came across this image (thanks to this fine sub!), and while I know little about music, I think crossed harp is another way of saying second position. Am I correct or way off base? Thanks!

Since I'm known as the harmonica guy in my community, I was volunteered to conduct a "harmonica station" for a music/arts-themed day for kids at a local church in a few weeks time. The event format is a station-based schedule where kids aged 7-12 divided into their age groups, they take turns to go to different stations to try out different stuff, e.g. drums station, arts & craft station, harmonica station.

I've got about 20 minutes for each grade and there may be like approximately 5-15 kids per session, depending on attendance. Apparently each kid will be given a cheap harmonica (RIP their parents), I specifically requested for diatonic harmonicas because it's tremolo harmonicas that are usually peddled to kids or uninformed people around here. I know tremolos might be easier fork ids to play, but diatonics are what I'm familiar with and I what I wish to introduce to the kids, it'll be more useful in the long term.

This is my first time doing something like this, let alone properly teaching anyone harmonica basics, so I was wondering if anyone here could provide some tips on how I could do this. I don't expect to turn anyone into harp maestros in 20 minutes, I just expect myself to give a crash course on the basics of the diatonic harmonica, hopefully planting a seed of getting any kid to get interested in pursuing this instrument, if not, the very least just have fun and get some basics of musical theory.

Here's a tentative plan of what I have in mind:

• Verbal introduction on harmonica and other wind instruments, maybe with a poster with pictures

• Quick explanation on the the difference between diatonic, tremolo, and chromatic harmonicas. I have all three to demonstrate.

• Basic music theory - the C Major scale and Do Re Mi, using this chart.

  • I will have a melodica or piano to help illustrate this. As these are mostly Chinese kids, many of them would have some piano lessons (sorry for the stereotyping haha, but I'm allowed to stereotype my own race), so this would be half the battle won for music theory. It's more for those kids who had zero music lessons before, or a refresher.

• Teach harmonica basics: hole numbers, blow, draw, embouchure. Use this chart to show note placements

• After they played around with their harps for a bit, get them to try playing basic songs with tabs, songs like Mary Had A Little Lamb

Anyone got any suggestions on how to improve this?

Il suono non è ancora pulito, però dopo alcuni mesi ho preso una buona fluidità.

Suono una Hohner Special 20 C

Hello! I made a post a while back about getting a Special 20 set for my birthday. Got some good feedback and am ready to pull the trigger. I plan to get this in C,D,A,G, but what should be my 5th key? Explanations appreciated. Leaning towards Bb or Eb or F due to a previous recommendations. Thanks!

Why 2nd Position Matters on Harmonica

If you’re learning harmonica, understanding 2nd position is a big step.

In this lesson, I break down what 2nd position actually means, how the blow and draw chords relate to the key you’re playing in, and why 2nd position works so well for blues.

Hope this helps anyone who’s been trying to wrap their head around harmonica positions!

If you’re interested, I’ve been building up a lot more harmonica lessons on my YouTube channel:

🎵 YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@RobOliverMusic

🎵 Harmonica Mondays Playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg_7456hUyWtOvFvD7i_D12EZxNCrJc1l&si=4uVStHcrrSKbF42z

I bought a walther 1020 (C major diatonic) harmonica after I played with one lee Oskar which belonged to my mother and I liked it , but to play what i want I need a c major I believe so I bought a cheap one and I'm asking if it's good for a beginner ;3

I had my friend write me this good-luck poem about harmonicas for my tip box, and I wasn't expecting to feel as seen as this made me.

Playing on the street each weekend for the past year has been one of the best decisions I've made for myself in a long time. I've gotten to hone my skill and improved drastically. I've become part of an incredible community of artists that breathe life into the city through poetry, tarot, painting, juggling, clowning, music, and more. I've become a staple that people expect to see and hear when they go out downtown. I've made so many new friends (some of whom were unsheltered people who have since found housing ❤️ and unfortunately, some i may never see again)

I've had good nights and made stupid amounts of money, and I've had incredibly challenging and rough nights that have tested my resolve.

I've wanted to be a Harmonica player since I was 13. My mom bought me my very first "official" harmonica that wasnt a toy, and I spent years terrorizes my family and friends with horrendous metallic screeches and abbrasive multi-chorded heavy breathing until i started to feel confident enough to play more seriously and publicly. I'm incredibly blessed to have so many gifted artists in my life who've given me so much love and support and inspiration to pursue the things that sing to my heart. I don't know who I would be without a Harmonica in my mouth, and it's not for the lack of love from these people.

Here's to the tin sandwich and to my 13-year old inner child, elated because we're following our dream.

Hey what should I buy Jaurez JR10HM or Kadence T10/T10-BK

My Budget is around 350₹

So can't choose a 600-1000 one