Re: harmonicas for kids

[Ri58066217@xxxxxxx]

I would suggest the Hohner Rainbow Harmonica.  This is a harmonica that is
played using the "pucker" position ("Spit") position without the use of the
tongue.  The harmonica and book cost about $13.00 from Hohner.  The harmonica
is  plastic with color coded arrows on the instrument.  It is a harmonica
with only one c octave.  The holes are farther apart then in regular
diatonics.  The arrows pointing out are for blow and the arrows point toward
you are for draw.  There is a 32 page book that described how to play the
thing.  I had Hohner send me a model.  The student can learn to play this
harmonica in about 10 to 15 minutes.  I am planning to use it when I team up
with a musical educator (retired), who has a progressive music program at a
local music store in Fairborn, Ohio.  Many kids and adults just pay $10.00 a
week to take lessons.  There are instructors teaching strings, brass
instruments, etc.  Not way for lots of people to get a lot of instruction at
a cheap price.  This harmonica is a great starter for the kids.  When they
get finished with the book and have gained some experience in playing solo or
in a diatonic ensemble, they can progress to the diatonic 3 octave harmonica.
 There seems to by only one 3 octave model around for the diatonic player to
train on for moving from the diatonic to the chromatic.  That model is the
Huang Cadel Soloist.  Same range as the 3 octave chroamtic model, except it
is a diatonic harmonica.  Then the student can proress to the chromatic
harmonica.  Previously, I had thought it was best to start the kids out on a
chromatic, but since examining this Rannbow model, I think it is a fine
harmonica for the young kids to learn how to play the harmonica.  Also, dad
can accompany the kids on his chromatic harmonica, while they play their
Rainbow harmonica.  I hope to arrange some easy music for the model for my
kids.  The music will have to be rather limited in scope when you only have a
one octave diatonic harmoncia to work with.  I will be arranging some two,
three, and four part music for the instrument.

Richard Martin