Re: [Harp-L] Hello and Introduction

[tom ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

Hello, Rooty.  You wrote:
> I have not chosen a musical genre, if that's what you mean.  Would genre
> determine the best harmonica?  I don't think I want to limit myself to just
> one genre.

_______
Ummm... to an extent, your genre may indeed determine the harp you 
start with.  If you intend to learn to read music, and, say, pursue 
classical material, you most assuredly would want a chromatic.  If 
you intend to pursue jazz, you may also want a chromatic (although 
there are those who do very well with a diatonic, via advanced 
techniques of bending and overblowing.)

If you are primarily interested in blues, folk, country, etc., you 
would probably do best with a diatonic, at least to start with.  In 
fact I would suggest a 10-hole diatonic as your first instrument, 
regardless of genre, in that they are simply easier for a new player 
to get around on, and to understand.  You can always add a chromatic 
to your arsenal later, if you wish.

> __________
> My learning curve is such that I believe I think I might know (did I
> qualify that enough?) what you mean by diatonic and chromatic.  Diatonic is
> a 'regular' harmonica and chromatic is the kind of harmonica that Stevie
> Wonder plays, that has that little push bar on the side that allows one to
> change notes by pushing this button.  [Please feel free to correct any and
> all of my terminology.  I won't take offense, unless you are offensive.]

___________
In general that is correct, although there are exceptions to every 
rule -- for example there are (rarely seen) chromatics that do not 
have slides (i.e. the Hohner 263 and/or Polyphonias.)  But in general 
you are correct.

It might be instructive to pay a visit to Hohner's web site at 
http://www.hohnerusa.com and take a look at all the different types 
of harmonicas they manufacture -- there are dozens to chose from, and 
this is just *one* maker -- there are also several other fine 
manufacturers to explore (Lee Oskar, Tombo, Huang, Herring, Suzuki, 
Seydel, etc etc.)

You will no doubt get several different responses to your query about 
a good first harmonica.  My own humble recommendation would be a 
Hohner Special 20 in C. Then you would want to pick up one of the 
many basic instructional book/CDs available.  If you later find that 
you are interested in a particular genre, no matter what style you 
eventually choose, there will be at least one instructional for you.
__________

> I probably should have mentioned in my introductory message that I can't
read a note of music.  I really am a neophyte.

_________
Although it certainly *helps* to know how to read, I've found that 
it's not absolutely essential, provided one has an understanding of 
basic theory, patterns, chord changes, keys, etc., all of which will 
(hopefully) come with time and with playing.  While I'm not proud of 
this fact, I've played professionally for over 35 years and still 
cannot sight-read. And of course, my favorite blues player, Mr. Sonny 
Terry, couldn't read anything -- he was blind.

In any event, you've already found a huge resource, by stumbling onto 
Harp-L.  The amount of cumulative knowledge on this board is quite 
remarkable, and (for the most part) folks here seem to get along well 
and play nicely with the other kids.  :)

Welcome aboard, cheers and all best,

Tom Ball
Santa Babs
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan
http://www.tomballkennysultan.com

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