Re: [Harp-L] 1) Best starting key? 2) Which keys to buy first? 3) Learning order?

"Suave Blues Man" <res6k2zt@xxxxxxxxxxx> · Fri, 22 May 2009 10:41:21 -0500

Brother Opus,
    A "C" harp is most everybody's starting off point. After that, though 
in no particular order, will be your "G", "A", "Bb", "D" and "F". You'll 
want to note that at http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/artist_listing.htm 
these are the primary keys. Another reference is - 
http://coast2coastmusic.com/diatonic/finding_key.shtml about two/thirds of 
the way down, "Selected CD's - Song Keys".
    A month or so ago we had a big Harp-L discussion on ease of play, cost 
of harps and which ones to get. Some said buy a cheap set, others said buy a 
good quality harp, still others were strong supporters of one brand or 
another. Basically you get what you pay for. Prices have pretty well doubled 
in the last several years but none of the prices will scare you off. There 
are good on-line retailers. (Buy "new" and not "used". Lots of possible 
problems with "harmonicoccus", i.e. bacteria.) And use your local resources 
and stores. (One brand locator is - 
http://hohnerusa.com/dealer_locator.php )
    Basically avoid cheap and high end or "custom" harps at first. Cheap 
will make you feel incapable of playing correctly. And high-end are costly 
and not give you the time to learn technique correctly. This is so that you 
will develop your skills as well as your musical knowledge. And there are 
plenty of resources for the 'how-to' and why's of almost everything. You can 
self-teach yourself, find a club near you or practice with tapes, CD's, 
DVD'sand other musician's or harpers. And on and on.
    A fine example of the publications that are available is "Harmonica for 
Dummies" by Winslow Yerxa available through http://www.amazon.com/ at

http://www.amazon.com/Harmonica-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/047033729X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243004670&sr=8-1
    Another avenue is Harmonica Masterclass. You will quickly see that 
whomever you chose the end result is that you have a new found hobby.
    Some other references are:
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/

http://www.gindick.com/content/jam_room.asp

http://harmonicajam.com/ - Learn to play along with 'background' tracks

http://www.youtube.com/ - Adam Gussow, Jason Ricci, Harmonica History and so 
on

http://www.melbay.com/ - Harmonica Sessions
Brands - In no particular order:
Bends - http://www.bends.com.br/?COD_IDIOMA=2

Hering - http://www.heringusa.com/

Hohner - http://www.hohnerusa.com/

Kay - http://www.kayguitar.com/

Lee Oskar - http://www.leeoskar.com/

Seydel - 
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Categories/News/usa&PageSize=50 
Rupert Oysler U.S. rep.

Suzuki - http://www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas/
    Welcome to harmonica!
Be Blues...And Jazz,
Suave Blues Man
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Opus314" <Opus314@xxxxxxxxx>

To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 9:00 AM

Subject: [Harp-L] 1) Best starting key? 2) Which keys to buy first? 3) 
Learning order?
1) What is the best harp key for a beginner to start with? Most easy
to play?
2) Once you are ready to buy a 2nd, 3rd, etc harp... what keys would
you suggest... say if you were only going to buy 5 to 7 harps to begin
with?
3) Once you have your first 5 to 7 harps... what order would be the
most easy to learn them?
Thanks,
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