Re: [Harp-L] Best starter harp for a young boy - teaching aids

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peter Langlois asks:
> A friend of mine at work has young boy who recently got a toy harmonica and
> really started to take to it. Individual notes and rhythm. Then a sibling
> stepped on and broke it. I an looking for a recommendation for something
> that will play adequately at under $20. A beginner harp, but durable enough
> to survive a boy. Also, what good learning aids for young kids exist?

Peter, you didn't mention the boy's age, nor did you say what kind of 
"toy" harmonica he was given. There are some nice harmonicas that cost 
less than $20; some have been mentioned. If the youngster is old enough 
to take care of a nice harp and not lose it, I'd step up another $10 and 
get him a Lee Oskar diatonic. They're nearly bullet proof and come in a 
nice plastic case. One would last him for years unless he really abuses it.

If, on the other hand, the young feller isn't old enough to own a real 
harp like the LO, I'd think seriously about the colorful Hohner "Clearly 
Colorful" plastic diatonics.

http://coast2coastmusic.com/cgi-bin/cart/HHCCH48.html

While you're at it, pick up one of these inexpensive nylon belt cases 
(just mentioned recently on the "L"). It will help him keep track of it, 
keep it clean and protect it and it would help add that elusive "cool" 
factor that is sometimes key to a youngster's acceptance of a gift:

http://coast2coastmusic.com/cgi-bin/cart/BRKG45889W.html

You could get 9-10 of these fun harps for your $20. They are 
"regulation" size, and in spite of their colorful appearance and low 
cost aren't a toy at all from a player's standpoint. They play and bend 
well and sound nice. Yet they are inexpensive enough that if he loses or 
steps on one, pop out another. Let him take the broken one apart to see 
what's "under the hood." Amaze him by showing how you can make a reed 
sound by "puckering" and drawing on a naked reed plate. They gave these 
babies away a few years ago at a SPAH banquet. I was quite pleasantly 
surprised at how playable they are OTOB and had no trouble starting my 
young niece on them. I wish I had a bucket of them to give to kids now 
that I think of it. Just grab your favorite "C" harp and let the lessons 
begin!

Michelle