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

[Richard Eisenberg <catketch2@xxxxxxxxx>]

Instruments for Beginners
I think it is always best to get a beginner a good instrument.

It will:
Sound better- so they will enjoy it more and want to play it.
It is easier to play- so they will play it more and advance at a quicker
rate.
If they quit playing it it, it is still a good instrument that you can clean
and use.
With harps, this is only a $30 investment.

Obviously, there are limits; you wouldn't give a 9 year old a vintage Martin
guitar to run around with. However, they should be using it when you are
there to keep an eye on it!

The same logic works for tools, too.  Get good ones.
Rich

On Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 1:05 PM, Michelle LeFree <
mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 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
>
>
>



www.bayfrontcenter.org