Harmonica doublers

[jonnyc]

Hi!
Inspired by a recent blues cd I bought, I was wondering if anyone here played harp?
If so, whats a good one to get and any recommended books to get started?

Cheers!

[barelytone]

get one of those big wooden ones, with the strings . . .

[jac2384]

not harp, like a string harp, he means a harmonica

I just started recently too the book i use, comes with a CD also i liek it its called. Harmonca in a flash

[cfile]

Quite a few players use Lee Oscar's but I prefer Horner's. There are several models used for the blues including one specifically called the blues harp, but I always preferred the marine band model. The blues harp model has a little softer reeds for bending, but I think the marine band holds up better. I never really liked the plastic comb which some models have, but it all comes down to what you are used to. The Oscar's have replaceable reeds so that when you overbend them and they don't give a clean sound when you blow (or suck), you can fix it instead of buying a new harp. However, I always found it easier to buy the cheaper marine band and replace the harp. A good place to buy is from Musician's Friend on line, but you can also get them at most music stores. I don't know of any books, I just learned by playing them. Most blues players play crossed harp which means you use a harp in the key of the diatonic note. I think that's right. Anyway, if you are playing in E, use an A harp, if playing in A use a D and so forth. On the other hand if you are playing a tune like Turkey in the Straw or Dixie, you would play in the key of the harp, ie a C harp plays those songs in C. So unless you are going to buy several keys, just figure out the key of your favorite blues song and get a harp to work with on that song. A lot of blues is in E so you can't go wrong with an A harp. Hope all that makes sense.


cliff

[Don]

I mostly play Hohner Special 20s, but I also like the Suzuki Promasters (more expensive).

A great source for learning to play is www.gindick.com. I got my start playing blues from one of his books...

Don

[brettpauley]

I have both Lee Oscars and Honer Special 20s. Both are fantastic harps. I have found that the Oscars are slightly larger and have a little bigger holes.

You can find some good reviews on harps at this site:

http://www.harmonicalessons.com

As far as learning materials, I highly recommend picking up Jerry Portnoy's Blues Harmonica Masterclass (3-CD Box Set). Lots of good stuff that will keep you busy.

[FrankB2]

I use Lee Oskar and Special 20's for diatonic, but don't
fail to look at chromatic harmonicas as well. I use
a Hohner 270 chromatic, and it's pretty cool.

One consideration is that Lee Oskars use stainless steel
cover plates, and the Hohner Special 20 (and 270) use
nickel. Some people have an adverse reaction to nickel
plated harps, so....... Lee Oskars are also available in some
funky tunings. Check out:
Farrell's prices are the best, and the service is great.
http://www.frfarrell.com/index.html

[Troy]

Perhaps he hasn't found this thread, but Sarge from www.worldwidesax.com also plays a pretty mean harp. I have his band's CD and enjoy it a lot. Sings too! The guy is just way too talented.