Harmonica Players

TheBlueWolf

Anyone else dabble?

It's not something I regularly play but I'm planning to get back into it. I've got a couple of beginner books to get me started and a Marine Band harmonica in C.

I thought it'd be good to share some tips on playing etc

Bridgehouse

Been playing for years. If you get chance, try a Hammond brand harmonica (made by Suzuki) - superb sound. Bit hit and miss for bending, but great tone.

TheBlueWolf

I'll keep an eye out. ATM bending is impossible but I'll get the hang of it soon

Bridgehouse

Mouth shape internally - you're trying to change the pressure enough to cause the reed to distort as it vibrates. I find lowering my jaw and increasing pressure really helps to get the first bends off. They will come..

EricTheWeary

I've played a bit for a long time, just do it as an incidental noise in the current band. 
It is hard to learn well because you can't see what other people are doing and there can be more than one way to do some things. 
Can be a nightmare to amplify and there's a whole world of GAS around that. Although a vocal mic through the PA is what many people do you can end up cupping your hands around it and causing feedback, just takes a bit of practice. 
I used to practice scales with bends in to try to get accurate which is useful and your ear can quickly tell you if it's right. So long since I've done that I'd have to look up now how to do it! Generally I've forgotten most of what I learned I think but I've still got the basic techniques like bends and head rolls. 
Here's a rusty, wheezy simple riff:

Bridgehouse

Yeah, it's all about your embouchure. 

I just developed one over time. Playing flute and whistle helped though - specially for breathing control

usedtobe

Used to, but haven't played for years..

TheBlueWolf

My experience of playing guitar has helped my ears, it's the physical side that holds me back. I'll give your suggestions a try though

Bridgehouse

TheBlueWolf said:

My experience of playing guitar has helped my ears, it's the physical side that holds me back. I'll give your suggestions a try though

Breathing control is key. Do you sing as well? Phrasing is similar for me. And a bit like singing, how you shape your mouth and position your tongue affects the colour and tone of the note.

Have a look online at tonguing as well. (Careful, now!)

TheBlueWolf

@Bridgehouse I sing a little which is helping with my breath control. I'll look for tounging via non porn sights lol

Bridgehouse

TheBlueWolf said:

@Bridgehouse I sing a little which is helping with my breath control. I'll look for tounging via non porn sights lol

Of course, it's about practise - but I found playing harmonica with other instruments live really brought my playing along..

mr-mac

Getting back into it... Mostly improv blues, never found bending a problem even from day one but maybe that's cos played trumpet back then too and used to bend notes on that too.  Try altering angle of harmonica in mouth to alter direction your blowing into it and constrict the air flow. as you straighten pitch will return up to correct.... Just play about with that and suddenly you'll bend a note and next thing you know you'll no understand how you couldn't do it.

just enjoy and get a few keys you can play in a jam with and see if any blues open mics you can sit in a few songs with...

a D for playing in A is a very good idea.  Tbh if starting out I wouldn't even look past the sets of Swan ones they are actually very good... Remember seeing a review once that made me laugh out loud.  Guy was playing blues on intro and it sounded seriously good quality.   then he went into review by holding up harmonica he was playing on intro which was the swan.  He then proceeded to compare to his usual choice (higher cost).  What's weird is suddenly the sound on swan wasn't near as good as intro (and you could see him playing intro and straight to holding it up so it was defo the swan on intro) but somehow as soon as review section started it didn't sound as good but his expensive one did.  I listened a good few times even with good headphones and tbh I am 100% sure he was deliberately making swan sound not as good making bends sound hard etc....  On intro he played it sounded every bit as good as his expensive one.  I have played swan ones quite a lot and unless you are playing as main player in a band and willing to spend a lot of money then I don't think you'll get anything appreciably better in the midrange choice.  What's not to like a set of 7 or even a full set isn't much different in cost than a couple of more recognized name harmonicas.  If your not a name snob then I honestly say that the alternatives won't offer a better tone or anything, as I say until you get to some proper expensive kit.

you want a distorted sound like heavier Chicago blues a cheap way to get you going at least (especially if you find s/h) try a joyo American sound pedal.  Actually works quite well once play about with gain, cabinet and tone controls.  A small valve head would've ideal even cheap gear4music one but it most likely will need preamp valves changed to lower gain a bit

Mostly have fun, jam with friends or find some bluesy open mics, get along and see if anyone (even hosts) you can sit in with

McSwaggerty

I have been playing blues harp for years, and can tell you its not as simple as it looks. Its a lot more than blowing, sucking and bending notes. Its all about the feel and the groove.

Check this YT of Rick Estrin below to see what I mean....dynamite...

Bridgehouse

McSwaggerty said:

I have been playing blues harp for years, and can tell you its not as simple as it looks. Its a lot more than blowing, sucking and bending notes. Its all about the feel and the groove.

Absolutely - it's a lot like tin whistle - a stupidly simple instrument, but very complex and involving to get it to feel right

TheBlueWolf

I play blues guitar so I'm aware it's more than just playing the notes. I can get a bluesy vibe going on the harp which is keeping me amused for now

fretmeister

I've got a really nice Yamaha that I dabble with.

I'm no good, but I like the noise it makes.

stimpsonslostson

I played quite a lot a couple of years but have lapsed since the kids were born- it's not an instrument you can easily play quietly.

I prefer golden melody or lee Oskar harmonicas to marine band ones- the plastic comb makes them easier to clean and also more airtight giving easier bends. 

I took lessons from a guy called Tomlin Leckie, here's his YouTube tutorial channel. He's an excellent teacher- I'd recommend his stuff.



the other great Online teacher i found is Adam Gussow, he has a YouTube channel too... Here's his website:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/home.html

stimpsonslostson

Here's the master at work- James Cotton

McSwaggerty

 Aaaah James Cotton who recently passed. I learned so much just by listening to him.......and Big Walter Horton, Sonny Terry, Little Walter ...etc etc. Anybody wanting to learn to play good blues harp has got to be into blues music in the first place......live and breathe it.....listen to all you can, listen and learn.....try playing along to various blues progressions, whether it is guitar blues, country blues, swing or jump blues.....all will bring great benefits ...and slowly but surely it will all come together.......

axisus

I can get some cheesy tunes out of a harmonica - there's no place like home, when the saints go marching in, darling Clementine etc.

EricTheWeary

I think the best British blues harp player I've seen is Giles King. He plays with a few different bands and does the odd workshop, worth looking out for.