Anyone play the harmonica?
- BigVeeGrin
- Posts: 2516
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- Location: Glasgow
Anyone play the harmonica?
Been thinking for years about doing this and releasing my latent Dylan etc
So, how hard is it? What to start with?? Any tips?
So, how hard is it? What to start with?? Any tips?
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
Not the first time an organ has graced your mouth though, is it?
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- TheGingerBeardMan
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Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
I say get down to yer local music shop (if they even still exist?), and have a look at the different types. There's basic ones, small ones, and fancy ones with pitch slide buttons.
I tried many years ago with a blues harp, and by christ, do you need lungs like an athlete! I was fooked beyond belief. It's more than simply blowing and sooking (...that's what she said!) But, it got to a point where I could rattle some VERY basic things off whilst playing along to a couple (emphasis on the couple) of tracks, and even then, I'd lose it halfway through.
Breaking in a harmonica is probably the hardest part, cos all the reeds are solid. Blowing in and out is fine, but when trying to ''bend'' the note up or down, really takes some doing on a new 'monica. You'll think you're never going to get it to bend (oo-er missus!). But, this is when Percy Verance comes in. He's a great help.
And it wasn't hearing the like of Dylan or early Rolling Stones blues that got me started. It was an LP my Father had of Larry Adler. (Cue everyone asking ''who the hell is he?'')
The only bad thing about the harmonica is along the same lines as an accordion - there's no headphone socket to practice with to not upset the neighbours. We've almost all heard a kid at xmas who gets a mouth organ in his stocking (stop tittering! In fact...titter ye not) and within 2 hours the parents lose the plot and the 'monica is never seen again.
OK, adults are a bit more tolerant, and same can appreciate where yer going with it. My best place to practice was either in the woods when out with the dogs, or in the car (as a passenger!). Anyhoo - best of luck with trying it out. YouTube has HEAPS of starter vids and sometimes explains better than buying a book from a shop and trying to figure it out from there.
Ask around to see if there are any local bands playing that use a harp, and if you go up to them and explain what you are wanting to try, they can be very accomodating in giving tips and a quick lesson! - Or, place an advert on Gumtree, asking for starter lessons - there may be many an old guy willing to come out of retirement to teach you, or get you started.
(edited: I noted heaps of obvious spelling mistakes - Typing in the half-dark with the glow of the monitor....must put a light on!)
I tried many years ago with a blues harp, and by christ, do you need lungs like an athlete! I was fooked beyond belief. It's more than simply blowing and sooking (...that's what she said!) But, it got to a point where I could rattle some VERY basic things off whilst playing along to a couple (emphasis on the couple) of tracks, and even then, I'd lose it halfway through.
Breaking in a harmonica is probably the hardest part, cos all the reeds are solid. Blowing in and out is fine, but when trying to ''bend'' the note up or down, really takes some doing on a new 'monica. You'll think you're never going to get it to bend (oo-er missus!). But, this is when Percy Verance comes in. He's a great help.
And it wasn't hearing the like of Dylan or early Rolling Stones blues that got me started. It was an LP my Father had of Larry Adler. (Cue everyone asking ''who the hell is he?'')
The only bad thing about the harmonica is along the same lines as an accordion - there's no headphone socket to practice with to not upset the neighbours. We've almost all heard a kid at xmas who gets a mouth organ in his stocking (stop tittering! In fact...titter ye not) and within 2 hours the parents lose the plot and the 'monica is never seen again.
OK, adults are a bit more tolerant, and same can appreciate where yer going with it. My best place to practice was either in the woods when out with the dogs, or in the car (as a passenger!). Anyhoo - best of luck with trying it out. YouTube has HEAPS of starter vids and sometimes explains better than buying a book from a shop and trying to figure it out from there.
Ask around to see if there are any local bands playing that use a harp, and if you go up to them and explain what you are wanting to try, they can be very accomodating in giving tips and a quick lesson! - Or, place an advert on Gumtree, asking for starter lessons - there may be many an old guy willing to come out of retirement to teach you, or get you started.
(edited: I noted heaps of obvious spelling mistakes - Typing in the half-dark with the glow of the monitor....must put a light on!)
Last edited by TheGingerBeardMan on Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
Good post GBM...
I know who Larry is...
Not sure about the last line tho...
''there may be many an old guy willing to come out of retirement to teach you, or get you started.''
Asking an old man to show you how to blow & suck...
Your gonna have to word that advert very, very carefully ...
Still if you ask him nicley he might take his dentures out first...
I know who Larry is...
Not sure about the last line tho...
''there may be many an old guy willing to come out of retirement to teach you, or get you started.''
Asking an old man to show you how to blow & suck...
Your gonna have to word that advert very, very carefully ...
Still if you ask him nicley he might take his dentures out first...
Making up since 2007, sometimes it's true...Honest...
-
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Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
I've been looking into playing the Harmonica, been learning to play the guitar for about 8 years now and taking exams, also learning to play the Jaw harp, which is quite fun.
I've not been able to source a tutor for Harmonica, but there are some really good basic tuition videos on YouTube.
I've not been able to source a tutor for Harmonica, but there are some really good basic tuition videos on YouTube.
- bigtwinthing
- Posts: 5577
- Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:52 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
our Sharon does, but not Our Monica just the police siren thingy
missing the noise, not the vibes. However never say never!
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
And it startsKev L wrote:Not the first time an organ has graced your mouth though, is it?
SH#T HAPPENS!!!!!!!!
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
Kev L wrote:Not the first time an organ has graced your mouth though, is it?
lmfao
the older i get,the faster i was
- Saintsman27
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:28 pm
- Location: St Helens , Merseyside
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
Seriously M8tey ... Have a look at this guy playing a lurvely " Delta Frost " Bushman harmonica ..
probably the most bluesy and sweetest harmonica one can try ... although Hohners , Suzukis (yes
they make them ) are very good ... Bushmans can be purchased in the UK ... try Eagle Music shop
at Huddersfield .. about £30.00. get one to your taste ..
Now enjoy this little clip from a busker ... making one " talk " ... just incredible
http://www.bushmanharmonicas.com/
probably the most bluesy and sweetest harmonica one can try ... although Hohners , Suzukis (yes
they make them ) are very good ... Bushmans can be purchased in the UK ... try Eagle Music shop
at Huddersfield .. about £30.00. get one to your taste ..
Now enjoy this little clip from a busker ... making one " talk " ... just incredible
http://www.bushmanharmonicas.com/
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
Bill Clinton played one or was it the other way round
told you not to but oh no you knew better
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
macdee wrote:Bill Clinton played one or was it the other way round
i think that was monica playing the pink oboe
the older i get,the faster i was
- BigVeeGrin
- Posts: 2516
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:41 pm
- Location: Glasgow
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
cheers all - thanks for the tips and Saintsman - great "the magic is in the frost". Awesome!
How far have you got?? I did classical guitar for a few years, years back. Might dust that down....... Also never heard of a jaw harp - interestingStormingHonda wrote:I've been looking into playing the Harmonica, been learning to play the guitar for about 8 years now and taking exams, also learning to play the Jaw harp, which is quite fun.
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
AKA Jews harp...BigVeeGrin wrote: cheers all - thanks for the tips and Saintsman - great "the magic is in the frost". Awesome!
How far have you got?? I did classical guitar for a few years, years back. Might dust that down....... Also never heard of a jaw harp - interestingStormingHonda wrote:I've been looking into playing the Harmonica, been learning to play the guitar for about 8 years now and taking exams, also learning to play the Jaw harp, which is quite fun.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew's_harp
Twang, biong, twang ect ect.
Making up since 2007, sometimes it's true...Honest...
- firestorm_al
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Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
"Can you guess what it is yet ... ?"MacV2 wrote:Twang, biong, twang ect ect.
Re: Anyone play the harmonica?
My granda played the mouth harp
Then after a few drinks he used the cork from a bottle tapping it off his teeth
That was his party piece and was always asked to do it as the night went on
Then after a few drinks he used the cork from a bottle tapping it off his teeth
That was his party piece and was always asked to do it as the night went on
told you not to but oh no you knew better