New to harmonica? Get this!

Which harmonica should I buy first? if you’ve been asking that question, you found the right video.

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[prodoverjeff]

Many years playing on stage taught me to stick with plastic combs. easy to clean and Golden Melodies seem to fit best staying in tune with a band

[icesnowflake]

Damn. I feel old. I remember when the Marine Band was about the only diatonic harp there was, and they cost $3.50.

[Chaos_and_Harmony]

I'd make one suggestion to future harpists, and that is to pick one of the following keys that you enjoy the sound of the most, hearing a sound you enjoy may encourage you to practice more!
Keys: *G*, *A*, *Bb* (B flat), *C*, or *D*

Timestamps of Playing
Tremolo: 0:33
Chromatic (Hohner CX12): 0:49

Diatonic
Hohner Special 20 (Key of C): 3:59
Hohner Rocket/Rocket Amp (Key of C): 4:25
DaBell Noble (Key of Bb): 4:43
Hohner Crossover (Key of C): 5:40
Sydel 1847 Classic (Key of Ab): 6:43
Amazing 20:
Easton 008K (Key of Bb): 7:41

[toddthing]

That opening riff was cool... bluesy, a little funky, not too fancy but different.

[oglethorpecadwallader]

Which instrument to get first depends on what you want to play. I don't play blues, and the only harp I've ever needed or wanted is a Hohner Echo, with the blow fourth below the tonic tuned up to a minor third (i.e. with a G echo harp, tune the low D up to E.) You lose the big tonic chord on the bottom, but what you get in exchange is the entire I/vi/ii/V progression, which opens up a world of standards, pre-rock pop, and African mbira music, among other things.

[danmarchuk]

The Kongsheng Mars 1 (plastic) and Mars 2 (aluminum) are my go to harps. Comfort, bevelled reed chamber, and round holes that suit my main playing style of a 45 degree angle. Both are airtight, require little adjusting, affordable (Mars 1) and sound like playing guitars with nylon strings, or steel strings respectively and the Mars 2 are stunning! I've mixed their red combs with black lacquer coverplates, or black coverplates with gold combs and others. Quite exquisite!

[DrunkDuckXD]

Just ordered the Hohnor Crossover through your affiliate link because it was on sale.
I played harmonica in highschool but never taught myself formally. I loved that thing though. It was a Hohnor brand something in C, maybe Marina? It did have the nails and a wood core. I carried it everywhere with me, eventually being known as the harmonica guy lol. Eventually it rusted on the inside and I never got another one until now. I'll be so happy when it arrives so I can finally learn it properly and play all the delta blues music I fell in love with over the years

[rongarza]

Oh no, the tone wood argument is back! Hey, your sliding whistle explanation for note bending was tremendous! Good vids.

[jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins]

Jonah: One other thing for your viewers. I tried the DaBell Noble series. The wood comb sounded great but one of the reeds (Hole #10) was stuck. For a few dollars more, you can buy a Hohner Rocket or Rocket Amp, which I love so much I bought the whole set. Hohner also makes a Rocket Low-Tuned series (about $85). I just bought a Low F which is really, really awesome sounding. A friend of mine just bought the Hohner Crossover, which he absolutely loves. For my money, get a Hohner or Seydel 1847 or higher series. Cheers.

[roberto]

One of the best videos I have seen about hamronica

[kim_the_harp]

Nice job Jonah. I agree 100% with everything you said (rare for me). Also loved your Amazing Grace at the end. Always great when folks take a real stand.

[timgehman]

I love the Seydel Low Tone 1847 Bold Body series and right now they are selling about $100 each. Great low sound and good chording. The Suzuki Manji's are the most airtight ones in my mind.

[alanfbrookes]

You failed to mention the most important thing about harmonicas ....if you want to play the blues, or most modern music, in C you need a harmonica in the key of F. Blues guitarists usually start to learn in the key of E, so you need an A harmonica to play along. As far as Marine Band harmonicas are concerned I bought my first one in 1963. It took me about five minutes to learn to play it, and within a few hours I was playing it in a band. By the way, that harmonica still works. I've only had to clean it out by boiling a few times. And yes, I do have harmonicas in all 12 keys available at recording sessions.
To anyone who wants to learn how to play a diatonic harmonic, just buy one and play it. It's the easiest of all instruments.

[CrueLoaf]

I bought a Ozzy Osbourne Hohner Harmonica. Thinking it would be like the Special 20.
It’s not. It’s better! Not sure what the comb is but I love it so far.

[Lucaplayshorts]

Would add the Suzuki Hammond HA-20, has a nice warm tone and is quite responsive, with the 2-draw not hard to get. Pulled it out of the box this past weekend, pretty much brand new while mostly playing the Crossover, and was able to hit the 1-4 bends for the first time after only hitting the 1 bend on the Crossover for a couple months. Both are great harps.

[Mischiou]

Love the info and think I can learn a great deal from you. Just but my 1st Hohner harmonica and gonna try and play it to help ease my asthma symptoms. You've got yourself a new subscriber. Love from Holland.

[christophersherratt]

Jonah
All beginners have heart and want to play
it well, could be so much help for them
with the numbers or scale then telling them when to (blow draw) (inhale exhale) (suck blow) or even
(in and out) on that scales it's all the same to a beginner they would pick it up so fast with repetition, and start exploring them self's on what they could achieve. that's what a beginner needs try it and keep the faith.

[VEXG]

I love my special 20. I have it in key of c and it’s really fun to play. I have several others too. I also have 2 Lee Oskars in key of D and E. These three are my goto harmonicas.

[ADynamicTrio]

Thank you for your wonderful videos there special . You are one great teacher amen.!

[warlock.]

I personally went with the Horner Rocket. I absolutely love it, even if i still can't perform a bend properly 😅 (not the fault of the harp)