https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:26:29 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/paged/2/#post-385303 Wed, 27 Aug 2014 23:58:19 +0000 Glad to hear you're still at it, Jack. 8)]]> Opinions and Polls Doug_C https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/paged/2/#post-385303 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/paged/2/#post-385181 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:52:59 +0000 Play on! 8) I am still playing harp and guitar. More guitar now than harp. Still play mostly 1st position and still using the Lee Oskars. My wife and I have an acoustic duo and play a couple of small churches in the area.

I recently started using the Hohner Flex Rack for playing harp with guitar. It has a nice feel and quite a bit of adjustability. Pricey though.

We are getting ready to play a benefit Saturday. We play a combination of old gospel blues and some contemporary Christian songs that have the same feel. Needtobreathe has a couple that we use.

Remember any note that you don't blow..sucks! :lol:

Jack]]> Opinions and Polls 1armbandit https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/paged/2/#post-385181 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/paged/2/#post-385179 Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:30:30 +0000
So, who's still playing harp, who's recently added harp to their repertoire, or who's just thinking about learning harmonica? I've got a set of the low-budget Hohner "Piedmont Blues" (A-G, including a B flat), good enough for now. I'd probably practice more if I wasn't concerned about making the dogs howl and La Wife annoyed. :P

BTW, I got here by looking up David Hodge's lesson on "Harvest Moon." That's another one of those lovely little tunes that show Neil Young's "other side." (When he's not being the "Godfather of Grunge." :wink: I like his hard-rockin' stuff, too.)

Play on! 8)]]> Opinions and Polls Doug_C https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/paged/2/#post-385179 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368327 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:10:39 +0000 I'm not the best one to talk on position playing as I like 1st position and some third.
Cross harp (2nd position) for G is indeed a C harp and G is the 3 blow but also the 2 draw. The draw is usually more expressive and lets you bend the note down in steps.

Jack]]> Opinions and Polls 1armbandit https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368327 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368253 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:03:52 +0000
What exactly is Second Position? Or should I say where is second position?

Am I correct in saying that on a C harmonica second position is G? If so that is Blow on the third hole right. I understand that this is a blues thing but if I play along with blues in C does that mean I want a C harmonica played in Second position?

I bought a harmonica book, maybe I should sit down and read it :lol:]]> Opinions and Polls RoundI https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368253 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368175 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:44:42 +0000
I have a regular Hohner 4 hole, Lee Oskar Oskmonica 4 hole, Suzuki 4 hole, Hohner Aerosmith 4 hole and a Shack Up Inn 4 hole hanging on the hat band.
You can actually play them. Key of C and take a huge amount of wind.

Some words I have for beginners is that harps can come with bad reeds and reeds will go quickly on some harps.
Use only enough air to get the notes to sound. Excessive air will damage the reeds.
Clean your mouth before you play, just a quick rinse with water if you haven't been eating, brush your teeth if you have been eating.
Don't share your harps or play anyone's harps (unless you are comfortable sharing a big wet sloppy kiss from them). Even my family won't touch mine.

I came at this backwards from where most of you are, I played harp (far from expert) then took up guitar to have something to play along with.
I still fall back on the harps when nothing is going right on the guitar. Just a short change up then all is right with the world again.

Jack]]> Opinions and Polls 1armbandit https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368175 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368169 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:13:27 +0000 Opinions and Polls jwmartin https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368169 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368166 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:39:56 +0000 There is a respiratory therapist out there somewhere that uses harps to increase lung capacity. It really helped me.

That G is a natural for "Last Dance", I have used it myself JW.

Happy harpin everyone.

Jack]]> Opinions and Polls 1armbandit https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368166 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368128 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:00:32 +0000
I found some tabs on this site, but really I just listen and try to mimic it.

Now I just have to practice playing guitar or bass and harmonica at the same time. :|]]> Opinions and Polls jwmartin https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368128 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368116 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:39:48 +0000
But on a scale of priorities, guitar is #1 - bass comes in a distant second, and keys a very distant third. how the hell do I fit harmonica into that schedule?

:D :D :D

Vic]]> Opinions and Polls Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/how-to-learn-harmonica/#post-368116