Last fall, my uncle Roy called to make his usual pitch to spread the word about playing the harmonica. He thinks everybody, especially kids, should learn to play...to get them interested in something other than TV and video games, and to build their self esteem. Now, I'm no musician, although I have fooled around with the saxophone, clarinet, guitar and electronic keyboard over the years, but learning to play the harmonica was never on my agenda. Roy, who is well into his eighties, has been playing the harmonica for more years that most people live!
The cover of Roys new CD "Just the Beginning"
Anyway, you can imagine how surprised I was to receive a package from Roy some ten days later and containing all kinds of harmonica material, (music, instrument catalog, newsletters), and a small plastic harmonica. Of course I couldn't resist, and so I blew into the thing, and that's all it took...I was hooked! Good job Roy!
With the long winter coming on quickly, I figured that I had the time, and after a few months of practice, long web searches and many, many harmonicas later, I can actually play! Now, I didn't say that I sound any good...I probably don't, but who cares? It's my harmonica, and I'll play it if I want to!
Here's some things I found out: (1) If you want to speed up the learning process, get a good harmonica in the key of G. Don't waste your time like I did; start off with a good one. The key of G is low enough on the scale so that you can hit all the high notes in most of the songs you will want to play. Most web sites will tell you to get a harmonica in the key of C...don't do it! At least not for now. A good 'harp'...the very best diatonic harmonica you can get, is the Seydel 'Blues Solist Pro'. It's not their most expensive harmonica, but it is the easiest to play and has the very best sound. Why? It is made with an old style wooden comb, (see above photo, top right), and the blow/draw holes have been made oval instead of round; a great innovation that makes playing easier. C. A. Seydel Sohne is a German company that's been in business since 1847. They know how to make great harmonicas. Their web site is in German, (you have to switch it to English once you log on), spend some time there but don't order directly through the site; you will end up paying more for your harp. Instead, contact Rupert Oysler who is the company's US representative...order from him and tell him I sent you. But do go to their site; it's full of useful information.
(2) Start building a 'fake book'. That's a book of songs that you like to play. You can get them all for free off the net in harmonica notation called 'tabs'; a much easier method of music notation than having to learn to read music. Under this system, each hole on the harp is numbered (usually from 1 to 10) and an indication of whether to blow or draw a breath through the hole is indicated. Start with a song you know, (I started with Bob Dylan's 'Blowin in the Wind'), and practice, practice, practice. My fake book, (I use an old loose-leaf binder) has grown to over 200 songs! The two best tab sites are: www.harptabs.com and www.harpinanawhinin.com. There are many others, but these two are totally free and have extensive song listings.
