I fully endorse your views , to play a diatonic think PF the song you know best try to sing it couple of times then start playing trying to sing the same song thru your Harp you will be amazed you can do it.
Its very true, practice and you will learn... I've bougth a cheap harmonica and Im doing my best. I think I should buy something better one in this days.
Great story brother! My wife just bought me a ten hole plastic body harmonica as a stocking stuffer. I put it in my car and have been trying to learn by ear during my commutes to work and back. What's funny.. is that I had almost forgot that my grandfather gave me a metal body harmonica when I was a small boy 30 years ago, that even came with a little carrying case. It's a Kay wood body with brass and steel plating. Your video has inspired me to step it up and learn this great instrument!
Hohner Marine Bands kicks ass!!!!! I picked one up in the key of C to start playing. Great decision. You seem like a pretty cool guy. I wouldn't mind seeing some instructional videos from you (or just some more stories)
you are right the first song I ever learned was O suesana the one you just played since then I ve learned to play other songs as well and it all started when I learned to play that all by ear.
@SweenMe That's how I learned pretty much everything, LOL! Kickin up and down and passin time amusing myself, next thing ya know I figured out another song. I learned "Mercedes Benz" completely by accident, just playin for fun and puttin things together.
I just started to learn the harmonica myself and currently know 2 songs ( 'shanendoah' and 'oh susanna', trying to learn 'danny boy' right now) and I have to say that it was a lot easier to learn these songs when I knew how to blow clear crisp single notes and actually had "harmonica notes" to follow. But then again that's just me.
There are so many tunes that cannot be played on the 10 hole diatonic. Anything with a sharp or flat note for starters. Have borrowed them from other people to check if I had a crap one. I use a 10 hole chromatic and it has solved all my problems. I have found of the 3 types the diatonic offers the lowest range of tunes. It does, however have the best sound quality.
I started by trying to learn by tablature, I hated it and couldn't follow fast enough.
I wanted to learn to read score, and still want to learn it someday.
The best, fastest, and easiest for me was to learn to play by ear. I can play along with anything now with this method, and it really doesn't take long to learn the patterns of your favorite songs.
Good ol navy, i like his stories and he is fundamentally correct with his delivery, What he is saying in a nutshell is feel out that Mo Jo, you will know you touched it when you pick up your harp and your head has music in it b4 you even blow on it. good tuition if you have raw talent and just want to connect.
i just bought a blues harp B to learn on, this is alright since i am just learning and playing by myself correct? my dad plays and recommended a C but the only place i knew of was out...
sweet, i was just looking this up cuz i want to learn to start playing th blues in conjuction with my guitar. turns out i have that exact same harmonica right in my hands. an M.Hohner 10-key diatonic key of C. sweet...
Easiest instrument to start out with but the hardest to master. I learned really quick but never learned beyond the basic single notes. I now play guitar which was difficult at first but now it is easier for me to play and I'm able to advance much quicker than harmonica was.
Just got mine the other day and the video that came with it saying that its simple made me think "No way am i gonna be able to do this". But now i am just gonna try playing along to music until it come naturally. Thanks for this exellent info video. 10/10
Excelent video, i am getting a harmonica soon and hope to learn to play by ear like i played the piano before. I personally liked the part where you showed you can play the same song basically with single notes or not. Should make the learning much easier.
Thank you for this good video and tips, it was fun to watch!
Thank's for the tips. I'm in the Navy my grandfather just passed away and he left me one of his harmonicas so I'm trying to teach myself. I just bought a Hohner Marine Band a few days ago so I could learn on somthing a little easier.
i found a harmonica in my garage. It says "golden butterfly" or something so it seems very cheap. It's the big one you show there in the video (the first one). You can play it the same?
my grandfather just gave me an Hohner Special 20 Marine Band. its kinda old, but im trying to learn how to play out of respect for him. any tip on cupping and bending notes would be awesome, thanks.
oh my god, i so want to get a harp right now!! ive only just started to get interested in the harmonica and im trying to narrow down the first one i should get. if u wanna play along with a guitar in standard tuning, wats the best harp to get? thanks
It all depends on what key you like to sing in. I have an A harp myselve. U can play any song you wanna with any kind of harmonica. I mainly use the chords A-E-D-f#m-b#m-c#m with my harp.
If u get a c harp, u'll play in C-F-G-am-dm-em.
For great guitar and harmonica, listen to neil young offcourse.
And if u wanna play single notes, try to dip ur harp in a bowl of water, shake it off, blow hard all over one time. Then it is easier to pick up the single notes. Good luck!
B's are nice...get a C. Almost everything I demonstrate is in C, It cross's over from G, which is a good range for vocals, and Cs are always available, it seems. Also, I pay $2.50 a piece for my C jellies;)
What a great video! I totally agree. When I was 10 yrs old my parents bought me a cheap harmonica. I'd never touched one in my life. I picked it up straight away and played London's Burning without any mistakes. All you need is the will to play and a tune in your head!
Thanks for posting that;) Kid's are not intimidated like we are so they'll approach things with interest and an open mind. If it ain't fun, they do something else...and the harp is FUN!
I just bought an acoustic guitar and I'd like to learn to play. since you learnt by yourself, would you give me some advices? I downloaded some videos from internet, and checked some videos here in Youtube, but I'd like to know about your experience, and how much time did it take you to play some music...
btw, I have a harmonica for a few years and I learnt to play by myself ^_^
The high E string can be tuned to the 5 hole blow on a C harp, then tune it to itself. Learn the G, C and D chord, they make most of the songs ever written. A "C" harp used with these chords sounds really good, you'll be playing in second position, or cross harp. Musicians are always in a state of "becoming."
If someone tells you that you are NOT a musician, they are jealous. Everyone is basically cool, but Musicians are VERY cool...well, not everyone. Don't be an ass, ever. NTJ
ah yes, learn by ear. the only way. If you teach yourself a whole bunch of nonsensical crap, originality will be far from reach. Learn by yourself, by ear, your style becomes unique to the one playing.
I have Hohner Echo Harp too and just love it. The Blues Harp had one flaw, one tune couldn't be played propperly. Then I bought some very cheap ones from Johnson which had plastic instead of wood and work just fine.
James from UK here just passing on my thanks for the info, as I'm gonna learn out of respect for my grandad first, then I'm gonna give it some boot and go for it. Thanks for the info, keep playing.
awsome man, I got me a victory Cmaj for my birthday (same size you have) and I saved money for a Dylan prothese :) now I can play the guitar and the harmonica at the same time :D
Man You're Goodlike.. Thanks.. You're My Idol Now.. Cause Of The History You Said.. Cause Of Your Feelings About Harmonica.. And I Saw A Guitar Too.. Thanks.. Take Care..
This really inspiring video of yours completely kicked away my procastination and also the feeling that music's not my peice of cake!
The first thing I did after seeing this viedeo is run to the nearest music shop and get my first harmonica! And now, few weeks down the line, am playing it like daily... its just become a part of me now!
I started to learn about three years ago and I still can't "master" the harp. It is kindda frustrating because I love how it sounds, but I don't like it when I play it. Tutorials like this have helped me, but I haven't improved that much.
I do not take it "so" seroiusly. The thing is that I don't like how it sounds when I try the bendings. That's why I quoted "master". Come on! It's just a harmonica, not my girlfriend! LOL
JM, My uncle who died of cancer bought me a Hohner 10 hole harmonica. Basic thing. Didn't cost much. But every night I would play in my room, and one night he brought in his guitar and somehow we were magically able to jam together. Listening to what your playing a.k.a learning by ear is the best thing for you. Thanks so much. I hope kids see this and have motivation to learn.
Isn't that what this is? LOL! I have a myspace acc. but's it's useless. "Friends" and "crushes" are just scammers or salesmen. I LOVE the harp. I know how frustrating learning can be. Everybody's selling the basics or the "secrets" of harp, none of which can teach you a single tune. You tackle the public domain and you'll have your hands full for quite a while, and skills will be built in natural course;) Stay in touch. NTJ
i have to say i totally agree with you that you can learn anyhting by ear wether it be piano or harmonica and i am starting my attempt to learn the harmonica
My fav song to teach people on harmonica is Silent Night in C then play it on other Majors. It is very easy to learn by ear in Chordal style with Hand Tremolo.
Paco Shipp aka Harmonica Carl swears by the Special 20 as the only model of Hohner he has not been able to blow out a reed in. He wrote me that he had played Lee Oskars and many other brands and found he always tended to overblow reeds in all makes and models he tried except the Special 20's. I would like to hear what Jason Ricci would respond to that since Jason is considered a premiere act for overblowing technique.
Never spend big bucks on an Echo Harp unless you are a wealthy collector. If you wish to play one they can be had from Hohner for as cheap as 15 bucks but are mostly useful to play ethnic and carnival atmosphere music. My 2 dollar KAY is airy because it leaks. The 9 hole is warped slightly so i don't blow it hard but can make some extra wicked tremolo sounding bends on a 2 hole cross draw on 8-10 without fear of breaking the reed. The KEY of G plays nice blues for a Major keyed harp.
My KEY of C is a Big River. C is for campfire style and does not cover much Blues. The Hohner Big River is a 17 dollar harp which is almost too much to spend but I would never pay a marine band or special 20 price for the KEY of C since I don't play it as hard as my more Blues Flat Harps, Other Majors, or Natural Minors. I love the Lee Oskars for Natural Minors, The Hohner MS Richter Blues Harps for my Db (wonderful low-end bender and high trill harp), Then back to a Lee Oskar for my Db...
...correction...My Bb is a Lee Oskar. I love the Oskars because they are so air-tight and you can replace the reeds if you tend to blow that hard. To learn on I steer people to the cheap 8 dollar Chinese Made Hohner Hot Metal series since they play almost as air tight as a Lee Oskar. Steer Clear of the real cheap harps unless you like sick sounds. I have an old Chinese made KAY in G that i bought from a thrift store for 2 bucks and took apart to clean with Alcohol and remove the dents...
If I'm A-440 true and capo the Third fret, My E and A still open and I can use an C harp. Easier vocals on some tunes and easier guitar. Further, Jimmy Cotton Himself told me 32 years ago, "If I'm not using a C, I'm using my Super C." The "Super C" is a C Chromatic that is no longer available. I hace a low octave D I like to use but most sharps and flats serve only as bragging novelties. NTJ
lol my dad had a harmonica so i thought i would find lessons on youtube...what do u know im sitting here watching ur vid also holding an M.hohner marine band. the same model aswell. im subscribing!
I couldn't decide what key to get for my first harp, so I bought the Hohner 7 pack. You get 7 diff. keys (although not as good quality) for about the same price as a Special 20. Also, they come in a nice case. For 25 bucks, it was well worth the money.
The Delta blues collection! I bought mine online and had it UPSed to me. I feature it in "jammin with a demo cut." I opened my D, and the reeds are AMAZEINGLY thin compared to my Marine band D. The Marine Band cost $30 and they are easily broken by cross-harpers. The thinner reeds on cheap harps can take more punishment without stress fracturing. The "Big River" is about $30, and has heartier (but slightly stiffer) reeds. I can blow out a marine band at will. NTJ
Yeah. They're plastic, but I haven't really had a problem after almost a year. I had to fix a few out of tune reeds, but that's it. I was really impressed. I've upgraded to special 20's. They're still my favorite.
Yeah. They're plastic, but I haven't really had a problem after almost a year. I had to fix a few out of tune reeds, but that's it. I was really impressed. I've upgraded to special 20's. They're still my favorite.
Plastic is GREAT! My A, B-flat, F and G are all Hohner Pro Series. When I asked Jimmie Cotton about harps 30 years ago I was trying the Golden Melody. He asked if I would play a plactic guitar. As a guitar player, I snapped "Hell No!." Same thing applies, he insisted. I blew out so many marine bands I use the Big River D for cross harp and save the marine band for third position work. NTJ
Not bad fo a Navy Man!lol, im a longtime bassplayer, but always loved Lee Oskar, glad I found this site, I found a slide Harmonica back in the Sixties has a kid, sad to say someone ripped it off, very nice thanks!!!
My son got a harmonica for Christmas that he hasn't touched so I've picked up the gauntlet. As a keyboard player, I've found it really hard to get my head around the notes, but your video has made me determined to play by ear and now, in just 5 mins, I can do a proper scale - yeehaw! Onward and upward - thank you!! xx
I've had a harmonica for two days and I've just stumbled on this video. I think it's very good advice, once you know the basics.
I was wondering if you could tell me the actual name of the tune you played. It's hard to play it by ear if I keep on having to find the correct place in your video.
Nice vid. Loved the story at the beggining. I have inherited my dads large collection of harmonica's (like 20 of them, including LOTS of Special 20's in differen't keys) and I have started learning on one in C. I've always been good at playing by ear on any instrument but bending notes is what I find really hard... Any tips?
try dan gage's(12dangage)dbigwalker's, jpallen's and ozharps's lessons. once you get good good look at jason ricci's and adam gussow's(kudzurunner)lessons
I just about have adams "thunky fing" down. I learned how to tune and tweek new marine bands off his vids also. Heck of a nice guy. I think harp talent is kinda like God, people can't put it in you, you have to look into yourself. You can learn from the greats but the fundamentals are up to the individual, and whats more familiar than the public domain songs? My idols growing up were Jack Bruce and Jimmy Cotton (he showed me how to do the "tin lizzy" I modeled my harp case after his. NTJ
You are absolutly right! Learn by ear is the best way. I am about to buy a 10 hole diatonic Hering Vintage Harp in key of C, and after what you said in this video, im determined as I never was before, congratulations for this contribution, greetings from Brazil!
I favor the lower end models. $10 and under. The American Ace, Backpacker, Fuego Azul...The clear harps I use cost $2.50 and only come in the key of C. Buy 10 and be surrounded by harps. They're like guns, it's better to have one and not need it...NTJ
Thanks for the inspiration. I have four kids and I bought them all one a year of so ago. They had kind of put them away, but a few minutes after watching your video I could hear the first bars of O' Suzanna coming from the next room.
That is SO COOL! Thank you so much for sharing that. Sometimes I think I'm wasting my time with that harp method. I have about 50 movies, I may do a Matson Method for every one. Later;) NTJ
Awesome but im not very good at the whole ear thing. Can you give me the tab for that song and also what are some good sites to get tabs off cos i cant seem to find many good ones.
thanks for the great story. i share a strong passion for wanting to learn this beautiful interment. taught myself to play that little diddy you played. My first song! thanks alot :)
nice video, I'm a beginner, but I would say buy a decent quality harp for learning, like a hohner special 20, they're like $20 or $30 or something. ($20 for a professional musical instrument, it's awesome) buy a few $4 harps and give to the kids to play ;)
Most of my movies are done with a yellow transparent plastic hohner C. They cost about three bucks. The back-packer, the american ace, there's a whole range of "lower end" hasrps that are underb ten bucks that are actually BETTER than a marine band. The Marine is flat on the bottom and unresponsive at the top, out of the box. Also, I can blow out a thirty dollar harp just as easy as
Hey! I loved the vid, best one so far on harmonicas, and the story about your buddies was great. I just got a harmonica (Diatonic C) but i cant play very well. Great job, keep on posting.
that is pretty cool... i'm a guitar playin myself but i'd love to learn harmonica... i love the sound and their a bit more portable than a guitar lol... i got one but its not a 10 hole diantonic... i'd like to get one but i live in a isolated community with no music store lol...
I fully endorse your views , to play a diatonic think PF the song you know best try to sing it couple of times then start playing trying to sing the same song thru your Harp you will be amazed you can do it.
dileepnaik 2 weeks ago
Thank you. :)
Mrs6isenuf 2 months ago
Good advice and nice back storie
MegaMusic110 4 months ago
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MrYSJ2010 4 months ago
thanks for inspiring me:D you rock!!(:
thecrazename 6 months ago
i whant to play the song the extremist by joe satriani
TKG1201 8 months ago
Great video, but come on. You've had that chromatic for 25 years and can't play mary had a little lamb? (it was probabaly a joke but w/e)
topster888 8 months ago
I just started playing the harmonica again! I love it!
Mattheworks 9 months ago
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Mattheworks 9 months ago
Thanks! :)
anotaren79 9 months ago
I started off the "Ol Sussanh and now love my little 10 hole puck, note by note. John 3.16
rogers531 10 months ago
Its very true, practice and you will learn... I've bougth a cheap harmonica and Im doing my best. I think I should buy something better one in this days.
egmfan2 10 months ago
Thanks!!!
troyS307 10 months ago
Thanks!!!
troyS307 10 months ago
you've inspired me.
scrivchen 11 months ago
Thank you so much....this is so informative!
escort325 11 months ago
Great story brother! My wife just bought me a ten hole plastic body harmonica as a stocking stuffer. I put it in my car and have been trying to learn by ear during my commutes to work and back. What's funny.. is that I had almost forgot that my grandfather gave me a metal body harmonica when I was a small boy 30 years ago, that even came with a little carrying case. It's a Kay wood body with brass and steel plating. Your video has inspired me to step it up and learn this great instrument!
Dadsdish 1 year ago
i just got a c harmonica for christmas. im learning by ear.
awesomeZvidos 1 year ago
@awesomeZvidos
Me too!
PiefaceclownPrdctns 1 year ago
You've actually helped me out more than you know. Thank you good sir!
ultraviolentblue52 1 year ago
Hohner Marine Bands kicks ass!!!!! I picked one up in the key of C to start playing. Great decision. You seem like a pretty cool guy. I wouldn't mind seeing some instructional videos from you (or just some more stories)
kjp3793 1 year ago
you are right the first song I ever learned was O suesana the one you just played since then I ve learned to play other songs as well and it all started when I learned to play that all by ear.
drummerboy555 1 year ago
@SweenMe That's how I learned pretty much everything, LOL! Kickin up and down and passin time amusing myself, next thing ya know I figured out another song. I learned "Mercedes Benz" completely by accident, just playin for fun and puttin things together.
imnoracistbut 1 year ago
I just started to learn the harmonica myself and currently know 2 songs ( 'shanendoah' and 'oh susanna', trying to learn 'danny boy' right now) and I have to say that it was a lot easier to learn these songs when I knew how to blow clear crisp single notes and actually had "harmonica notes" to follow. But then again that's just me.
88Kamikaze69 1 year ago
There are so many tunes that cannot be played on the 10 hole diatonic. Anything with a sharp or flat note for starters. Have borrowed them from other people to check if I had a crap one. I use a 10 hole chromatic and it has solved all my problems. I have found of the 3 types the diatonic offers the lowest range of tunes. It does, however have the best sound quality.
TheFreddieweddie 1 year ago
i just learned my first harmonica song by watching this video. nice :D
lfprojects 1 year ago
Very inspiring story.
OfficialArmonist 1 year ago
nice vid liked it..
Mrharsht 1 year ago
i have a 24 double hole n have no idea where 2 start :P
HALFxEATENxUMBRELLA 1 year ago
I think you're a badass.
sekt444 1 year ago
Bad player my ass. This ain't no pretentious bullshit.
Six dollars for a good harp, how great. My Hohner Marine Band in E was about 30 bucks. The times have changed, I suppose...
Fritz451 1 year ago
Good intention, bad player.
But you do it and you are enough pride to upload a video...
sansasan 1 year ago
keep in mind, people in the armed forces back then weren't trying to play orcestra quality music. it was more campfire styled
chipleader14 1 year ago
tanks i have just learn to play this the first try by the ear ive got my cheap harmonica 3$ friday and its work pretty well
dgwbleu 1 year ago
Very nice clip.....
I love your explain......
paulsirois 1 year ago
you are so full of wisdom about this instrument...i am having trouble with mine...is mine an echo harp? i am not sure... would you take a look?
courtlycasper 1 year ago
Thanks.. Where may I purchase the Harmonica tab for Shanty ?
charpia 1 year ago
no,thank you for your time
renegadeskinninja 1 year ago
غخغخغخغخ
fati14fleur14 1 year ago
Gut gesprochen, auf der Bluesharp für 5 Dollar kannst du jedes Lied spielen lernen !!
mantexolino 2 years ago
Thanks for the video...... you are like master joda for me !!!! Just kidding, but you teach us very well !!!!
Thank you very much !!!!
Herbertmaurer 2 years ago
Thanks man! You rock ;)
Widetransport 2 years ago
Thanks! You inspired me!
Carlsarv 2 years ago 2
I started by trying to learn by tablature, I hated it and couldn't follow fast enough.
I wanted to learn to read score, and still want to learn it someday.
The best, fastest, and easiest for me was to learn to play by ear. I can play along with anything now with this method, and it really doesn't take long to learn the patterns of your favorite songs.
Kenneth1944 2 years ago
he is awsome he suprised me at the last song.
goatwrench 2 years ago
played!
therealmarkhellewell 2 years ago
You Rock Man!!!
power2tread 2 years ago 2
thanks
thechampHLR 2 years ago 2
i have one with the switch called a honner chrsmetta 8 and i figured it out it is realy fun thow lol
manta965 2 years ago
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thank YOU for your time :)
Pierrezizou 2 years ago
Good ol navy, i like his stories and he is fundamentally correct with his delivery, What he is saying in a nutshell is feel out that Mo Jo, you will know you touched it when you pick up your harp and your head has music in it b4 you even blow on it. good tuition if you have raw talent and just want to connect.
realbudgiesmuggler 2 years ago 8
thank you so much this helps alot!
dawns31 2 years ago 6
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TheEuroRabbit 2 years ago
i like this guy
ladyDayna 2 years ago 4
funny guy
jarekwaw182 2 years ago
woow...
RiverPlateCavenaghi9 2 years ago
i just bought a blues harp B to learn on, this is alright since i am just learning and playing by myself correct? my dad plays and recommended a C but the only place i knew of was out...
ajg90 2 years ago
you shouldve gotten a c if your starting out
TitaniumToothpaste 2 years ago
you are the best =)
FabioHarpfromHell 2 years ago
sweet, i was just looking this up cuz i want to learn to start playing th blues in conjuction with my guitar. turns out i have that exact same harmonica right in my hands. an M.Hohner 10-key diatonic key of C. sweet...
PerfectSaga 2 years ago
This is one of the most inspirational harmonica videos ever made. And of course 1972...
islandiageomatics 2 years ago
just got one yesterday... what is the key of C? sounds important jajaj
boby13 2 years ago
Easiest instrument to start out with but the hardest to master. I learned really quick but never learned beyond the basic single notes. I now play guitar which was difficult at first but now it is easier for me to play and I'm able to advance much quicker than harmonica was.
JERRYR708 2 years ago
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DeathOnTwoLegs93 2 years ago
Just got mine the other day and the video that came with it saying that its simple made me think "No way am i gonna be able to do this". But now i am just gonna try playing along to music until it come naturally. Thanks for this exellent info video. 10/10
McKNIFER 2 years ago
Excelent video, i am getting a harmonica soon and hope to learn to play by ear like i played the piano before. I personally liked the part where you showed you can play the same song basically with single notes or not. Should make the learning much easier.
Thank you for this good video and tips, it was fun to watch!
Offercode 2 years ago
lol, i bought a harp yesterday & now playing titanic's theme song, my heart will go on just by listening XD
Ch0colat3C0okiEs 2 years ago
what was that song you played? I'm not american but i've heard it heaps of times
marineninga 2 years ago
Oh Suzanna
ImCheat 2 years ago
Oh Suzanna
jjointer 2 years ago
Great video, common sense is not dead. Thanks!!
stickballhole 2 years ago 3
thanks for the help :)
thetattytruth 2 years ago
Thank's for the tips. I'm in the Navy my grandfather just passed away and he left me one of his harmonicas so I'm trying to teach myself. I just bought a Hohner Marine Band a few days ago so I could learn on somthing a little easier.
41301075 2 years ago
wicked helpful, thanks!
skibbet21 2 years ago 2
Heck ya I'm just a piss poor college kid I have pretty much that same thing you have. Easy to learn difficult to master.
Harvest8888 2 years ago
nice one!
englandcanada 2 years ago
Thanks for the help!!
Teddyuga 2 years ago
i found a harmonica in my garage. It says "golden butterfly" or something so it seems very cheap. It's the big one you show there in the video (the first one). You can play it the same?
Thanks for the video
ferdo621 2 years ago
this guy is so tight lol i wish he was my grandfather lol
beatitbuzzkill 2 years ago 3
awesome brother
PlayHarmonicaEasily 3 years ago 3
thanks really helpful tutorial
MusicZone1989 3 years ago
good ol' words of wisdom from nightrain :)
marshallowns 3 years ago
oh i think its in the tune of A theres a little "A" in the upper right hand corner.
Crusafriedchiken 3 years ago
my grandfather just gave me an Hohner Special 20 Marine Band. its kinda old, but im trying to learn how to play out of respect for him. any tip on cupping and bending notes would be awesome, thanks.
Crusafriedchiken 3 years ago
thanks
anneich 3 years ago
oh my god, i so want to get a harp right now!! ive only just started to get interested in the harmonica and im trying to narrow down the first one i should get. if u wanna play along with a guitar in standard tuning, wats the best harp to get? thanks
polabear661944 3 years ago
It all depends on what key you like to sing in. I have an A harp myselve. U can play any song you wanna with any kind of harmonica. I mainly use the chords A-E-D-f#m-b#m-c#m with my harp.
If u get a c harp, u'll play in C-F-G-am-dm-em.
For great guitar and harmonica, listen to neil young offcourse.
And if u wanna play single notes, try to dip ur harp in a bowl of water, shake it off, blow hard all over one time. Then it is easier to pick up the single notes. Good luck!
CaptainTerpentine 3 years ago
This was ment to be a reply on polabears coment:)
CaptainTerpentine 3 years ago
cheers mate. i got myself a hohner marine band in c about 4 weeks ago and ive just been screwing around, playing along wif guitar riffs n stuff
polabear661944 3 years ago 2
omg i larned how to play 1 song by u ty sir
thedeadmanster 3 years ago
thanks, ntj. I've been playing for about two and a half years. Good counsel.
Ledvolta 3 years ago
Sir, you are the man. I'm trying to learn by ear, but it seems that it'll be a little bit more difficult if I use my B Harp. What do you think?
ruglia 3 years ago
B's are nice...get a C. Almost everything I demonstrate is in C, It cross's over from G, which is a good range for vocals, and Cs are always available, it seems. Also, I pay $2.50 a piece for my C jellies;)
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
What a great video! I totally agree. When I was 10 yrs old my parents bought me a cheap harmonica. I'd never touched one in my life. I picked it up straight away and played London's Burning without any mistakes. All you need is the will to play and a tune in your head!
helkatww3 3 years ago
Thanks for posting that;) Kid's are not intimidated like we are so they'll approach things with interest and an open mind. If it ain't fun, they do something else...and the harp is FUN!
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
this video has really helped me a lot, it helped me confirm that i will play the harp
Perzshan 3 years ago
have that exact harmonica the m. hohmer marines band made in germany
HOCKEYROCKER101 3 years ago
Teaching harmonica with allegory... lost art, my friend.
elkriverharmonicas 3 years ago
i like the part when James says "thank you for ur tyme"!! :)
dezialien 3 years ago
this guy is the man
brainstew232 3 years ago 3
I just bought an acoustic guitar and I'd like to learn to play. since you learnt by yourself, would you give me some advices? I downloaded some videos from internet, and checked some videos here in Youtube, but I'd like to know about your experience, and how much time did it take you to play some music...
btw, I have a harmonica for a few years and I learnt to play by myself ^_^
thanks
Oesalces 3 years ago
The high E string can be tuned to the 5 hole blow on a C harp, then tune it to itself. Learn the G, C and D chord, they make most of the songs ever written. A "C" harp used with these chords sounds really good, you'll be playing in second position, or cross harp. Musicians are always in a state of "becoming."
If someone tells you that you are NOT a musician, they are jealous. Everyone is basically cool, but Musicians are VERY cool...well, not everyone. Don't be an ass, ever. NTJ
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
thanks for the advices. I will take notes and follow them.
Oesalces 3 years ago
This video inspired me when I started learning last year , and It´s always on my mind when I play my harp.
thank you
kalichele088 3 years ago 3
G for neil young
Chickennoodle999 3 years ago
for neil young, i would say G
Chickennoodle999 3 years ago
Haha awsome! but it looks so funny it looks like ur chewing on corn when u play. Good advice though
johnxmzzhang 3 years ago 2
my father has the echo and i have the small one its orginal from honer
timberland1995 3 years ago
this is actually one of the first videos ive seen on youtube that has a guy who is being genuinely helpful. 5stars
ramza1570 3 years ago 3
I've just by one! I'll try to learn... thx for your video
SoundsHopeless 3 years ago
thank you for your history, i liked it! and im going to buy my first harmonica tomorow, im already listening to some harmonica videos.
kabexa89 3 years ago
ah yes, learn by ear. the only way. If you teach yourself a whole bunch of nonsensical crap, originality will be far from reach. Learn by yourself, by ear, your style becomes unique to the one playing.
great pointers!!
dereksoundcloud 3 years ago
i liked ur video and the stuff u said. well done and ty
fakex 3 years ago
My initials are J M as well.
pppoichops 3 years ago
mine too O.o
jjredick123 3 years ago
I have Hohner Echo Harp too and just love it. The Blues Harp had one flaw, one tune couldn't be played propperly. Then I bought some very cheap ones from Johnson which had plastic instead of wood and work just fine.
But The Echo Harp is superb.
geistsieg 3 years ago
NTJ Thanks for sharing with us!
krzysiujel 3 years ago
James from UK here just passing on my thanks for the info, as I'm gonna learn out of respect for my grandad first, then I'm gonna give it some boot and go for it. Thanks for the info, keep playing.
JAACastle 3 years ago 2
Great work NTJ! Totally inspiring video!
You summed it all up brilliantly!
An inspiration! You did in 3 minutes what others couldn't do in 2 hours of video!
I will watch this again and again!
Megoman112 3 years ago
awsome man, I got me a victory Cmaj for my birthday (same size you have) and I saved money for a Dylan prothese :) now I can play the guitar and the harmonica at the same time :D
TheMilkcat 3 years ago 2
Thanks man! You're inspiring!
Jupiteloota 3 years ago 2
Man You're Goodlike.. Thanks.. You're My Idol Now.. Cause Of The History You Said.. Cause Of Your Feelings About Harmonica.. And I Saw A Guitar Too.. Thanks.. Take Care..
BonesEater 3 years ago 2
thx
zaku1UP 3 years ago
Thanks a ton NTJ!
This really inspiring video of yours completely kicked away my procastination and also the feeling that music's not my peice of cake!
The first thing I did after seeing this viedeo is run to the nearest music shop and get my first harmonica! And now, few weeks down the line, am playing it like daily... its just become a part of me now!
Thanks again
sandy boy
sjpathak 3 years ago
te preguntamos la historia de tu vida?
mar2905 3 years ago
Damn. I got some 20-hole monster in the key of D and can't even hold it right, my hands are so small. Guess I'll have to get another one.
Bardintraining 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Check me for more HARMONICA FREE VIDEOS! i learned just in youtube!
harmonicatalk 3 years ago
I started to learn about three years ago and I still can't "master" the harp. It is kindda frustrating because I love how it sounds, but I don't like it when I play it. Tutorials like this have helped me, but I haven't improved that much.
Wholiancitoe 3 years ago
Master, shmaster, if you take it too seriously you'll never have any fun. NTJ
thechimneywright 3 years ago
I do not take it "so" seroiusly. The thing is that I don't like how it sounds when I try the bendings. That's why I quoted "master". Come on! It's just a harmonica, not my girlfriend! LOL
Wholiancitoe 3 years ago
the one only reason why im gona get a harmonica is becose i want to test to beat box thrue it heh :P
xXPODJXx 3 years ago
JM, My uncle who died of cancer bought me a Hohner 10 hole harmonica. Basic thing. Didn't cost much. But every night I would play in my room, and one night he brought in his guitar and somehow we were magically able to jam together. Listening to what your playing a.k.a learning by ear is the best thing for you. Thanks so much. I hope kids see this and have motivation to learn.
MrPapaGeorgio1901 3 years ago 2
it's true i learnt by ear and from vids on youtube for a year and a half and i love it
blenderjenings 3 years ago
nice one NTJ...I appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement....from all your friends in England.
movement26 3 years ago 3
cool dude, loved your story!
asalbn 3 years ago
Actually I have been teaching myself to play the harmonica..and I have several but not with other things added to them!
But, I thought that you had to play a "certain way" but, it's nice to know that you don't!! Thanks!
brnbear99 3 years ago
whats your website ?
gggengines 3 years ago
Isn't that what this is? LOL! I have a myspace acc. but's it's useless. "Friends" and "crushes" are just scammers or salesmen. I LOVE the harp. I know how frustrating learning can be. Everybody's selling the basics or the "secrets" of harp, none of which can teach you a single tune. You tackle the public domain and you'll have your hands full for quite a while, and skills will be built in natural course;) Stay in touch. NTJ
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
i have to say i totally agree with you that you can learn anyhting by ear wether it be piano or harmonica and i am starting my attempt to learn the harmonica
gggengines 3 years ago
hey,my C harmonica broke,(it was a cheap one) and I was wondering could you make a video comparing all the keys, so I could tell which one to get?
joelscam 3 years ago
My fav song to teach people on harmonica is Silent Night in C then play it on other Majors. It is very easy to learn by ear in Chordal style with Hand Tremolo.
quinoacat 3 years ago
Paco Shipp aka Harmonica Carl swears by the Special 20 as the only model of Hohner he has not been able to blow out a reed in. He wrote me that he had played Lee Oskars and many other brands and found he always tended to overblow reeds in all makes and models he tried except the Special 20's. I would like to hear what Jason Ricci would respond to that since Jason is considered a premiere act for overblowing technique.
quinoacat 3 years ago
Never spend big bucks on an Echo Harp unless you are a wealthy collector. If you wish to play one they can be had from Hohner for as cheap as 15 bucks but are mostly useful to play ethnic and carnival atmosphere music. My 2 dollar KAY is airy because it leaks. The 9 hole is warped slightly so i don't blow it hard but can make some extra wicked tremolo sounding bends on a 2 hole cross draw on 8-10 without fear of breaking the reed. The KEY of G plays nice blues for a Major keyed harp.
quinoacat 3 years ago
I do plan on blowing out the reed in the old KAY for special effect and am hoping to catch it on film some day...
quinoacat 3 years ago
My KEY of C is a Big River. C is for campfire style and does not cover much Blues. The Hohner Big River is a 17 dollar harp which is almost too much to spend but I would never pay a marine band or special 20 price for the KEY of C since I don't play it as hard as my more Blues Flat Harps, Other Majors, or Natural Minors. I love the Lee Oskars for Natural Minors, The Hohner MS Richter Blues Harps for my Db (wonderful low-end bender and high trill harp), Then back to a Lee Oskar for my Db...
quinoacat 3 years ago
...correction...My Bb is a Lee Oskar. I love the Oskars because they are so air-tight and you can replace the reeds if you tend to blow that hard. To learn on I steer people to the cheap 8 dollar Chinese Made Hohner Hot Metal series since they play almost as air tight as a Lee Oskar. Steer Clear of the real cheap harps unless you like sick sounds. I have an old Chinese made KAY in G that i bought from a thrift store for 2 bucks and took apart to clean with Alcohol and remove the dents...
quinoacat 3 years ago
If I'm A-440 true and capo the Third fret, My E and A still open and I can use an C harp. Easier vocals on some tunes and easier guitar. Further, Jimmy Cotton Himself told me 32 years ago, "If I'm not using a C, I'm using my Super C." The "Super C" is a C Chromatic that is no longer available. I hace a low octave D I like to use but most sharps and flats serve only as bragging novelties. NTJ
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
lol my dad had a harmonica so i thought i would find lessons on youtube...what do u know im sitting here watching ur vid also holding an M.hohner marine band. the same model aswell. im subscribing!
tylergenis 3 years ago
I couldn't decide what key to get for my first harp, so I bought the Hohner 7 pack. You get 7 diff. keys (although not as good quality) for about the same price as a Special 20. Also, they come in a nice case. For 25 bucks, it was well worth the money.
FattyArbuckle1981 3 years ago
The Delta blues collection! I bought mine online and had it UPSed to me. I feature it in "jammin with a demo cut." I opened my D, and the reeds are AMAZEINGLY thin compared to my Marine band D. The Marine Band cost $30 and they are easily broken by cross-harpers. The thinner reeds on cheap harps can take more punishment without stress fracturing. The "Big River" is about $30, and has heartier (but slightly stiffer) reeds. I can blow out a marine band at will. NTJ
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
Yeah. They're plastic, but I haven't really had a problem after almost a year. I had to fix a few out of tune reeds, but that's it. I was really impressed. I've upgraded to special 20's. They're still my favorite.
FattyArbuckle1981 3 years ago
Yeah. They're plastic, but I haven't really had a problem after almost a year. I had to fix a few out of tune reeds, but that's it. I was really impressed. I've upgraded to special 20's. They're still my favorite.
FattyArbuckle1981 3 years ago
Plastic is GREAT! My A, B-flat, F and G are all Hohner Pro Series. When I asked Jimmie Cotton about harps 30 years ago I was trying the Golden Melody. He asked if I would play a plactic guitar. As a guitar player, I snapped "Hell No!." Same thing applies, he insisted. I blew out so many marine bands I use the Big River D for cross harp and save the marine band for third position work. NTJ
nighttrainjames 3 years ago
Not bad fo a Navy Man!lol, im a longtime bassplayer, but always loved Lee Oskar, glad I found this site, I found a slide Harmonica back in the Sixties has a kid, sad to say someone ripped it off, very nice thanks!!!
BigRickSharpe 3 years ago
My son got a harmonica for Christmas that he hasn't touched so I've picked up the gauntlet. As a keyboard player, I've found it really hard to get my head around the notes, but your video has made me determined to play by ear and now, in just 5 mins, I can do a proper scale - yeehaw! Onward and upward - thank you!! xx
tootsk 4 years ago
thanx, i think i'll go buy one right now.
Godgui7 4 years ago 2
That's some great advice, I just had an idea just by watching this video.
I'm going to play it by ear.
Thanks again
Luis
LuisLopezCHt 4 years ago
I've had a harmonica for two days and I've just stumbled on this video. I think it's very good advice, once you know the basics.
I was wondering if you could tell me the actual name of the tune you played. It's hard to play it by ear if I keep on having to find the correct place in your video.
Thanks a lot for uploading it though. :)
StuartGilbert 4 years ago
The song he is playing is "Oh Susana" :-D
Nero12111 3 years ago
That's awesome!
Thanks for this, this really encourages me to really learn the harp!
hawkssens 4 years ago 4
Nice vid. Loved the story at the beggining. I have inherited my dads large collection of harmonica's (like 20 of them, including LOTS of Special 20's in differen't keys) and I have started learning on one in C. I've always been good at playing by ear on any instrument but bending notes is what I find really hard... Any tips?
fraseyboy1 4 years ago
try dan gage's(12dangage)dbigwalker's, jpallen's and ozharps's lessons. once you get good good look at jason ricci's and adam gussow's(kudzurunner)lessons
TheFanHead2 4 years ago
I just about have adams "thunky fing" down. I learned how to tune and tweek new marine bands off his vids also. Heck of a nice guy. I think harp talent is kinda like God, people can't put it in you, you have to look into yourself. You can learn from the greats but the fundamentals are up to the individual, and whats more familiar than the public domain songs? My idols growing up were Jack Bruce and Jimmy Cotton (he showed me how to do the "tin lizzy" I modeled my harp case after his. NTJ
thechimneywright 4 years ago
thanks for the advice and help
HelloHelicopter 4 years ago 2
bravo super merci de votre visite
jharmonyx 4 years ago
You are absolutly right! Learn by ear is the best way. I am about to buy a 10 hole diatonic Hering Vintage Harp in key of C, and after what you said in this video, im determined as I never was before, congratulations for this contribution, greetings from Brazil!
exortus 4 years ago 2
You should check out O Suzanna. I just posted it recently and it shows you hole for hole how to play it. Thanks for the post:) NTJ
nighttrainjames 4 years ago
Wow, I just started playing and I bought a Marine too! Cept mine cost 36 dollars and I wish I had bought a special 20. Still sounds good though!
Heropsychodream 4 years ago
I favor the lower end models. $10 and under. The American Ace, Backpacker, Fuego Azul...The clear harps I use cost $2.50 and only come in the key of C. Buy 10 and be surrounded by harps. They're like guns, it's better to have one and not need it...NTJ
nighttrainjames 4 years ago
Thanks for the inspiration. I have four kids and I bought them all one a year of so ago. They had kind of put them away, but a few minutes after watching your video I could hear the first bars of O' Suzanna coming from the next room.
cjwamy 4 years ago
That is SO COOL! Thank you so much for sharing that. Sometimes I think I'm wasting my time with that harp method. I have about 50 movies, I may do a Matson Method for every one. Later;) NTJ
nighttrainjames 4 years ago
Awesome but im not very good at the whole ear thing. Can you give me the tab for that song and also what are some good sites to get tabs off cos i cant seem to find many good ones.
wackojacko2154 4 years ago
thanks for the great story. i share a strong passion for wanting to learn this beautiful interment. taught myself to play that little diddy you played. My first song! thanks alot :)
galaxydreams 4 years ago
nice video, I'm a beginner, but I would say buy a decent quality harp for learning, like a hohner special 20, they're like $20 or $30 or something. ($20 for a professional musical instrument, it's awesome) buy a few $4 harps and give to the kids to play ;)
chesty772 4 years ago
Most of my movies are done with a yellow transparent plastic hohner C. They cost about three bucks. The back-packer, the american ace, there's a whole range of "lower end" hasrps that are underb ten bucks that are actually BETTER than a marine band. The Marine is flat on the bottom and unresponsive at the top, out of the box. Also, I can blow out a thirty dollar harp just as easy as
I can a ten dollar harp. NTJ
nighttrainjames 4 years ago
Hey! I loved the vid, best one so far on harmonicas, and the story about your buddies was great. I just got a harmonica (Diatonic C) but i cant play very well. Great job, keep on posting.
PrivateStimy 4 years ago 2
that is pretty cool... i'm a guitar playin myself but i'd love to learn harmonica... i love the sound and their a bit more portable than a guitar lol... i got one but its not a 10 hole diantonic... i'd like to get one but i live in a isolated community with no music store lol...
well goog job and nice story :)
tysonpeter 4 years ago
Most of my harps come UPS. Thanks for the post:). NTJ
nighttrainjames 4 years ago
i saw a video and thanks very much you help me decide what harmonica i should buy... :D really thank you
You are a inspiration for the begginers (like me)
Agnester 4 years ago