I Received My First Harmonica as a Gift. What Now?

For all of you folks who've been given a harmonica as a gift, this video is for you. I tried to present some of the most basic, non-threatening, harmonica information for people who are completely new to the instrument, and for many who are new to music itself. Continue on to my "Harmonica Lesson For Beginners" video when you're done.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Harmonica
• Lesson
• Dan Gage
• Blues harp
• christmas
• birthday
• new harmonica
• beginner harmonica
• mouth organ
• folk

[joheshy55]

I just bought a C diatonic- big river harp and a book- How to play the pocket Harmonica by peter pickow andjason shulman. I was reading the beginning on how to break in the harmonica and it said something about dunking your harmonica into a glass of liquid for 10 - 20 min from plain water to draft beer to whiskey to Vodka. They said it is a tradition and can increase volume up to 100 percent. Is this true?

[12gagedan]

@joheshy55 old, wood-combed harmonicas were known to swell when soaked in water. For a short time, they'd for a better seal to the reed plates, and the sound was good. However, soon after the soaking, the comb dried out and shrank, making it worse than before the process was started. Soaking is generally frowned upon in modern circles.  It doesn't matter, though, because you have a plastic combed harmonica. Even if the old way was right, soaking would do nothing for yours.

[journeyquest1]

What do you think of the Hohner Golden Melody? looks like a comfortable harp to play.

[12gagedan]

@journeyquest1 they're cool, but not for me. They are tuned to make more accurate single notes, and the chords suffer as a result. As a blues guy, I like the chords to sound good. 

[journeyquest1]

@12gagedan Ya, i like blues also. I ordered a special 20 in key of C. The GM looks like it has a lip that curves over the comb. Not sure if that is a problem? The suzuki promaster hammond looks nice, also. It has phospher bronze reed. I use bronze strings on my acoustic guitars and they sound warmer than the 80/20 brass.

[12gagedan]

@journeyquest1 I've never tried the suzuki. Some claim that Hohner's reeds are the secret to their success (their specific alloy). Many folks seem to like the Manji and the promaster. Next harp you get, try one of them out, maybe.

[kazhilly]

This is a Great video for beginners, an Excellent way of talking somebody through the First phase, and the Video is Exactly about what the title suggests. An Excellent piece of work here, I take my hat off to You!! Carry on the good work, let's bring the harmonica to the World...

[MrBubblesonic]

wow something "interesting"

[mrhyde101]

haha yes the classic junck box where all of ower fails are geting dust haha...

on contrary of you i am a guitar player and just got a harmonica for a present also... in fact the exact same "marine band" M.HOHNER its so awsome...

good videos keep rockin with that harmonica dude cheers n beers

[eldorado303]

Marine Band's are way cool.

[SarahLadyPants]

I like you. Thanks for the help. I wish someone would give me a sweet harmonica for Christmas! Guess that just gives me more reasons to make sweet harmonica blues songs.

[rustaayy]

you have inspired me to purchase a harmonica. no joke

[emilio2690]

I bought a flying eagle harmonica (really cheap) but i really don´t know what to do with it :(

[CrzyJayJay]

Ill also send a Video Reponce about what it looks like ...

[CrzyJayJay]

@12gagedan ... Okay i have NO CLUE what type my harmonica is and i need some help on knowing what to do .. i listened to your videos and your AMAZING when it comes to harmanicas and i was wondering if you could help me by telling me what type it is like (Blues,Country)

[craz2311]

I did not put mine in the junk thing. Opened it said harmonica in the bin