Anybody play the harmonica?

[RenegadeRows]

Ive just picked one up, and started playing around. Does anybody play, or can provide me with tips on starting out?

 

[mwerner]

I've fooled with the harp off and on for some years, though not recently. There are some good books and instructional information available.

Depends kinda on what you want to do. "Blues" harp, where you use a harmonica in a different key from the song and bend a lot of notes, is quite different from "straight" harp, where you pretty much match the key of the harmonica to what's being played.

If you're going to get into playing with other people, you're going to need several harps...

Then there's the pop/jazz styles played on the big chromatic harps, like Toots Thielmans and others.
There's no doubt some good stuff on the web.

 

[555]

Ive just picked one up, and started playing around. Does anybody play, or can provide me with tips on starting out?

I started to play these when I was a Taxi driver.

When I was learning to play, All my lessons came from books that I bought.

I wish I had this when I was Starting out.
Just a Quick look on Google I found this.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5771_play-harmonica.html

And check this one out.

http://www.harmonicalessons.com/beginner.html

And there more, check out Google.

I hope this is a help to you.

Just brace yourself to spend more money, Playing the Harp, lead me to the Guitar.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Blues Harp help

 

[floyd the barber]

jon gindick has some good books and cd's. fun to play along with.

 

[ednemo]

I picked up the harmonica at one point...and I ended up giving it up. I was really surpised that to get the sound I wanted I needed to breathe in instead of out. I used the technique where you curl your tongue and block the two holes on the side of the hole I want. I ended up having to empty it of spit all the time. Still, I like the concept of an instrument you coulld take anywhere.