Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mortimer Snerd on August 8, 2009 at 4:59am

A Tuba would really rock if you didn't want a harp.I was going to say the very same thing tiny, if I can play a harmonica, anyone can. You can pick up good Hohners for $20. And you can pay $100 plus for one if you get the bug. You can carry them anywhere and practice all day long if you want to.
If you dont get real good at playing one, you can at least, play camp fire songs for your self and family.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on August 8, 2009 at 5:00am

Here's a sub, play a KAZOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sprague (Knotlenny) on August 8, 2009 at 5:40am

Sam - trust me - the ONLY trick to playing harp is NOT to overthink it.
Get yourself a couple of good old Hohner Marine Bands
play the harmonica that's the (relative 5th? . . . I think of the key you're in), as Tiny says - this way you're able to achieve the root note of the chord when you draw in.
forget all the draw/blow color coded diagrams and just blow the damn thing . . . .
I guaranty you can figure it out in an afternoon.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on August 8, 2009 at 5:40am

I have seen a couple of acts come out with a regular harmonica "holder" and stick a Kazoo in it... Pretty funny. Learning basic (as in...Bob Dylan) "straight" harp is pretty simple. You can do the major chords in a standard progression pretty easily.

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Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on August 8, 2009 at 8:39am

There's no substitute for a harp, lol. But kazoo is easier to learn (it's about the only thing that's easier).

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sprague (Knotlenny) on August 8, 2009 at 1:26pm

I do this - had to run a sheet metal screw into the kazoo so the holder kinda wedges between the screw and the round upright part . . . . but its for a 'change-up" only - Doc is absolutely right: "There IS no substitute for a harmonica."

"I have seen a couple of acts come out with a regular harmonica "holder" and stick a Kazoo in it... Pretty funny."

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Permalink Reply by Sounds of the Nation on August 8, 2009 at 9:06pm

lee oscar makes a harp called a "melody maker" they've changed a few note in the traditional set up. i find it works real well.

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Permalink Reply by Diydc on August 9, 2009 at 5:37am

As suggested, kazoo is a great and cheap way to fake a melody, though not the same as a harp somehow. Best is really learning to play a couple of basic melodies and transitions. Really is not so difficult to do either...

You could try a jewish harp, which is kind of different, but gives for some really neat rythmic and filtered passages as well.

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Permalink Reply by Roosterman on August 9, 2009 at 6:12am

Hate to admit it, but Iv got a full set of harps sat gathering dust, totally umplayed, ever. Maybe its easy enough to get a few notes, maybe a short riff, but dont be fooled, playing good harp is like everything else... it dont happen over night. I have to agree though, nothing else sounds quite like a harp so....
Have a go, buy one of those teach yourself book and cd sets - if its just the occasional 2 bar fill, maybe even 8 or 16 solo, practice a set piece, and keep it simple - simple is often most effective. Ok, so its not real 'flying by the seat of your pants' soloing, but the crowd wont know that right? Unless they come to see you every night... lol
Im inspired anyway - Im gonna dig my harps out again! :o)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on August 9, 2009 at 7:22am

I've got 3 harps and I play them just as good as I do a guitar! Neither words, I sit in my soundproof room in my basement and entertain myself so I don't get arrested for disturbing the peace. I even pick up the box my harp is in and my dog start howling. You guys all say it is easy?! Where are my anti-depression pills......

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on August 9, 2009 at 8:45am

Sounds familiar! If I pick mine up, the dogs go ballistic. I can play down at the "low" end OK, but any notes above the middle of the scale and I get a face full of retrievers!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on August 28, 2009 at 1:18pm

I've been coming across a lot of old pre-war blues lately and suprisingly enough, a lot of those guys played kazoo in some of their songs. Definitely not what a harmonica does but it deserves respect in its own way. I dig it. Jug bands do a lot of kazoo too. Google up "jug bands" and you'll be able to find a lot of stuff.

My wife just called and told me i have a set of harmonicas waiting for me that just came in the mail. cant wait to get off work and pull em out!

Roger Martin said:

Here's a sub, play a KAZOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

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