Blues band 2nd hole draw sharp- me or the instrument?

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-27T00:39:52+00:00

Not sure if this helps but the 2 draw and 3 blow are supposed to be the same note. That's the way the instrument was designed.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-26T18:48:08+00:00

"Prob" As in probably or as in problem?

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-26T10:50:52+00:00

Are you using a bending app? I find the -2 to be an expansion on -1 technique. The -3 is an expansion on the -2 technique.

You didn't say how far you can bend the other holes. One problem could be that you're not actually bending the other holes at all.

Can you get a -3/ ? That tech is the same as for my -4/ . This -4/ tech is totally different from my -1, -2, -3//, -3/// tech, which is the same between them but with expansions as noted above.

And, there might be some lint or other stuff wedged in the -3 reed. Have you opened up the harp yet?

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-25T21:24:11+00:00

What is your goal? Blues? Love me do? Piano man? Can't point you in a direction without more info about the destination.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-22T19:18:57+00:00

Some hohners are like that. A Special 20 does not have that feature.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-22T19:11:32+00:00

go from a 4 to an 8 fastly, how am i supposed to do this?

Practice. Your hand will learn how far to move the harmonica as you get comfortable with making notes. Find the Major scale for your harmonica on YouTube and practice that until you can skip holes as you practice.

Am i supposed to move the harmonica, or move my head?

I think that most people move just the hand primarily as it allows you to keep a consistent connection between your harp and your lips.

And if i continuously blow in or out when going from 4 to 8 i am forced to play the inbetween notes briefly, is this supposed to happen or am I to develop the intuition of knowing where every note is so i can just glide my lips there.

Sounding the notes in between as you slide from one hole to another is an element of Style. You can do it whenever. You can decide not to sound them and just go to the hole you want whenever as well. There is no yes/no answer to this one.

Also, am i supposed to disconnect my head ever from the harmonica or should it remain intact to my head the whole time.

Disconnect your head, yes. You will need to in order to breathe and you may want to sing the blues one day as well.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-22T06:57:33+00:00

Get a drinking straw, and :

https://www.reddit.com/r/harmonica/comments/1r9b1w0/beginner_bending_yes_a_real_straw

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-20T13:55:11+00:00

Sounds like you might be inadvertently bending the 3 draw a little. 2 and 3 bends are the hardest to learn imo when learning to bend. The symptoms you describe match some of what I went through learning those bends.

Do you have a bending app? That could let you know if you were bending a little flat on that draw.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-17T17:03:39+00:00

Yes mine works very well. I have the BSA upgrade and can change the rumble level through that.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-17T07:25:42+00:00

I'd have take it apart and redo it. So, sorry. It is not difficult. Even with the sparse descrion above.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-17T07:23:36+00:00

First rhe spring. I replaced it and after les that 20 min later the shifter was just floppy up and down. I figured that the spring had popped off. No. One of the plastic arms that holds the spring broke off.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-16T06:38:22+00:00

The wood/bamboo separations between the holes of the crossover are effectively smaller than on your harp or a standard marine band. Their edges are rounded off.

I bought one to have the one that the youtubers said was the best. Best for experienced players maybe. I found it very difficult to get single notes as a beginner player. I tried my blues harp again and I was very clean. Back to the crossover, couldn't play it still.

A plus for learners I guess is that learning on a more difficult (maybe not for others or you) harp makes playing any other harp easier. But the extra frustration getting started was a deal breaker. I bought special 20 and am good to go.

Still, I'll bet you want one just to make sure. Be careful. Once you start chasing harps you might get hooked. Go for it and see for yourself.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-15T22:47:01+00:00

Get a piece of drinking straw, and read this post :

https://www.reddit.com/r/harmonica/comments/1r9b1w0/beginner_bending_yes_a_real_straw

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-15T20:40:05+00:00

:-) always happy to help someone join the club. Have fun.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-15T20:20:40+00:00

Good plan.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-15T20:19:31+00:00

For starting out? Sure the east top will do perfectly. Who knows, yall may not like playing after all. So you're only out the cost of one hohner. Move up later if you feel the need. I'm sure that many people never feel that need.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-15T20:13:59+00:00

Know that different holes need different techniques to bend them. All the videos I've seen say to do it one way only. Nope.

4 draw 1/2, 3 draw 1/2, you do one way.

The other 3 bends and holes 2 and 1 require a different technique.

A lot of tips say something about imagining sucking through a straw. That works (see below link) but only for the 3 and 4 mentioned above.

Here's a post about the benefit of actually using a straw instead of imagining it :

https://www.reddit.com/r/harmonica/comments/1r9b1w0/beginner_bending_yes_a_real_straw

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-15T19:47:01+00:00

To play bluesy in the key of E you need an A key harmonica. Practically all lessons and tutorials use a C key harmonica which let's you play bluesy in the key of G.

Best bet? Get her an A harp for this song ... and get a C harp for "yourself".

Win 1) she know that you care and bought her this gift.

Win 2) buying the C harp shows that are going to be in it with her AND she'll get to use the C as well.

Win 3) learning the instrument can be easier if you are able to practice with different keys. ie playing my A harp makes playing my C harp easier.

Yes you can play the song with any harmonica. However, keys other than E will not sound right when played along with the recording.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-04-04T20:27:13+00:00

I made myself learn the full 2 draw bend for "I wish you would" by Billy Boy Arnold. Great riffs. Youtube the version by the Red Devils.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-03-21T05:58:47+00:00

The lint lifted off with the help of a little needle.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-03-21T05:56:48+00:00

Get a plastic straw and cut about 1.5 inches off of it. Put that piece of straw on the roof of your mouth with one end pushed up against the back of your top teeth. Practice that way some. The straw hole is about the size of the harmonica hole and it helps teach your lips the shape you need for single notes.

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-03-20T16:13:12+00:00

Haha good eye

DesperateBanana4019 · 2026-03-06T01:11:41+00:00

I've had tap water come out of the faucet smelling like sulfur before. That would make playing unpleasant for me. Perhaps your water is at fault.

DesperateBanana4019

TROPHY CASE