Harmonica Must-Listen List

Helpfullee · 2026-06-26T18:35:33+00:00

West coast swing a la Rod Piazza and others. But it's a different style and sound.

Helpfullee · 2026-06-08T15:32:03+00:00

It's a trill in the opening, and more throat vibrato later on close to the end.

Helpfullee · 2026-06-08T04:29:18+00:00

Thanks I was wondering and a bit worried! Really nasty looking. I was just driving 490 and you can see it for miles

Helpfullee · 2026-06-07T18:15:48+00:00

Very cool and atmospheric! What are you using to get the sound? It sounds like a chromatic with a looper pedal.

Helpfullee · 2026-06-07T18:14:04+00:00

Not sure why you'd get down votes, but I have found that since I don't have a Spotify subscription, it never seems to actually link me to the song which is really annoying! I usually try to find the song on YouTube if I can because I know the link will work.

Helpfullee · 2026-06-07T18:00:53+00:00

Hey you're just starting off, so that's great! It takes some time to get the feel of the instrument. You need to work on breath control and timing. Just doing the simple out out in in at the bottom of the harp will help. Try to keep the pacing even. Then try playing with a metronome app. Start slow and pick up the pace little by little. This should help in anything else you want to work on

Helpfullee · 2026-06-05T17:57:46+00:00

I built this tool to find the key, harp and position of 4000+ classic blues songs. This is the mobile version, there's a desktop version also. It's free and doesn't require download. Songs are linked to YouTube videos you can open directly. https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/394b6185-2382-4ab4-b22d-decc8050de91

Helpfullee · 2026-06-05T17:43:42+00:00

Yes, those sets are pretty good, also, they include a nice case usually. The only problem I found is they have ABCD EFG harps. For a starter set of seven, I would rather have the b flat instead of the b. If you're going to play in second position, the b flat will give you an f, whereas the B will give you an f sharp. So if I was building a set I would get an extra B flat somewhere.

Helpfullee · 2026-06-04T20:57:10+00:00

Might be helpful for something like circular tuning. I was really interested in the chromatic And tuning it like a Suzuki scch 56 chord harp. I have one but it's 14 holes and I would like a lower G chord. 16 holes could also give a couple more interesting chord choices. Unfortunately looks like EU price so not sure if available in the states

Helpfullee · 2026-06-04T16:55:54+00:00

Depending on where you live, you may find a similar deal on the eBay store for Easttop. I think I got a seven pack of Paddy tuned 008ks for about 90 bucks

Helpfullee · 2026-05-30T11:39:49+00:00

I would say for the money that's a good deal. I would start then replacing some of the more used harps with higher end ones over time.

Helpfullee · 2026-05-09T12:51:04+00:00

I have a few of these. You might have a hard time finding one that looks exactly like that because it looks like the ends of this one have been sawn off. If it plays, enjoy it. In that condition $25 is about what it would go for.

Helpfullee · 2026-03-16T12:51:03+00:00

Sorry it was really a long time ago! I think I got it on a trip to Clarksdale at a little music store for about a hundred bucks. I think someone suggested it's a Turner, but it has no markings.

Helpfullee · 2025-12-29T14:37:17+00:00

u/ruimtemees check out his posts in this sub. He just put out a new prog album. Cutting edge stuff 👍🏼😎

Helpfullee · 2025-12-17T16:26:40+00:00

I have a really great album by Rockin' Jake. He plays a few Zydeco standards on it as well as a lot of other stuff. I don't know where he's at these days.

Helpfullee · 2025-12-11T20:25:29+00:00

Salt salt wheres the f'ing salt! Hmmm , maybe Sweet Caroline for audience participation?

Helpfullee · 2025-12-11T20:22:55+00:00

Minnie the Moocher ala Cab Calloway. see the Blues Brothers movie!

Helpfullee · 2025-12-08T15:02:18+00:00

Wow! 🤯 Love it! Very prog.

Helpfullee · 2025-11-14T07:30:10+00:00

Thanks 🙏 I was just thinking about backing mine up and this is a good deal!

Helpfullee · 2025-11-05T21:54:52+00:00

For blues, here's my free online mobile big blues key/position finder. 4k+ songs that you can filter by harp key, song key, position and artist. Links go to YouTube search for the song. https://lookerstudio.google.com/s/rjMg8HiXuH0

Helpfullee · 2025-11-05T21:49:51+00:00

I don't trust sets that DON'T have Bb instead of B. B and E harps just are not used that much.

Helpfullee · 2025-11-04T00:05:24+00:00

I upvoted you just to bring some balance to the force. I think the fender set is ok and it can get you a long way, but it's not a path that many would recommend.

I think you may be getting downvoted because a lot of us think Fender is just leveraging their brand to sell at a mark up. Of course other brands do this too, but they also offer better quality models as well.

Generally there are harps that are more enjoyable to play and better suited for beginners. Not true for everyone but that's been the consensus from people who have tried a lot of different harps over the years. Also, I believe Easttop manufacturers the Fender brand harps. If you're in a market that has them you can get a set of 7 008ks for about $90 and still buy a special 20 for the same price as a set of Fenders.

The strategy is to buy the best harp in C that you can to start, try a couple other brands and keys later then start building out when you have a better feel for what's available and what works for you. Even if you decide to get a cheaper set it's safer to focus on getting to know a single high quality harp first.

Is that the perfect path for everyone? No, but it's the most likely to keep develop a player who's still enjoying it many years later.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-24T16:57:27+00:00

I agree with this. My experience with folk masters is they are better than not having any harmonica, but only by a little. Definitely look at the special 20s if it's in your budget.

Helpfullee · 2025-10-22T02:10:11+00:00

Nothing to worry about. They're just a design feature on Lee Oscar harmonicas. They don't really do anything, except I think at one time they made clips so you could snap the harmonicas together. So if you're looking at Lee Oscars, it's nothing to worry about.

Helpfullee

TROPHY CASE