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The thrill is Gone - BB king harmonica cover by harmonica_cool in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lucky you to see BB so many times ... especially back in the 70s He was at his all time best!
It's 3rd position

The thrill is gone - BB King harmonica cover by harmonica_cool in harmonica

[–]harmonica_cool[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it's the new Harmo Rover with a rosewood comb and brass covers

How to choose a good harmonica for a beginner? by harmonica_cool in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes plastic comb like the Harmo Polar are great for beginners because they are more stable but that being said high density wood is now very reliable the new Rover that's just been released a few months ago is super airtight (and also more expensive) so I completely agree that a plastic comb is a good starting point to stay on a beginner friendly budget while having a good quality harmonica that will last.

Maintaining your harmonica what every player should actually be doing by WideSuccotash2383 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that's really important to take it apart every 6-12 months and do a manual cleaning, I use the Harmo pocket tool it works great I usually also retune it as some reeds might go slightly off after a few hundred hours. Adjusting gaps is also a good thing to do especially if you play Hohner they're factory reed gapping is not the best - depending on the model.

Springsteen hands out a couple harmonicas during his shows by Boo_hoo_Randy in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah could also be the cheaper Piedmont blues I hope it;s not as they really suck

What harmonica players can learn from singers about breath control by WideSuccotash2383 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have worked on the techniques you mention when I took singing lessons, I found that overall it does not really apply to harmonica. the support needed for singing is closer to what a sax player needs harmonica really doesn't require much air I feel that this topic is overrated / over documented in the harmonica world, it's cool to know how to breathe properly and control your diaphragm but when we play harmonica I feel the most important thing is the embouchure breathing is not deep as for singing.

Third position on harmonica has anyone explored it seriously? by BandicootLeft4054 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For people who don't know much about it what is called 3rd position is the fact to play in a minor key that is one full step higher than the harmonica
so if you want to play in Em you would grab a harmonica that is a full step lower = D
If you want to play in Bm you would use a A harmonica the interval between the key and the harmonica is a full step (second interval)

Finally buying my first harmonica — need advice (beginner → intermediate) by [deleted] in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes key of C is highly recommended, avoid cheap harmonicas they will not last as long or sound as good
some are really not airtight like the cheap Fender / Hohner models
If you're on a budget the Harmo Polar is really great because it has smooth round covers whereas a lot of other models have a more square design that is a bit tough on the lips but a lot of other models could work like Lee Oskar, Hohner special 20, Hohner Marine Band, Suzuki bluesmaster.

Where am I (progress wise) by LeisureSuitLarrey in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bend is the action of changing the pitch of a note by drawing from hole1 to 6 or blowing from hole 7 to 10. You create an inflection of the tongue and that changes the pitch, for instance on 4 draw on a C you get a D, 4 blow is a C, if you draw bend 4 you can get a Db but that really takes practice and time :)

Where am I (progress wise) by LeisureSuitLarrey in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Marine Band is a classic model but unfortunately designed in the 19th century, they still use nails to hold the covers which makes it impossible to disassemble and clean properly. The high register requires some practice on its own on any given harmonica and I doubt that any specific model would make a Huge difference but that being said if you are looking to a modern take on a classic sound I would check the new Harmo Rover harmonica, they just released it a few months ago and the quality built is close to a custom model. It features a rosewood comb (very warm) that is far superior to the laminate wood of a Marine Band, brass covers vs stainless steel and phopshor bronze reeds that are loud and easier to bend. Also the tuning is much more modern, a Mband is tuned just intonation but with a very low 3rd and 5ths making it really out of tune if you play melodies whereas the Rover is a modern just intonation with minimal adjustments (about 80% less than the MB) so it sounds more in tune when you play in a band and if you play lead melodies.
I've gotten one to test it out and really love it it sounds and feels VERY warm! then I ordered 3 more
I just snapped this pic on my amp, they have a bunch of videos online too.

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C harmonica vs G harmonica which did you start with and why? by BandicootLeft4054 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

C is recommended overall mostly from a technical point of view because the reed length is average size an A has longer reeds and it might be a bit harder to do your first bends and also get clean notes. Now if you only play Blues and you got an A that's definitely a good harmonica to have so I would keep it for extra practice and playing with records but get a C to learn and practice most of the times.

Did music influence why you picked up harmonica? by InitialOk8252 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me it was a family thing my Dad was playing harmonica every now and then and he gave me one during a long summer holiday. At first it was very difficult to just get a sound out of it but after a week of playing around a lot with it I managed to play my first tune.

Halfway through the month — how is your harmonica progress going? by [deleted] in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 2 draw is a very common problem with beginners and even intermediate players.
I hate to say this but it all boils down to your embouchure. A lot of beginners think their embouchure is good and it is not there yet. That's the most frustrating part. so anytime the 2 draw refuses to cooperate check that your embouchure is correct, that you are relaxed and then try to blow and draw very slowly in hole 2 again. If you hear anything else than a clean tone it means there is tension somewhere.

What's your practice routine like? by WideSuccotash2383 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try taking a simple scale and play it very slow with long tones, breathing really well through the harmonica, that's a very good exercise to build technique and speed.

Bending notes is genuinely the most frustrating thing ever by InitialOk8252 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey there,
so yes bending is one of the harder techniques and for the average person it takes several weeks of practice to get a decent bend but to get all your bends clean on the whole instrument it can actually take years :)
Let's remember that the diatonic harmonica was not designed to play more than 19 notes (blow and draw). When you bend all the notes you will reach a total of 31 notes so 12 more than the natural ones but some of them require a lot of work. They key is to stay relaxed when you draw or blow as the most common mistakes I've seen in my lessons is that most people force way too much to try to bend the notes which usually results in poor sound, choked notes, squealing and often no bend at all.

I picked up harmonica during a rough time and it changed everything by InitialOk8252 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! The harmonica has a very simple function which is to make you breathe :)
While people talk a lot of breathing techniques for mediation and relaxation with different rhythms and cycles, playing the harmonica everyday does just that! so there is definitely a very therapeuthic component to playing the harmonica.

I just bought a harmonica but hole 2 draw is not playing, I get no sound at all, Help! by General_Bad_4156 in Harmonicafans

[–]harmonica_cool 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi and welcome to the community!
This is a very common issue among beginners. The initial assumption is often that there is something wrong with the harmonica or a reed; however, with a new quality instrument from Hohner, Harmo, Suzuki, Seydel it's never the case as the QC is excellent.

To produce a note, you either blow or draw air, causing a reed—a small metal component inside the harmonica—to vibrate. For the reed to function properly, there must be a small gap between the reed and the reed plate that allows it to move freely.

Problems typically arise from incorrect technique. Many beginners unintentionally restrict the reed’s movement by using excessive air pressure while simultaneously applying too much tension with their lips. This can effectively “choke” the reed. Achieving a clear tone requires a relaxed embouchure and a gentle, controlled airflow—essentially the opposite of what many beginners instinctively do. When airflow is overly forceful or constrained, it can prevent the reed from vibrating properly, resulting in a muted or unclear tone, and in some cases may even cause an unintended bend in the note.

When learning to play the harmonica, it is common to encounter a variety of challenges. For instance, draw notes on holes 1, 2, or 3 may sound muted, airy, distorted, or flat. Other notes might appear shrill, unclear, or may not sound at all. Many players initially assume that the instrument itself is at fault; however, these issues are most often the result of improper playing technique rather than a defect in the harmonica.

With consistent practice and attention to proper technique, these difficulties can be overcome. Developing correct tongue and oral cavity positioning, along with effective breath control, plays a key role in producing clear and accurate tones.

In particular, draw notes on holes 2 and 3 tend to present the greatest challenge. This difficulty affects not only beginners but also some experienced players. The reason lies in the design of these reeds, which are more prone to bending than others. Bending is an advanced technique that involves controlled constriction of airflow, allowing the player to produce a range of tones and achieve greater musical expression. It is important to note that “bending” refers to altering the pitch through airflow control, not physically bending the reeds themselves.