Anyone here play the harmonica? I thought about taking it up. I want to learn an instrument, and it's something unique. How hard is it?
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Re: harmonica
I find it hard to believe that this thread has been sitting here for a few days now with no feedback...
Looks like it's up to me to jump this thing off...
1) It's called a harmonica because it's meant to play in harmony with the instruments it accompanies...
2) They come in keys: A/B/C/D/E, etc.
3) If you choose a harmonica in the same key as the song you're playing along to, or a harmonically related key (like a fifth of the root key of the song you're playing along with) you literally CAN NOT hit a wrong note...
Why?
4) Because EVERY note on that harmonica is in key or is in a harmonically related key...
So?
It's really pretty easy to learn to play well enough, since the proper choice of the harmonica / key takes the "guesswork" (and wrong notes) out of it...
Conclusion?
Easiest instrument to "pick up and play" but, like any other instrument VERY difficult to master...
Intonation / timing / soul / creativity / breathing / control / stamina / etc. become the issues, as opposed to "wrong notes"
Which is why an artist like Toots Theilemans was / is in such high demand across every musical genre:
I'd hit youtube for more on him and tips / techniques...
Lastly:
If you're familiar with that guy from Blues Traveller, you'll have seen him take the stage with a crossed "gun belt" filled with harmonicas of EVERY key...
Why?
Because a master can roll with any key harmonica to any key / song...but most need to have the one that "matches up" with the key in question and that takes things back to a more rudimentary level...
Hope this helps!
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