For every kind of music, for a beginner and a proffesional, for a harmonica beatboxer and the most classic harmonica user? And which kind ?(C-D-E-F-G-A-Bb or maybe some diffrent type?) All suggestions and ideas are appreciated. Suzuki, Lee Oscar, and some others are all well made brands. However, 99% of blues players play Hohners.
Any of their major lines is a reasonble choice-Marine Band, Blues Harp, Special 20s.
Most blues players use Marine Bands. Several of the best use Special 20s (including the incredible Tom Ball).
I primarily use both Marine Bands & Special 20s because I have full sets of both (and then some). I prefer Special 20s. I like the Pro Harps also and have several.
Hohner seems to be coming out with new models faster than I can keep up with them these days. I was on eBay last night looking for some new elements for my bullet mics and saw a new "bending" model with twice as many reeds (40) as a standard 10 hole diatonic. I'll probably break down and get one sooner or later, but they're almost a hundred dollars!
I would hold off on a chromatic for some time-they are several hundred dollars & much more difficult to play. I use 64s, and have three. If one needs to be sent in for repairs, I still have two.
As far as key-it doesn't really matter that much, you will eventually want a full set if you are serious about playing. Many people suggest C when this question is asked (at least once a week). Their reasoning is that most instructional material uses that key. The relationship between the notes (the intervals) are the same in all keys, and I always suggest an A or a D. The D is easier to learn to bend on then a C, and the A will be more appropriate for playing many blues tunes, particularly for playing along with guitar when the guitarists is just playing some standard changes for you. if you hav eth emoney
Hohner Marine Band or Blues harp
usually C or G, I like those best anyway
$20 or so
the cheaper kinds, $5 will work ok too "Honer" it' a German one I gotta agree with Hohner.
"blues" if you want one that will accomplish bends more easily.
"Marine Band" if you want more general all around use. Harmonica beat boxers make me cringe. All they do is breathe in and out of the harp randomly while making silly beat box noises.
I can't imagine there is the ultimate harmonica. Chromatic harmonicas are very different from diatonic. Diatonic harmonicas are for people who want to play blues mostly. Chromatic would be good for "classical". There are so many harmonicas on the market some great some crap I can't say one is the best. Get a C most famous songs use it and if they dont then its probably like the only song in w/e key its in a C is the way to go The one I have.....it's autographed by Huey Lewis.... I made my choice first time I bought one and I'm sticking with it.
The Hohner blues harp. Nice classic diatonic harp. It was designed to play the blues and it still continues to do so for over 90 years | 