mac1012
4 posts
May 04, 2014
11:31 AM
|
I am learning with a special 20 C harp and have enough spare dosh for a couple more and I have seen a nice lee oskar case I want to get
So I wondered what keys to get next I heard G is a good choice for blues but not sure after that I do want to play some straight songs with melodys so I know eventually I will need a few keys but want another key to go with the G for now
oh and I think I am going to get a couple of lee oskar harps as I heard they are pretty good for money will be nice to compare against special 20
Mark
Last Edited by mac1012 on May 04, 2014 11:43 AM
|
rockmonkeyguitars
74 posts
May 04, 2014
11:46 AM
|
I play mostly folk and pop and a little bit of blues and I play in 1st and 2nd position in equal amounts. In order of how often I use the my harps it is C, G, F, A, D. If I played more blues I'd switch the order to C, A, D, G, F.
|
A440
148 posts
May 04, 2014
1:05 PM
|
I would suggest G, A, D as your next 3 keys.
|
Rarko
109 posts
May 04, 2014
1:23 PM
|
go with A, man!! You wont make mistake with A, if you want to play blues... Because when you play in 2nd position, that would be key of E, you can play thousands of songs on youtube, on your cd's at home... cause a lot of blues songs are in the key of E. ofcourse, not only in E, also in G (but you have C harmonica already), and A (D harmonica, for 2nd position), G, F...
and ofcourse, there are 1st position, 3rd... so eventualy you will need them all :)
but, right now, go with A!
|
Kaining
37 posts
May 04, 2014
2:01 PM
|
You can also go down the other road.
learning to play in all 12 key on the same harp and keep your money for one full customised harp instead of 12 low end harp.
|
SuperBee
1946 posts
May 04, 2014
2:34 PM
|
In terms of most use, D A C F Bb G Eb are my top 7.
D A C are pretty safe bets; but really it's just about the situations and songs you'll be playing. Sometimes you just need an Ab and nothing else is really gonna help.
So what keys are the songs in? Are you playing with other musicians? What are the chords you are harmonising with?
For example...
If you're playing blues-based material, they'll often be chords which use a flat 7th . 2nd position is a good approach for such songs.
But if you are playing more western type of music, often you need a major 7th. This might change your approach; you can still play 2nd and learn to overblow, or use a so called 'country tuned' or 'melody maker' harp where the draw 5 is raised a half step, or you can play in 1st position, where you will have the major 7th available in 3 draw and 7 draw...
Choices choices...but it all comes down to the songs and how they are put together
Fwiw, I have never found very much use for a G harp in blues. Yes, a few songs but not many. It's a nice low pitch and has a lot to teach about how harps work, but I think I'd be looking for an A harp before a G. Still, it's a good harp to have.
I rarely use an Ab these days, but 2 years ago it was so indispensable that I carried a spare to every gig...
IMO, the sweetest spot of all is a Bb harp, but that's just about the harp and my mouth. It's a useful key though, sure enough.
Best plan I think is to get the harp to play the song rather than get the harp then try find a way to use it.
|
harpsquealer
1 post
May 05, 2014
3:18 AM
|
I started with a C like you and then I went for an A. Like Rarko said, thousands of songs in the key of E (2nd position on an A). There are lots of options with an A harp. If not A, D would be a nice second choice.
|
Pistolcat
614 posts
May 05, 2014
4:57 AM
|
G harp in third is very useful for songs in A (and Am). If you are just starting out I'd go with an A-harp for sure. D but also Bb would be my next choice after the A. I really love the sound of the Bb...
----------
Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
|
Destin
74 posts
May 10, 2014
1:15 PM
|
Get an A harp bro then a D, then maybe a G
My favorite harp is a Bb
|
groyster1
2596 posts
May 11, 2014
4:23 PM
|
definitely an A next...then D,G,Bb and Eb....the other 6 keys are not used much but you still will eventually need all
|
