Essential Harmonicas for Traditional Irish & Scottish Music

[@mickeencrua]

I have a Hohner Special 20 in the key of G. I retuned the 2 hole draw reed to get an E. I've done the same for all my diatonics. Easy peasy.

[@colinkavanagh9375]

Great info Nick. Thanks for posting

[@cstuartcook9390]

Easy third. The 2 & 3 draw are tuned down a tone. Best done with either Blu Tack or solder if you’re brave.

[@ivanmunizabellan3822]

Really interesting Nick, I didn't know much of the things that you explained. Thanks!!!

[@BarryHawk]

Excellent video. Some fantastic tips.

[@tomedom5107]

Thanks Nick, great explanation. Paddy Richters are available from Brendan Power's website. Also Seydel make them but you may have to specify it on their web customiser as a special but that's OK thats what they do! They will do Country or any other tuning too.

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

Thanks Tom, that's great info.

[@federicoacevedo20]

Great video!! Thanks

[@Chromatic_Harmonica]

Nice video! Thanks! 👍

[@dennisferrell3662]

This is incredibly useful information for someone who has been playing harp for a long time, but is looking to get into playing Celtic music for the first time. I have a question about Melody Maker tuning, which is offered on Lee Oskar Harmonicas. My understanding is that it is simply a combination of Paddy Richter and Country tuning . Would that be useful for the type of tunes you play?

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

Yes it is useful. Some players love Melody Maker for Irish tunes. Be aware that it is essentially a diatonic harmonica with the scales in different positions to a normal diatonic. So Ionian mode is in 2nd position, not 1st. If you get a G Melody Maker for G Ionian tunes you will be playing them differently. Some times they will be easier to play, sometimes harder, and it presents new ways of being creative with the tunes. Well worth experimenting with. It is a kind of combination of paddy richter and country if you are thinking in terms of a standard harmonica but my advice is to not think like that and get your head around its layout and what it was actually designed to do.

[@dennisferrell3662]

@@HarmonicaForTheSoul Thanks, Nick.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

nice one

[@holtwardfinkenhain1304]

You made my day! Seydel1847 was inspired by Tony Eyers from Sydney to MajorCross Tuning... (Major Scale in Second/Cross Position without any bending.)

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

I wasn't aware of major cross tuning. Thanks for that info. Tony Eyers is such a good player.

[@holtwardfinkenhain1304]

@@HarmonicaForTheSoul Yesterday i got my first harp in G/MajorCross from Seydel. I had to reset my brain and started my soul find the notes. Great - but... MajorCross would suit your tunes better if we let G/MajorCross start at G3. Then the harp would be ideal for your dirty old town. If I select Circular/G in the Harp Configurator and raise 4B and 7D by a semitone, I have it. We lose a D chord, but gain a G, because in the high range the notes change from draw to blow.

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

That sounds really interesting. I haven't spent a lot of time looking at what Seydel can do for players. I might try them for something special.

[@holtwardfinkenhain1304]

Blues 1847 Classic LOW in G Let's call it "Soul Cross" ^^: Config ID: 20200725205713_18449824 Now compare this with your new Low D-Harp. - I made it comparable, but now I moved all notes one hole to the left, because my songs rarely go deeper than G3. Config ID: 20200726113229_106732654

[@holtwardfinkenhain1304]

When a hobbit is in lockdown, who lives beyond the waters of Brandywine, only something crazy can happen...

[@Paddling16]

Thank you for the video. I have been playing blues harp for 2 1/2 years and looking to get into Celtic Music too. Would you start with a Paddy Richter harp in the Key of G or D ? I just would like to try one before buying a bunch of different keys this time around.

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

I would recommend buying G first. Personally, I don't use PR D as much as G. I find myself playing most of the D/Em tunes on a low D.

[@Paddling16]

@@HarmonicaForTheSoul Thank you for the reply and the help! I’m going to order a G Paddy Richter now.

[@tylerjones934]

Can you do bluegrass camp fire old time country or mountain music or country blues folk blues and Americana music on a diatonic harmonicas in different kinds of tunings

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

Yes. Check out Glenn Weiser book Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddle Tunes for Harmonica, which has Paddy Richter arrangements. Charlie McCoy uses country tuning a lot. Last time I checked on his website he lists all the tunings for all his recordings.

[@tylerjones934]

Can you use hands free harmonica rack for banjo guitar resonator or madullian or lap steel or pedal steel and dulcimer or fiddle or ukulele or bass fiddle jug kazoo wazoo or jaw harps or bird whistle

[@gerardkinsella6034]

Great explanation love the harmonica I just bought a Suzuki folk master 10 hole diatonic in D for trad tunes and ballads as most of them are in d or g is that ok for Starting off was only 20 euro or would I need a better one haven’t a clue how to play it yet with the blowing as the holes are small trying to get the single notes on them can read music as I play the tenor banjo so any advice or tips on harmonica would be greatly appreciated 👍

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

I've only ever owned one Suzuki folkmaster back in the day. I remember it being an ok harmonica to play. I recommend you try other harmonicas when you're buying them so you can develop preferences for what you like. Your D harp will be good for a lot of the D and E minor tunes. You can still play other tunes but not in the original keys. Most harmonica players use the pucker technique/lip pursing to play single notes. However, I recommend folk players get good at tongue blocking as it opens the door for many techniques I consider essential that you can not do otherwise. I have a playlist on tongue blocking which includes beginner lessons on playing single notes. Also I've got videos on how to play different tunes to help build a harmonica repertoire.

[@gerardkinsella6034]

@@HarmonicaForTheSoul thanks il check them out and thanks much appreciated for the info 🇮🇪👍

[@Klaas_H]

Thanks for this info Nick. Just a question. Which harmonica would be best for Coolies Reel which is in E-dor? Richter, Paddy Richter or Country tuning.

[@HarmonicaForTheSoul]

I haven't tried to play that one but for E dorian you would want either a D or Low D Richter, or possibly Paddy Richter D if you need to play the low B note without bending.

[@Klaas_H]

Thanks Nick. I may get myself a Richter. The tune has a middle D and low G which could be troublesome with the Paddy Richter.