The 6 Harmonicas Every Player Needs

► Online Harmonica School - tomlinharmonicalessons.com/onl...
This week's harmonica lesson will show you the six harmonicas which are most useful for any budding Blues Harp player!
► C harmonica
Almost all the educational material out there (including my own) is on a C harmonica so this is an excellent place to start.
► A harmonica
This is a nice low end harmonica which will let you play classics like 'Bring it on home to me' by Sonny Terry. Plus, Guitarists will love you as it makes it easy for you to play in the key of E (their favourite key!). • Video
► D harmonica
This is a slightly higher harmonica which will cut through the mix nicely. Great tunes on D harmonica include 'Checkin' up on my baby' by Sonny Boy Williamson. Guitarists will also like this one as they can play in the key of A when you play in 2nd Position. • How to play Checking u...
► Bb harmonica
Slightly mellower than a C harmonica, the Bb is one of my favourites and gives you access to 'Easy' by Big Walter Horton. • Easy by Big Walter Hor...
► G harmonica
If you want FAT train rhythms as well as a tasty 3rd position rendition of George Gershwin's 'Summertime' then you need to get a G harmonica. • Summertime in 3rd posi...
► F harmonica
People steer away from the high-pitched F harmonica but in the context of a band they can sound super sweet plus they give access to 'Good Morning Little School Girl' by Sonny Boy Williamson I. • Sonny Boy Williamson -...
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[@TomlinHarmonica]

✏ Get your FREE harmonica tab PDF and audio clips here 👉 foxly.link/f5gidD

[@vuongnh0607l]

The first harmonica I bought was an A key, because all the C were sold out at the shop I visited... Played all the C songs (using tabs) with it & actually enjoyed the sound so much that when I finally bought a C key, something actually felt off!

[@roytube10]

once again, i could have used this info in 1993!! harp players starting off better pay attention to tomlin. great way to explain different keys and their uses.

[@bryanfell2782]

Amen to that. I wish we could have had instant access to lessons like this back in 93. It's so awesome being able to learn from some of the best teachers without even leaving the house. Very different from when I used to wake up as a kid and carry my guitar down the road to an old hippies house where I would sit on the front porch and wait for him to wake up and hopefully learn some stuff from him while we jammed.

[@zarulalbakri7913]

Thank you so much for your contributions

[@steenjimmy833]

Thanks for ALL your helpful videos.

[@janardanranavade2814]

Impressive and worth learning lessons.Looking forward to next ones. Thank you,sir.

[@rhatid]

Outstanding! Nice explanations!

[@kenmare16]

Very useful instruction. Thanks!

[@adrienne_12thorpe]

Thank you so much. Been putting it down and picking it back up again. Wanted to move on to the next one, but I guess I’ve got to keep practicing.

[@mikebottiaux5850]

Great tips, Tomlin.

[@OnceTheyNamedMeiWasnt]

You are one the most humble, knowledgeable, helpful and downright cool teachers there are out there. Always worth listening to your advice. Thanks

[@cyounesful]

Thank you!

[@MosquitoBite82]

Thank you! I got my first harmonica (a Special 20 in C) as a present and after that I've been buying harmonicas of different keys and brands sort of blindly just to find out by trying. Haven't gotten that much wiser until you came here and just explained stuff in a very straight forward and uncomplicated way. Thank you so much!

[@nr3rful]

Wonderful !!! Here I go shopping now...

[@timgeorge7150]

Thankyou Tomlinson😎

[@raymondhess1711]

Great vid! Thanks

[@studogable]

I've played harp for 30+ years. I agree with everything he says.

[@sadguru1969]

You are awesome ! Keep up the good work the harmonica fans need you !

[@edwhite7475]

im just getting back to the harps again and this was the PERFECT video to start with....

[@jacobworkman6455]

A while back I purchased a seven key blues harp set. I’m thrilled with it. 👍

[@rosedavila3547]

Good Teacher

[@yaroslavfedorov5425]

Thank you Tomlin. It’s really great explanation. I knew about all these harmonicas’ keys but your sequence is absolutely clear and helpful and we can don’t spend extra money to “wrong” keys :) I have C, A and Bb in my set and need just to add D for now :) G and F can waiting for some time :)

[@SXHQQSSS]

You’re a fabulous harp player. Appreciate your efforts to teach harmonica. I wish I understood all that you said about scales and positions. Cheers.

[@dalehamon4295]

Tomlinson, thanks….I just bought a Hohner Rocket low F and it is phenomenal

[@piotrp5630]

You laid it out really nicely. A great piece of advice for a guy like me, who doesn't really know what he's after and just tries out different keys at random. Ps. Since I already have a G in my possession I'll go straight for the "summertime" lesson. Thanks mate!

[@TheHarmonicaMusician]

I agree. After doing hundreds of harmonica covers, I can confirm that those six keys are the most common keys used for Blues and even for covers. The rest like Eb, Ab, etc. are rare even for covers, but the most rarest of all is F# which should be your last key to add in your collection.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Beautiful riff at the start bro 👌

[@rayd6400]

I have stuck on C for years because I didn't know where I wanted to go next or why thanks man!!!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Cool - Christmas wish list time...

[@sagehopkins1]

Another GREAT tune played on harp key F ~ Van Morrison's "Bright Side of the Road" :)

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Love the G harp - also love playing it along with guitar in G Major with Neil Young and stuff

[@banditinoz]

Great advice on the 6 harmonicas you recommend to start with, thanks so much. I have all six of them plus the E in my collection of harps, as well as multiples in C, D and A and a 12 hole Seydel Solist Pro in C, which I really like. I have a Hohner Chromonca which I bought way too early so can't play, which I pulled apart to clean, but sadly didn't seem to put back together properly. I really enjoy folksy (Neil Young, Tom Petty) type music and have a go with all the keys, usually when trying to figure out what key the song I'm listening to is in... :-D I really like the feel of the Seydel and then Lee Oskar harps, probably because they don't catch my facial hair like the Hohners can do, lol.

[@MiguelJimenez-ow5bx]

Now i'm shure i need a B flat harp, thanks Tomlin

[@jnelson7360]

Always good stuff, Leckie; however, since most anything you can play on one ordinary (Richter) harp you can play on any other, by slightly adjusting focus, I would recommend the following, noted as key of harp with 2nd position in parentheses. A(E), Bb(F), C(G), D(A), E(B), F(C), G(D), and every entry except B is often encountered both as melody and as accompaniment.

[@ravindranathtagore9998]

Very interesting. Out of 6 keys, I have 3, A, Bb and F keys of Lee Oscar, And i am comfortable to play as many hymns as i could. Thank you.

[@slidedad]

Great advice. I have six harps and (round of applause) they're the keys you recommend - phew. You're spot on about the F - I really don't like playing it, but now I'll spend a little time getting to know it better. Thanks.

[@hambone1157]

Get a low F

[@delbertnawyn]

I don't know why there is any thumbs down!! I'm here to learn, you make them all sound wicked cool, and your presentations are awesome!! Thank you!! Some day I'll get more time to improve:)

[@crimson8606]

The dislikes are from his Australian viewers

[@bryanfell2782]

The F harp is actually a really fun one. Definitely cuts through the mix. Lately I have been hooked on playing the natural and harmonic minor harps. They get some heads turning. Makes it easier to spot the fellow musicians in a crowded bar, because their ears and eyebrows perk up for a second. Then a brief nod of acknowledgement and back to their conversations and drinks.

[@jameslewis9343]

Yeah.. I have all those.. plus a few more! Including a pair of Chromatic harps in the keys of C and E. I don't think you can have too many!!

[@paulc3960]

Yes, will cost me a fortune.

[@TimGreig]

Great advice, thank you. As a beginner I'm caught between trying different brands with a key of C and/or trying different keys. I guess I'l have to do both. 🤣

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to ‘Subscribe’ and turn on notifications to never miss another Harmonica video. :-)

[@totoroutes5389]

Also, a LowLow key harmonica. example: Seydel 1847 Noble lowlow E

[@enjoyharmonica]

All correct sir ✅✅

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you :-)

[@harpsnake]

I'm in a blues band for almoust 20 years now and I also need E a lot and B sometimes.

[@sunnyscott4876]

I have one in the key of my neighbors cat! I think it's a Meee-ow! You're a lovely young man . Thanks for the video !

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Lol - I love it! Thanks Sunny :-)

[@colincampbell4261]

I find key A the nicest to play. Easier to be accurate on the bends.

[@andydunn5673]

Good lesson Thanks Got all of them I bizarrely find myself constantly coming back to A and Bb I don’t know why I feel I sound my best on these Thanks again

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Make sure practice on everything Andy so you're comfortable in all keys :-) p.s. I would play everything on a B harmonica if I was allowed

[@andydunn5673]

Tomlin Leckie will do, happy harping

[@stevemcqueen7735]

I got those harps. I noticed if they were sold in a set of 3 it was always A, C. G. I got the D but I was told to pick up a Bb which I wouldn't have any idea of. Good to know I own the right essencitial keys

[@studogable]

F is a PITA, but it's a good one to have. C is a preferred piano key.

[@fulviovalsecchi3420]

Thank You 😊 I prefer to play chomatic but I love the sound of diatonic harps. For me the ritcher tuning is not the best tuning : I prefer the Paddy richter with 3° blow raise in VI ° note of diatonic scale ...

[@davezinn6810]

I have all 12 keys + LF & LD & LE, because I want to be able to play in whatever song I'm jamming to. Bb, Eb, Ab, & Db are especially useful for anything with horn section.

[@lezscott7786]

Cheers for that info Dave, I play sometimes in a band with keyboard and horns and always feel intimidated and struggle with what key I reqiure to join in with the band.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Awesome set up Dave!

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

The last time I had a harp was pre-internet - now I am actually learning, rather than goofing around. The tonguing is a new think, takes a while to get used to it.

[@lowriderrookie]

Im an intermediate level harp player. I got C,E, F and G. I bought the G harp to strengthen my draws n blows. I should say it's the hardest harmonica amongst the rest to hit the low notes... Can't play it as well as other keys but with practice and time I should get there

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I had exactly the same experience when I first got a G harp. Keep working it :-)

[@robertszymanski717]

The unusual sound he did on the "D" harp reminds me of a guitar lick Jeff Beck did on Rod Stewart song "Ain't Superstitious"....

[@bro-war9467]

Brawo :)

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you!

[@duanewoodbury8314]

Thank you Its about time someone taught this This should be the first lesson Now i only need 2 more . . . Well im ocd so 6 more Lol Thats just the blues harps And on to the crossovers i go from there And no end in sight

[@fljetgator1833]

Thank you mister 😎🚬 Like the haircut btw.

[@winstonchurchill624]

It's all a matter of opinion, but I would include a harp in the key of E. I would also say that after you get C, A,and D, really just get whatever you want. Certain people like lower harps and others like higher ones. From personal experience though, I would suggest staying away from an F until you are experienced. I personally sounded really bad on it when I first got it, and I can only assume it's because I wasn't a developed enough player. Of course don't let that stop you if there are certain songs you want to learn on it.

[@harmonicamanrandy]

I made sure I invested in a low F years ago. You can do better accompanying a song without the shrill. Then when it's time to do the lead, just pull out the higher F it sounds awesome.

[@winstonchurchill624]

Harmonica Man That's a really good idea, and guitar players basically do the same thing. Thanks.

[@villagelightsmith4375]

B-flat minor. Try it.

[@JozRad]

Thank-you! I have all but your number six, an F, "shrill but … works well with guitar and bass."

[@studogable]

Unless you get an F Low. Then you have the opposite problem.

[@heymanfrisbee]

Thank you for all of your help Tomlin! As a beginner, I bought a "cheap" 7-pack of harps -- all of the ones you listed, plus an E. The most difficult thing for me is how to recognize what key a song is in. Most times, I will pick up a harp and blow the 4-hole and see if it "fits" with the song. Any tips you have to help with this would be great!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Jeff, playing the 4 hole is good if you want to play 1st position (great for melodic and folk styles). Play the 2 draw if you want to play 2nd position for more Bluesy styles. :-)

[@43reardon]

I suggest you "draw" on the forth hole instead bro. That way you'll be playing cross harp which you'll find is generally a lot more dynamic. Just a suggestion

[@dannydchain]

Hey Tom, I just got my first harp and in the pressure of the shop my guitar theory kicked in and I thought the keys relative. So I got i G thinking the relative minor was E. It’s good to learn that G is a low key for harp and requires the lungs to work. What I compelled to ask you is, do you ever play minor harmonicas? I enjoy beat box and the combination of the two. Moses Concas recommends getting a minor key. What are your thoughts, Would a minor key with the difference in note and bend positions be to confusing for a amateur?

[@simonb4689]

I went C, the low F. Debating what would be next. I'm drawn to Bb since I never play with anyone else for the moment anyway

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Get an A ;-)

[@rockers7889]

I like the B for "go tell it on the mtn" the flat doesn't quite work

[@josephdenton377]

What's the best harp for church hymns?

[@AllGrowing]

Very helpful info, thanks! Do I buy these keys in the same brand, and if so, which? If not, are there specific best brands for specific keys?

[@donmiddleton1378]

I have all 7 A, B flat, C D E F and G

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

Which one is the one for playing Stevie Wonder "isn't she lovely" Most of these harmonicas sound like several sounds coming out at the same time, but Stevie Wonder's harmonica sounds like one sound coming out.

[@Psyren556]

I only have C harmonica and i have promised myself i will learn it to play well as you..

[@Robert-yk8tx]

psyren good for you 👍

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Awesome - then you should aim to play better than that :-)

[@Psyren556]

@@TomlinHarmonica yes i understand..

[@northernpeacock]

Thank you, very useful information. Just one question: a harmonica in F# will be even higher than one in F (the highest in your video)?

[@paulc3960]

Thank you. C D F G A Bb.

[@mikebojtor]

Really curious what key J Geils used to play Wimmer jammer

[@craiginker6732]

I am trying to find a good storage case that I could get. Any tips????

[@mikecosgrove5786]

Thanks Tomlin. As always excellent guidance. I’m a new harp player who is playing simple songs in C and can play clear notes most of the time and move comfortably up and down the harmonica . At what point in my development would you recommend purchasing other harmonicas? LOVE your videos!

[@winstonchurchill624]

Mike Cosgrove personally, I got my second harp after about a month. I can't remember how good I really was at that point though, but I can tell you I was playing about as often as I could. I would just say that if there's a song you really want to learn, but it's in a different key, get another harp. Especially if you know you're going to stick with it. I mean if that's the case, you're going to end up getting all of them eventually so you may as well start now.

[@mikecosgrove5786]

That makes perfect sense. I’ll put another harp on my Christmas list. Thanks!

[@winstonchurchill624]

Mike Cosgrove No problem man, just remember to have fun with it.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Playing on different keys is really good for you to get comfortable with different air pressures for certain. That said, I do highly recommend getting very well established on a C harmonica. :-)

[@mikecosgrove5786]

Thanks Tomlin. One more quick question. What is your opinion of the Horner Melody Maker Progressive series? Obviously I’m playing melodies now but may get into some blues as you make my skills better. Your thoughts? Thanks for your time.

[@markhormusic_ALIEN_GAME_ZONE]

😂😄😅😆🤣 Really! I like harmonica voice. Because harmonica voice is funny. Every day im watching this video. Thank you very much broo 👍

[@user-uz6kn8mu6y]

Hi What you sthink about Eb harmonica?

[@schnaideraldavoud2368]

Hey tom , Thanks for your effort, I want a harmonica for sad playing. What do you recommend? B?

[@mrtambourineman6107]

If I play in Em on guitar do I need a G harp??

[@TheNolo69]

Thanks for sharing your masterng, If you could reccomend tome only two keys. Wich harmonica keys would you reccommend? "C" & "A", "C" & " D" or "C" & F"? Thankyou.

[@ChristosNikolis]

Without being an expert, I'd say C and A. Because: Scenario 1) if you see you don't like the harmonica, it won't matter at all! Scenario 2) if you *do* end up liking the harmonica, you'll buy more eventually... and C+A are the ones to start from. C to get yourself loads of tunes and study material, A to have a low tone range and play along with any guitar's most common chord: E - Again, I'm no expert -

[@NoirFan01]

I have a hard time bending on a D harmonica, compared to C, G and A

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

Dang I did good then. I got a C first then a D (country tuned), an A and an F. My next purchase will be a Bb and a G. Btw what harp are you playing here? My last purchase was 2 Manji M20s and I find they don’t react as nicely as the special 20s I have. Gonna try adjusting the gapping but still. Love the tone just not the reaction of it.

[@colinking8374]

Hi tomlin, are these all in major keys? I'm looking to expand my harmonica range

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Yes :-)

[@designleostudio]

I have 4 harmonicas that i bought (c, e, a and g) and 6 gift harmonicas from my friends

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Sweet!

[@RamCharan-rg3no]

Hello Tomlin. I love your videos a lot. I have a question, that what makes different Harmonicas sound different? I don't mean the keys, I mean by the cheap and expensive Harmonicas. Is it the material used which makes the difference? Or it is leakiness? Can a cheap silver Star made to sound like a special 20 by customising?

[@vasyltrushchak7536]

I'm not Tomlin, but let me answer for you as the person that owns 12 harps of different keys and models. Leakiness is the biggest point. but it comes from the quality of harmonica. Also there is some engeneering that is put into more expensive harmonica which makes them better in one or other way (for example responce, character of sound, convenience for harpr etc.). I can tell you about different harps and features that makes them different if you want, and also about the influence of materials and harmonica construction on their sound and tone (from my own experience about my collection). As I know, customising silver star is something like if you buy old volkswagen beetle and try to make it run like formula 1. surely you will get some result but the same way like with cars -- the difference in their build won't make them even opponents. I started with silver star and when I got new better harp I felt the difference right from the first blow. It's just another level. China vs Germany. The difference in prices really shows the matter of things. If you want me to tell more, just let me know.

[@TimGreig]

Old thread but I bought a Silver Star as my first harp to see if I liked playing. I mean, Hohner, quality brand, right? It is a piece of junk, but luckily didnt put me off. Got a Special 20 and realised (for once) the problem was the harmonica, not me!

[@chakreshjoshi4302]

:fire

[@ludweeg_frfr]

0:00 hoodoo man blues?

[@RikklesFisher]

Would a low f suffice instead of an f?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I'm not a fan of Low F in a band situation as it tends to get lost in the mix. If you are playing by yourself then it can work quite well.

[@viktorfrih3843]

Are you talking about minor or mager on the guitar?

[@rioanantaperangin-angin6521]

I have one very important question, do you read Brandon Sanderson?

[@danlaxer514]

Alright! I've got 4 of the 6.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Awesome! get shopping :-)

[@smartagency7777]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@IliaDem]

Most five-piece harmonica sets are made of keys of CAGED. Why do you think key of E is not as useful as D, F, Bb?

[@jeffreypowell4954]

There are actually seven harps using this, harmonica key of E.

[@pedropinon2553]

And what about the E one? It makes you play in B when you crossharp, and it is a good midde point between D and F harps... I'm not sabotaging hehe just wanting to understand your point... I've been playing harmonicas for over four years, and I know what I like in terms of brands/materials, and also about key choices. For me that's the least important thing. I'd just suggest not to start on a super low like G, or a really high one like F.. (cause that will make it difficult to learn at the beginning). But the truth is, once you've got the air thing controlled, there's not a simple one that you play more or less (at least in my case)... In almost every song you'll need to change the harp if you want to play all the styles in tune... So, there's not 6 harps you need nor 20... It is (for me) more of "as many as you like and can afford, go and by them, cause they won't be left over". Sorry I didn't get your point totally. The video is good, though... I also started that way (and it went good), first with a C, then the D and later an A... but I really don't think that has changed anything... I just did what youtubers suggested me to do but... honestly I would have been more motivated if I had found out earlier how I loved train rhythms on an A harp before... When I bought my first harp in C, I didnt know as many tunes in G as I needed to practice... But now I believe choosing an A harp would have been better to start, not because it's probably the favourite guitarist players key, but mainly for its ease to sound perfect on train rhythms (not too high not too low) and those (train rhythms) are one of the easiest points to start managing your air. So again. It wasn't an A because musicians love playing in E (naaah, musicians will actually hate E if they find you're only playing with them in that key... they love changing)... It was a matter of personal satisfaction towards a type of sound which guide me to choose that harp before other ones. Pd: This is not a critic. I've appreciated your effort and gave a thumb up!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks for your thoughts Pedro. I definitely agree that it is all about your requirements which become more and more personal as you progress. The 6 harmonicas I recommend are the ones that will enable you to arrive at a jam session and have most (not all) bases covered.

[@vladimirantipin306]

Tomlin, thank you for the video! How many positions harmonica has?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Vladimir, each harmonica has 12 positions but you will find that most players only use a handful of positions. I personally focus on 1st, 2nd and 3rd with occasional 5th. Some other players are keen on 12th as well :-)

[@vladimirantipin306]

@@TomlinHarmonica Thank you so much for the answer!!!

[@vladimirantipin306]

​@@TomlinHarmonica Could I write you in facebook messenger? I need you advice)

[@TomlinHarmonica]

@@vladimirantipin306 my email address is [e-mail] (Messenger is a little chaotic)

[@georgemavrommatis8531]

DEAR TOMLIN , I GUESS YOU NEED DIFFERENT KEYS TO PLAY WITH DIFFERENT KEYS OF BACKING TRACKS. AM I VERY WRONG THAT I HAVE ONLY 2 HARMONICAS (C AND F) AND I CHANGE THE PITC OF THE BACKING TRACKS VIA AUDACITY ???

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi George, that is not "very" wrong but I do think you are missing out on a lot of the great differences between keys.

[@trafalgar1938]

I notice Tomlin that you bought a harmonica instead of razor blades. An excellent decision.

[@barbur4922]

U look alike Kevin from home alone movie ;)

[@JohnnyBazooka]

If you want to know what harmonicas you need, ask yourself: What kind of music do I want to play? Do I play blues or folk songs? Do I want to play in a big band, just for myself or with a friend who plays guitar? That are the important questions which tell you which harmonicas you really need.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Solid point - I'm definitely looking at it from a Blues perspective.

[@keesvanderlinden5753]

Hello Tomlin. Thank you very much for all your instructions on harmonica. I started to play the harmonica 2 months ago and find them very usefull. My small question for you is: I noticed that the high notes on my C harmonica, as wel as other keys I have (G and D), are diffycult to play. The tones are blocking reguarly, mostly hole 8, 9 and 10. I hear a soft very high tone at that moment. I know it is me doing something wrong, but I don't know what. Hope to fins out what to do. Kind regards. Kees

[@winstonchurchill624]

Kees Van Der Linden What you need to do is sorta relax your mouth, and you may be trying to blow too much air. Try backing off a little bit.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I'm sorry to hear that Kees. Winston Churchill has given you great advice :-)

[@43reardon]

Also try slightly adjusting the angle of the harp in your mouth slightly

[@badraldenshalgen4489]

👍👉