What Harmonica Should I Start With? My top 3 picks!

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I see this question often: what harmonica should i start with?
In this video I break down what you should avoid and 3 recommendations to new players.
Special 20
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Easttop
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Crossover
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Does anyone care for a hohner special 20 review? Let me know!
I hope this video helps you find out what harmonica should i buy for a beginner or even what harmonica should i buy for blues.

[@greggmarkowski5203]

Good video! I agree with all of this. I would say for the money, and if you're just wanting to start out, give the instrument a try and only want one or two harps at first, the Special 20 is a great instrument. They bend easily, sound great, the plastic doesn't swell and you can't beat the price for something that is a credible instrument. The crossover might be a bit too much to spend on a first instrument that you may or may not continue playing. But it's still not super expensive and sounds great. Best of all the comb is wood but it is lacquered, which keeps out moisture and more importantly allows your mouth to move up and down the comb easily with no hang ups. My only very small quibble with Jonah is the basic Marine Band actually is great. He is correct, they don't have screws, they have nails, so they are not impossible to open but a lot harder than models with screws. And I always lose the nails. But I have many Marine Bands and love them. I would say if you want a Marine Band pay the extra and get the Marine Band Deluxe. Same as the Marine Band but they are lacquered and they are put together with screws. But to sum up, the Special 20 is they way to go with your first couple of harps. I wish I had had Jonah's great advice starting out. It's all so confusing so I tried a lot of different harps before I found what works best for me. And the Special 20 was my favorite during the first six months I was learning to play.

[@sagehopkins1]

You are my favorite new face on the scene harp guru with these consistently inspiring, fun and entertaining harmonica classes.

[@youmustbethistall5861]

I'm waiting on Amazon to deliver my Special 20 (tomorrow); and your advice on buying the best "tool" you can afford is spot on. I've explained that to people especially in acoustic guitars; go as much as you can afford so it will stay in tune and adjust the action to make it play right (4mm at 12th fret). You'll get a fair idea of your actual progress and in the end if you don't like it, you can still get more of your money back than if you wasted money on some no-name cheap-o. For the record, I'd like to say I play guitar, but I play AT guitar more than I play it. I just can't seem to motivate. Hoping I can do better on harmonica.

[@pamj2395]

I like your comment you play At; I totally get it. I have 3 collecting dust now, but I love them all. 😅

[@faethe000]

Got my first Crossover this week. Yep, it's super nice.

[@faethe000]

Coming back to this after 2 months. I went back to my Seydels. The crossover just has too many sharp corners and edges and the tuning is a little shrill to my ears. It's a high quality harp, but wasn't for me.

[@wahyusatrio981]

harmonika seydel tipe yang mana yang menjadi favorit mu ? salam saya dari indonesia

[@andydunn5673]

This is the best in my opinion. 60 percent of my Harps are Crossovers. A pro harp for just a little more.

[@DimebagDan81]

Start with a Fender Blues Deluxe in C (more common) or A (more fun) to see if it's something you like. If it is? Gift that Fender to an interested friend and move up to something nicer. For Hohners, the Rocket is king if we're not talking amplified/mic'ed up. Once you start thinking about amplification and mics, it's time to step up to the Crossover. Harmo is another great brand that's newer to the scene but have an extensive catalog of well designed harps as well as a custom shop where you can just go nuts! Great video as always!

[@danielphillips7537]

Another good harmonica that I think would be good to start with is the Dabell Story. Dabell as you know is the new kid on the block from South Korea and as far as I can tell they are really good harps for the money. The Story is different from the Dabell Noble in that it has recessed reed plates like the Special 20 and Lee Oskar and like those harps has a plastic comb. It is responsive and bright (maybe too bright for some people) and would be a good harp to learn on as with my experience plastic is easier to play than wood for newbies. BTW, I really like your channel, Jonah.

[@sk22ng]

I practice a lot to background music and prefer my Hohner Rocket Amp harps with the green plastic combs for this because they are silky smooth, precise, and have noticeably more volume over any of my other harps. Although my Crossovers with the bamboo combs are awesome, I use them more for amplified playing as they have a wonderful sound and amplifiers take care of the volume issue. My third choice is the Special 20's. They are nice, but the first two are much more joyful for me to play. Some of the professional harp players like The Blues Traveler prefer the Special 20's over the others and really rock on them.

[@DimebagDan81]

This is the way... Though the Rocket Amp is designed to be, well, amplified... The standard Rocket is my go to for acoustic playing and the Crossover is king of mic'ed up!

[@weshughes5180]

My recommend is the Special 20. Like you say the East top isent bad. I would also recommend the Big River from Hohner. Breaks down real nice. A little rougher than the Special 20 but good value for money at $60 CAD.

[@mikebottiaux5850]

Noah, good stuff! I’m just getting back in to harmonicas after many years, I enjoy your videos.

[@thepogona2391]

Im gonna get a SCX-56 0 experience harmonica playing, however ive been playing the trombone for many years and have a strong understanding of music theory. I also specifically want to play songs that require it :P, chose the suzuki because it feels like the best quality instrument for my interest right now.

[@locoslococo]

Something to think about.. You can buy 1 crossover/ 2 Special 20's or 3 Easttop's for (roughly) the same price.. I would recommend buying three easttop's in different keys.

[@kellykellogg9451]

I actually use the Easttop 008k. I've never had a problem with the reeds and sticking and have actually giving away my Special 20's. Im not supported by any company and i agree with Luke Clebsch that the Easttop is Superior for beginners and pro's alike .

[@expat8460]

I got the Lee Oscar hopes that’s a beginner friendly one.

[@Bloozguy]

Hohner special 20 is like $78 CAD I just got an EASTTOP for like $32 CAD, key of A. I can't even play harmonica, couple of licks a bit, shitty blues guitar player that likes a good blues harp. Even I could bend the notes right out of the box, and it was in tune all the way. I also have a Suzuki C harp, which is a bit more money, and the only diff is that it's perhaps a bit smoother on the lips. The Easttop weights in around 85 g, while the Suzuki is about 66 or so.... Nothing wrong with the Easttop.... perfectly good to learn on. Suzuki is ok too. $10 more, but not sure you get 10 bucks better quality.....But then, I don't know what I'm talking about, lol. Got an C Suzuki... A Easttop (to learn Juke) and I might get one more. Not sure what key next. But most likely will be another Easttop now....I don't like sets, get more than i'll need for sure. Oh... NEVER buy a cheap set! Got a set of Hohner Piedmonts a few years ago for like, $28. The case is ok, but really junk items. Unless you like sucking in air for no much music. I just use them now for testing out which one works in a given key a tune is in if my guitar is not handy.

[@docsavagefan2795]

My favorites are the Special 20, Suzuki Bluesmaster my least favorite the Easttop.

[@sepultura7771]

The more harmonicas I try out, the more I keep going back to the Special 20

[@raiders345]

The reeds on my Special 20 keep getting stuck, so I just ordered a Suzuki Bluesmaster. I'm hoping I have better luck with the Suzuki Bluesmaster!

[@sepultura7771]

@@raiders345 I like this Suzuki blues master a lot, it is a very underrated harmonica, I think you’ll be happy

[@garyraney7760]

You can't go wrong with a Hohner Special 20 or a Suzuki harp

[@sk22ng]

@@raiders345 The better you keep your mouth free of particulates the fewer the chances of getting stuck reeds. I play a lot and get most of my practice time in while driving. Because of this I keep dental floss in my vehicles to use after every meal while on the road. The cleaner you keep your mouth the smaller the chance of a harmonica getting plugged. Almost all of these plugging's are temporary and most of them resolve themselves fairly quickly. The good harps have tight clearances between the reeds and the reed plates to keep them fairly airtight. The more airtight they are the less air needed to play. Particulates as small as a few thousandths of an inch in size will stop a reed in its tracks no matter what harp is played. I do encourage buying different harps to try them out and find the right one for you. Keep playing brother! Practice often and never give up playing.

[@markwalmsley5892]

Hi Jonah Harpo Mark walmsley here I've tried several harmonicas in my time been playing about 15 years started with the old Marine band with the nails had to use butter knife to open the cover plates in the back tried to special twenties the Lee Oscars like the golden Melody tried the sidel blue session steel which I thought was a piece of junk slow response low tone wouldn't recommend them to anybody try the honor crossover fantastic we'll never go to another harmonica question I am using a champ 600 amp replace speaker with a Weber signature microphone original honor blues blaster Crystal element jt30mc151 inside how can I get overdrive crunch at a low volume don't break up and overdrive till about 5 or 6:00 on the volume control how can I get more overdrive at a lower volume perhaps a pedal suggestion maybe the little fatty or an inexpensive overdrive pedal

[@generally_good_guy]

I have a Swan in C, a Honer Blues Harp in A, and another that is quite different. It has a double row of holes, and there's more than ten holes (x2 though, because two rows). I do not play yet, just happen to have these harmonicas. Do you recommend investing in another, or just going with what i own now? Btw, great video.

[@rhondagood2408]

You can use just one key on all songs or do you need a set? Thank you

[@Airedale721]

Nice review; thank you.

[@isaacodunaike6978]

Could you tell me if the Bee Diatonic harmonica are good?

[@soslothful]

I have the computer skills of a potato. To get the "Launchpad" do I just click on Download? Would you consider a video review of printed tutorials like "For Dummies" John Gindick's several books, David Harp and such like?

[@pamj2395]

Hi Jonah, I'm considering getting a harmonica to help open up my bronchi and lungs as Im having issues. As a player yourself, is this instrument a good lung workout? I come from a musical family. My Dad played guitar as well as 2 brothers and myself (though never good) and one brother played harmonica with guitar and another is a great drummer for past 45 yrs. I appreciate your feedback. You play quite well.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Very good lung workout. Almost too good

[@pamj2395]

@@HarmonicaRevolution Good to know. Thanks. 👍🏼

[@arkadiuszk.3898]

What about Manji from Suzuki or Suzuki Bluesmaster?

[@sedefcanbazoglu9435]

Great video! Could you help me choosing between Special 20 and Golden Melody? This will be a gift for my husband (beginner) and I think he would fall in love with the retro design of Golden Melody, but is it more easy to learn and play with Special 20 than with Golden Melody? Btw he’s playing guitar and loves rock, blues ect. (Which harp and key (C?) goes alongside the acoustic guitar (some acoustic rock covers and maybe some popular songs?) I’m confused and need your help asap please! 🌸 (They’re both expensive and nearly have similar prices in my country, meaning I probably won’t be buying any other harp in the near future) Thank you in advance!

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Special 20 in C! Golden Melody’s have much cleaner sound and they are better for players with more developed control.

[@sedefcanbazoglu9435]

@@HarmonicaRevolution Thank you!

[@HarPlayer]

Hohner Cross Over Ronnie Shellist. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@YehudaKaminsky]

Thank you for the video! Can please tell what kind of harmonica and in what key is used on the song The Wizard by Black Sabbath? I would like buy the harmonica to perform this song with my band. Thank you in advance

[@locoslococo]

I'm sure you have figured it out bye now .Do a search on "chord u" and it will tell you the key, But it depends on what key your band are playing it in. seems to be in F# or G mostly..

[@locoslococo]

Just tried playing along with it and a G harmonica fits well....

[@YehudaKaminsky]

@@locoslococo thank you very much for the reply 🎸🎵😊

[@ntdetdo8080]

What about the honher rocket amp?

[@stephenglazer4224]

It's a great harp but pricier then the special 20. I prefer the crossover to the rocket but its just a matter of taste.

[@detharp]

by cheap, by twice . start with stradivari , steinway n sons and a joel anderson instrument, you wont regret.

[@locoslococo]

Harmonica's have come a long way in the three years since this video was made,I'm not criticizing this video- search for a video made in 2023.

[@hamdog8872]

69

[@MrFoolingyu]

Blues are so squeeky. Who actually plays them anyway?

[@AsadAli-jc5tg]

That's propaganda video, trashy propaganda against Chromatic Harmonica.