Shout Out to AceI'm copying this from another topic thread:
Someone said (was it Tyson?) that no good ever comes from counting the cost of one's hobby.
What this means is, as far as your instrument of choice now goes - That nothing in the harmonica universe you're going to ever do is free!
Sure, yes, on the one hand, you have free YouTube videos, free JP Allen email lessons, and even free advice from this place and elsewhere.
However, even if you get all the harmonicas and harpin' gear in the world you want by the kindness of your parents and so forth - Well, seriously, in order to play you have to pay your dues!
I have never read anywhere - And I read a lot! - That harmonica playing was easy.
I did and do read that anybody who willing puts in the time and effort, even if they have to struggle with this or that technique for however long it takes - Can and does accomplish them eventually! Not even Jason Ricci was born playing a harmonica, yo!
At the same time - When it comes to which harmonica should I get? Which harmonica is best and all that jazz?!
Well, we who have invested in them can only give you our reviews of how and what we feel about them. There is no ONE perfect harmonica for everybody!
{Well Harrison USA is working on making the best harmonicas they can for everybody. However too, at their rates, it's more a luxury item for even the most experienced player - amatuer, pro and whatever! So that doesn't even come into play here at this time.}
As far as thinking customized and all that jazz?! Well, if you are well off and you have the backing of somebody somwhere - Okay Great! That's how Tiger Woods and the Williams Sisters got their starts. More power to you, dude! Sincerely...
On the other hand, if not - Well, your money is going to be going into your hobby now. So looks like washing cars, raking leaves, part time jobs and all that is going to get you there.
And yet, you'll still have to pay your dues on whatever harmonicas you do get anyways. That's a fact, jack!
Now as far as songs and stuff goes - Well there are plenty of free harp tab sites on the internet. We post plenty of them here for everybody to learn from when we discover them.
However, you have to realize not all music is harp tabbed. That's just the way it is. Not even harptabs.com can keep up with it all!
So if you find or want to play something that isn't harp tabbed -- Well, the next thing is to get the sheet music which is always avaiable, and learn how to read and play the music using the harmonica.
But then realize you're now entering into Howard Levy territory who was a piano player and musician first before he ever picked up a harmonica. And he had to pay his dues on this instrument too!
Bottom line for you now is: All teachers and all students say the 2 and 3 hole are difficult to get to. All teachers and all students say any type of draw/blow bending, even before you bring overdrawing and overblowing into the picture, is difficult to get to.
Not to even mention just playing solid tunes with single notes! That's not easy either. Yet it is an accomplishment when you can and will do it.
And still, it's all part and parcel of the harmonica universe, bro!
We can give you advice on what we do and have done; direct you where to go to get help, even if that requires you buying tapes, books, lessons, etc. --
And we support you in your efforts always!
However, if you push yourself too hard and too fast - Well, actually, we're not going to get frustrated, although we sympathize because we know too those feelings - But really, it's going to be your frustations alone. And yes, that's just the way it is as well.
Better for you to take it slow, steady, and easy. And then you'll find you'll be making quantaum leaps and having plenty of Aha-Eureka moments that will blow your mind!
Hope this helps you along the way of your harmonica journey!
As always: Have Fun!
Keep us posted!
Keep on Harpin'!
Peace & SPD Out!
