What Harmonica I should buy first?
So you’ve been interested to start playing harmonica. The first thing in your mind is most likely, what harmonica I should buy?
There is many options available and so many harmonica keys. In my opinion, this question is very easy.
You should always start playing Harmonica in key of C.
But what model? Here is a short answer: For the first harmonica you should buy is:
Hohner Special 20 in key of C
This should cost around 30 $ / €. Countless of Harmonica players recommend this harmonica for your first harmonica. You don´t need any more expensive to start with and especially avoid the cheaper ones.
Quality harmonicas starting harmonicas price range is around 30 – 50 usd / euros.
If your local dealers don`t have Hohner Special 20, here is some good alternatives.
- Lee Oskar
- Hohner Marine Band
- Honer Pro Harp MS
- C.A. Seydel Söhne 1847
- Kongsheng Mars
- Easttop T008K
If you are on budget, there has been good reviews on Eastop T008K harmonica, its around 20 bucks.
What Harmonicas NOT to buy?
Avoid toy harmonicas, cheap harmonicas (10 usd or less). These usually have really bad tuning, broken reeds from the gecko etc.
The more expensive / mid range harmonicas (like Special 20) are usually the good ones. I would say that the risky range of bad harmonicas begins, if the harmonica costs less than 20 usd.
If you buy the harmonica that costs just a few bucks, it most likely will be bad and you will lose interest learning to play.
Harmonicas are not that expensive so get one good one like recommended above. 30 usd is not that bad first invest for a new hobby.
Also dont buy cheap kits with set of harmonicas. In the beginning, you do not need 10 bad harmonicas, you only need one good one with the key of C.
-Harmonica Joe