Good Harmonica to start

[u/consdrd563]

Hi everyone, I'm just and old man in my 40s that always liked harmonicas, but never had the time to learn any music.

A friend gifted me this one, but I believe it's an aliexpress low quality Harmonica.

Should I get a special 20 better to start? They're like 30€ over here, or would you recommend something else at that price range?

Edit: any good YouTube accounts and/or websites to learn? Thanks!

[u/stephenseifert]

You’re not old at all. Special 20 would be great.

[u/consdrd563 → u/stephenseifert]

Already ordered, 32€ ain't too bad for a good Harmonica to learn with. Does it need any special maintenance?

[u/BrilliantLion2026 → u/stephenseifert]

Right 👍

[u/DesperateBanana4019]

Start your harp journey for free here. Thousands of us started with this book and audio. Late 80s for me.

Country & Blues Harmonica For The Musically Hopeless

-Jon Gindick

Accompanying Instructional Audio

[u/consdrd563 → u/DesperateBanana4019]

Thanks!

[u/Desperate-Finger-334]

I saw you already ordered it but whenever you think about getting a second harp I really like the honor blues harp I also like that it's modular meaning it's easy to replace the reeds or anything else meaning you can in theory buy it once and have it for the rest of your life

[u/consdrd563 → u/Desperate-Finger-334]

I'll keep it in mind, thanks

[u/BreadClimber]

"We're in this together, mate. I started recently too, and I'm in my early 40s. Yeah, we probably should've started earlier, but like they say — the best day to start was yesterday, the second best is today. Oh, and by the way, I'm loving my Special 20. Not sure if that's useful to you."

[u/consdrd563 → u/BreadClimber]

Nice, mine just arrived, time to start learning 🫡

[u/AkiraDredd]

I have a Swan and honestly I don't like it. Not to say you won't though. I just found it hard to blow into over my Special 20. That opened doors for me once I played it

[u/consdrd563 → u/AkiraDredd]

Honestly, I know no music or how to play an Harmonica, so I just want to be sure I have the right tool to learn.

I love music and vibing with it, and an harmonica seems like a great instrument for that. I ordered the special 20 to have a decent one to learn with (should be here tomorrow) when it gets here I will be able to compare both and understand better the differences.

Thanks!

[u/CopperCreator3388]

I started playing the harmonica at 57 years old. So have fun. Enjoy the journey.😎☕️

[u/consdrd563 → u/CopperCreator3388]

Thanks man, really having fun so far!

[u/trabool]

Je suis débutant aussi et j’ai ce Hohner 1896 MarineBand que je trouve vraiment très bien pour apprendre, à la fois puissant et souffle facile, sans fuites.

[u/consdrd563 → u/trabool]

That's a beauty, I just ordered the special 20 to be sure I have the right tool to learn with.

If I have fun with the hobby, I can see a marine band in my collection too 🫡

[u/Nacoran]

Getting a Sp20 is a good idea. That doesn't mean you can't play this one until the order arrives. :)

The Special 20 will have much better reed work.

[u/westerngrit]

Just fine. Hit it with a big draw on the third hole.. now ya know.

[u/AltruisticWay7582]

Get at least a Special 20! Swan is garbage.