Blues key

Nick · 17th Aug 2007, 01:34 PM

I have a Hohner Special 20, key of C at the moment.

I'm wanting something more "old blues" sounding, do I need to go down to around A or up to around G?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

FatJim · 17th Aug 2007, 02:32 PM

In harmonica terms it's down to both. Standard A and G harps are both lower pitched than a C.

As for bluesier sounding, I'm not really sure what you mean; it's got very little to do with the key. A C harp can sound very bluesey.

I'm sorry but there are no 'magic' keys, harps amps or mics that will make you an instant blues king. Good old fashioned practice is the only way!

Many newbie players make the mistake of assuming that because harps are cheap and small, that they are easy to master... just remember though, those old blues guys lived and breathed harmonica. If you want to master it you will have to do the same.

What stage are you at? Can you bend notes? Do you understand "cross harp" (2nd position) - Let us know. There are folk here, myself included who'll be happy to help you make progress, but I personally need to put your question into some sort of context; I don't want to give you advice that is way over your ability - it really isn't helpful to run before you can walk, but similarly I don't want to patronise you if you already have some skill.

Nick · 17th Aug 2007, 04:48 PM

Hey Jim.

I can bend notes and would say I'm coming out of beginner to intermediate now.

I'm not looking for a "instant blues" magic key, just one that sounds a bit more common among the greatest blues artists and that's a lower pitch!

Thanks Jim.

FatJim · 17th Aug 2007, 05:44 PM

Fair enough...

I'm still not sure I agree with your reasoning - like I said - C is a perfectly bluesey key and I can think of many, many songs by great blues harp legends like Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Big Walter and Butterfield, that were played on a C harp. But if you want a lower pitched harp I'd recommend you get an A next.

Scott · 17th Aug 2007, 07:32 PM

A... good country key!

CinemaDave · 5th Oct 2007, 07:08 PM

It is funny to think that some of the greeat Harp Masters used what was ever available. Fans like us want to know all the details; is it a Horner? Is it a Lee Osker? Key "C" or "A"?

Syd-Blues · 6th Oct 2007, 01:44 PM

I think that's the same in everything music...an example: Marshall recently made 'Hendrix' amps and with a 'Hendrix' guitar one should sound like Hendrix.

A is a great key for Harp.

17th Aug 2007, 01:34 PM	#1
Nick Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York Country: United Kingdom Posts: 270	Blues key I have a Hohner Special 20, key of C at the moment. I'm wanting something more "old blues" sounding, do I need to go down to around A or up to around G? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ - Nick. "Remember, no matter whom you are and what you do to live, to thrive and survive there are still some things that make us all the same.â€œ - Dan Aykroyd (Everybody needs Somebody).

17th Aug 2007, 02:32 PM	#2
FatJim Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nottingham Country: United Kingdom Posts: 560	Re: Blues key In harmonica terms it's down to both. Standard A and G harps are both lower pitched than a C. As for bluesier sounding, I'm not really sure what you mean; it's got very little to do with the key. A C harp can sound very bluesey. I'm sorry but there are no 'magic' keys, harps amps or mics that will make you an instant blues king. Good old fashioned practice is the only way! Many newbie players make the mistake of assuming that because harps are cheap and small, that they are easy to master... just remember though, those old blues guys lived and breathed harmonica. If you want to master it you will have to do the same. What stage are you at? Can you bend notes? Do you understand "cross harp" (2nd position) - Let us know. There are folk here, myself included who'll be happy to help you make progress, but I personally need to put your question into some sort of context; I don't want to give you advice that is way over your ability - it really isn't helpful to run before you can walk, but similarly I don't want to patronise you if you already have some skill.

17th Aug 2007, 04:48 PM	#3
Nick Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York Country: United Kingdom Posts: 270	Re: Blues key Hey Jim. I can bend notes and would say I'm coming out of beginner to intermediate now. I'm not looking for a "instant blues" magic key, just one that sounds a bit more common among the greatest blues artists and that's a lower pitch! Thanks Jim. __________________ - Nick. "Remember, no matter whom you are and what you do to live, to thrive and survive there are still some things that make us all the same.â€œ - Dan Aykroyd (Everybody needs Somebody).

17th Aug 2007, 05:44 PM	#4
FatJim Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nottingham Country: United Kingdom Posts: 560	Re: Blues key Fair enough... I'm still not sure I agree with your reasoning - like I said - C is a perfectly bluesey key and I can think of many, many songs by great blues harp legends like Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Big Walter and Butterfield, that were played on a C harp. But if you want a lower pitched harp I'd recommend you get an A next.

17th Aug 2007, 07:32 PM	#5
Scott Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vancouver Country: Canada Posts: 2,805	Re: Blues key A... good country key! __________________ Blues Brothers Private: http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/asin/0399504761 Blues Brothers novel: http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/asin/0515056308

5th Oct 2007, 07:08 PM	#6
CinemaDave Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Florida Country: United States Posts: 7	Re: Blues key It is funny to think that some of the greeat Harp Masters used what was ever available. Fans like us want to know all the details; is it a Horner? Is it a Lee Osker? Key "C" or "A"?

6th Oct 2007, 01:44 PM	#7
Syd-Blues Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NY Country: United States Posts: 3,688	Re: Blues key I think that's the same in everything music...an example: Marshall recently made 'Hendrix' amps and with a 'Hendrix' guitar one should sound like Hendrix. A is a great key for Harp. __________________ joking, of course.


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