Not as easy as it looks ....

LiveeviL2000

LiveeviL2000

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I got this idea in my head to do a cover of The Wizard by Black Sabbath. Guitar, bass, vocals, maybe even drums.
But the cover wouldn't be right without the harmonica.
I picked up a set of harmonicas (is that the right plural?) last week and started practicing.

I have found, there is a ton more to it than, no other way to say it, blowing and sucking (insert jokes here, go ahead I'll wait).:rolleyes:

As the title says, not as easy as it looks.
There are bending techniques, and various other techniques involved. Granted I'm only trying to learn the parts to one song, but the subtilties of this instrument has intrigued me.

Anyone here have any experience with playing harmonica?
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
I made the mistake of going in thinking, "how hard could it be?" ... and down the rabbit hole I go!!
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From what I have read and been told by people that can play one. The basics aren't rocket science. If your song's in G you play the G harmonica. You can't blow a wrong note..... or so Ive. been told. Now..... and it'd be a big now for me.... playing it and making it sound right with the song would be rocket science.

Good luck. I have faith you'll get it.
 
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iblive said:
From what I have read and been told by people that can play one. The basics aren't rocket science. If your song's in G you play the G harmonica. You can't blow a wrong note..... or so Ive. been told. Now..... and it'd be a big now for me.... playing it and making it sound right with the song would be rocket science.

Good luck. I have faith you'll get it.
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Yes, the basics arent rocket science.
From what I've been researching, it seems whatever key the song is in, count up 4 notes and that is the harmonica to use. For example, key of A, then counting up A, B, C, D. So I would use a D. There are variations depending who you ask.

When I look up how to play the harmonica intro to the wizard, its all over the place. some say use a G, others a D ... I think since its gonna be a cover, I'll use whatever the hell I want and put my thumbprint on it. I was already planning to change it up a little anyway.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
Yes, the basics arent rocket science.
From what I've been researching, it seems whatever key the song is in, count up 4 notes and that is the harmonica to use. For example, key of A, then counting up A, B, C, D. So I would use a D. There are variations depending who you ask.

When I look up how to play the harmonica intro to the wizard, its all over the place. some say use a G, others a D ... I think since its gonna be a cover, I'll use whatever the hell I want and put my thumbprint on it. I was already planning to change it up a little anyway.
Click to expand...
I have one. I believe it’s in the key of C. I’ve messed around with it, but never with a song. So. Yeah. I’m clueless. But then. Most times that’s normal. :pound-hand:
 
I played for some time. Yea, sucking and bending, etc. You also have to be aware that when you suck you are in mixolydian mode - a different key than blowing. So, if the song is in E you need a key of A harp and if it's in A you need a key of D harp. This is only if you are using suck method, which Ozzy is.
 
Sapient said:
I played for some time. Yea, sucking and bending, etc. You also have to be aware that when you suck you are in mixolydian mode - a different key than blowing. So, if the song is in E you need a key of A harp and if it's in A you need a key of D harp. This is only if you are using suck method, which Ozzy is.
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Now I understand my issue with harmonica. I suck.
 
I've had a harmonica since before I had a guitar, 1981 I think. I still can't play it, lol. I think too much, there have been times over the years where I just mindlessly went at it and surprised myself, but that's only happened 2 or 3 times i'd guess. It's not as easy as it looks that's for sure.
 
A really fun way to learn to blow a little harp is crank up a bunch of blues jam tracks, cup a mic with your hands and run it through an amp. It's super fun/enjoyable and sure to annoy the HELL out of your neighbors. And yes, choosing the right key for cross harp (4 steps up) will get you in the proper bluesy zone. Once you can get those bends going on the suck, work on trills. First harp guitar tune Heart of Gold by neil young is pretty easy all around and sounds pretty pro with not a lot of effort. You'll need one of those neck brace thingies tho.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
Yes, the basics arent rocket science.
From what I've been researching, it seems whatever key the song is in, count up 4 notes and that is the harmonica to use. For example, key of A, then counting up A, B, C, D. So I would use a D. There are variations depending who you ask.

When I look up how to play the harmonica intro to the wizard, its all over the place. some say use a G, others a D ... I think since its gonna be a cover, I'll use whatever the hell I want and put my thumbprint on it. I was already planning to change it up a little anyway.
Click to expand...
Cross harp.
My bro cranks on one ok just used YouTube tutorial.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
I got this idea in my head to do a cover of The Wizard by Black Sabbath. Guitar, bass, vocals, maybe even drums.
But the cover wouldn't be right without the harmonica.
I picked up a set of harmonicas (is that the right plural?) last week and started practicing.

I have found, there is a ton more to it than, no other way to say it, blowing and sucking (insert jokes here, go ahead I'll wait).:rolleyes:

As the title says, not as easy as it looks.
There are bending techniques, and various other techniques involved. Granted I'm only trying to learn the parts to one song, but the subtilties of this instrument has intrigued me.

Anyone here have any experience with playing harmonica?
Click to expand...
There is a chromonica that has a whammy bar for 1/2 steps...
maybe that's what they used to record it?
 
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