From: NED_KRA~P-PALOALTO-OM20.om.hp.com Date: Thu, 10 Oct 96 14:46:00 -0700 Subject: Which keys?
Item Subject: cc:Mail Text I'm back after a few days of e-mail limbo, thanks hugh.
I'm voting with the crowd on popular keys.
If you're at a blues jam then A, D, C and F are fine choices. If you want to play along with the radio I'd recommend all 12 keys, although playing along with the radio with only a C harp is good for learning about the various positions (also good for frustration on occasion). When I go on a trip I admit I throw an A, C, D and an Ab harp in my case. The Ab can be quite valuable with all the Stevie Ray clones playing and tuning down 1/2 step (this can also make a Db harp quite useful). The first band I ever sat in with tuned down so I was really glad that I had all 12 keys.
Buy all 12 keys, I'll recommend Huang harmonicas - you can get a 12 key pack for ~$110 and I've had good luck with the quality (1/10 need attention before gigging with them, vs. 1/4 for Hohner - Lee Oskar's last longer, but the one I just bought was badly out of tune - Iron Mike says he's never gotten a bad LO and he buys more of them the I do, but he's only testing the quality of the C harps ;). Not affiliated, but I play Huangs at gigs and in the studio.
I'll recommend Jon Gindick's "Rock and Blues Harmonica" if you're a true beginner.
