People often ask me 'what's the best harmonica?' and 'what's a good harmonica brand?'!
When looking for harmonicas for beginners it can get a bit tricky. That's why I've put together this free harmonica lesson discussing what the best harmonicas are.
My recommendations for harmonica for blues are based on my decades of experience playing around the world and teaching hundreds of thousands of students. Hope you enjoy!
📢 I've included the links on all the harmonica in case you want to buy them. Just so you know I receive a small commission if you buy through these links. You don't need to use the links at all.
What is the best harmonica for blues music?
First off, to play blues you will need a 10-hole diatonic harmonica. This instrument will probably chime with your instinctive image of a harmonica.
Diatonic harmonicas are the most common harmonica for blues, by far. This is because they have a soulful, bluesy tone and they allow you to play great expressive bends that are such a big part of the iconic blues harmonica sound.
However, there are loads of good harmonica brands and models of diatonic harmonica, and I know your time is valuable. So here are my top 4 suggestions for blues harmonicas for beginners:
1. Hohner Special 20
This is the harp that I use more than any other - it's certainly my best harmonica. What makes the Special 20 harmonica great is that it is relatively affordable, airtight and robust. They are responsive - this means you don't have to blow hard to get a great sound - and bend pretty easily too. The plastic comb is easy on the lips and doesn't swell or crack with moisture.
As a player I endorse Hohner harmonicas (you can read about that here). Hohner is a good harmonica brand and they provide exemplary harmonicas for beginners.
🚨 Beware! You can get cheaper harps that look very similar to a Special 20, but they are usually terrible instruments and should be avoided because they'll make everything more difficult to play.
2. Seydel Blues Session
The Seydel Blues Session is a high quality harmonica. Seydel are a good harmonica brand and are actually the oldest harmonica company in the world. The Seydel Blues Session is responsive and airtight and will give you a great sound from day 1. This is obviously good news for those looking for harmonicas for beginners.
3. Suzuki Bluesmaster
The Suzuki Bluesmaster is comfortable to hold and play. It has a bright, clear tone and good projection. It will serve you well as a beginner and is a wonderful harmonica for blues.
4. Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica
The Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica is another excellent blues harmonica choice for beginners. It is known for having a bright and clear sound. Lee Oskars are particularly convenient for reedplate replacements.
Note! Lee Oskar harps are known to struggle with overblows, however you are unlikely to use this technique as a beginner.
Features to Look for in a Harmonica for Beginners
You'll sound great with any of the harmonicas listed above, but if you want to explore further then I recommend you consider the following:
Key: The most common starter key for learning blues harmonica is C. This is the best place to start because most lessons will use this key of harp. In the future you might consider investing in other keys like A, D, and G.
Quality: A high-quality harmonica will be made with durable materials and have a responsive design making it easier to play.
Price: Harmonicas can range in price from around $20 to $200. It is important to find one that fits your budget, but don't sacrifice quality for price. A mid-price harmonica will provide everything a beginner needs and more.
What is a Diatonic Harmonica?
All of the harmonicas recommended in this guide are “diatonic”. This refers to a harp that is tuned to the diatonic scale - hence the name. They do NOT have a button on the side, meaning they have "missing notes". Howver, this isn't a bad thing for the blues - it is actually part of the reason diatonic harmonicas sound so great in blues because it allows you to bend and get really soulful, bluesy sounds with the notes it does contain.
Chromatic harmonicas are generally bigger and have a button on the end. These harmonicas contain all tones, but won't bend in the same way so are not used in blues very often. You'll hear them more often in jazz and classical music.
Which is the Best Harmonica?
Some harmonica forums are full of enthusiastic debates over the tonal qualities of different makes and models of harmonica. However, as a beginner you don't need to worry about any of that for now. Basically, if you stick with a mid-price harmonica from Hohner, Seydel, Suzuki or Lee Oskar then you'll be fine.
Everyone naturally wants the best blues harmonica but as with any instrument, the sound will be as much down to the player as the instrument itself (as long as you're not playing a terribly cheap instrument).
If you're tempted to spend a fortune on a handcrafted, unique harmonica from a custom harmonica builder, that's up to you - but remember this... The ONLY thing that will make you sound great on the harmonica is playing!
🚨 Want to learn blues harmonica?
At bluesharmonicalessons.com we are committed to providing high quality online harmonica lessons. Click here to see the blues harmonica courses we offer!
I hope this guide has helped you to understand more about harmonicas for beginners, specifically harmonica for blues. Experiment and see which is the best harmonica for you.
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