The Hohner Blues Harp

   Mathias Hohner started making harmonicas in his kitchen in Trossingen, Germany. Amazingly, Hohner harmonicas are still made at a factory in Trossingen, Germany after all these years. I don’t think there’s any question that the Hohner Harmonica has had a profound influence on American music. The harmonica is one of the easiest and most fun instruments I have ever learned how to play. I play the awesome Hohner Blues Harp harmonica.

   I became aware of how cool the harmonica was listening to John Lennon play it on early Beatles recording. Bob Dylan also used the harmonica to great effect. Other great rockers that play harmonica are Roger Daltry, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Ozzy Osbourne and Mick Jagger. I’m not saying that they’re great harp players, but they play. It’s an easy instrument to learn, but like all instruments it can be hard to master.

   What really turned me on to the harmonica is the old blues recordings specifically by Marion “Little Walter” Jacobs. To hear a gifted blues player play inspired blues on a harmonica is truly a great experience. To hear a learn a little bit about Little Walter check out his Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame induction video.

   So naturally with the instument being so inexpensive to buy I wanted to learn to play the harmonica. So I picked up a Hohner Marine Band harmonica. I liked it, I learned to play some songs but I couldn’t play the blues on it. I couldn’t bend notes on it like I wanted to. So I asked around and found out about the excellent Hohner Blues Harp. Finally, I had an instrument that I could play harmonica blues on. The Blues Harp is so easy to bend notes on that it almost bends itself. The tone is classic and the harmonica is a very easy instrument to learn to play. I practice the harmonica by playing along with I-IV-V chord progressions and it’s always a lot of fun.

   One last bit of trivia for you, even President Abraham Lincoln played the harmonica. He used to carry a harmonica around in his pocket and would often whip it out and play a tune or a jig. I like to say I play like Honest Abe.

   Today I’m recommending to all you aspiring harp plays, the Hohner 532/20 Blues Harp. I’ve also put some links to some books that will have you playing blues harp in no time.

Hohner 532 Blues Harp MS-Series Harmonica E The Hohner 532 Blues Harp Harmonica helps you dig in deep and experience the raw power and grit of the blues. The Blues Harp is engineered for consistent volume and tone that’s ideal for intense blues playing. The Hohner Blues Harp can hang with the toughest harmonica players on their most serious gigs. The Blues Harp is highly bendable and has a dirty, dark, hard rockin’ sound. One of Hohner’s classic models, the 532 Blues Harp is emphasizes the best qualities of blues harmonica playing. Hohner builds the Blues Harp with a wood comb and thin reeds, allowing for easier note bending. Musicians like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Lil’ Ronnie Owens of the Grand Dukes have favored the Hohner Blues Harp for its power and bluesy tone. Choose your desired key! About MS-Series harmonicas: The acronym ‘MS’ stands for Modular System, an integrated concept of Hohner’s harmonica designs. MS-series harmonicas benefit from innovations that improve their playing characteristics and also significantly facilitate maintenance and handling. All MS-series parts (combs, reed plates, and covers) can be combined individually. Simple screw connections allow for easy assembly. This benefit offers players the possibility to adjust the instruments to their individual requirements. For example, some players prefer the body of one model and the cover plates of another, and so a “custom hybrid” is possible for the discerning player. Replacement reeds are available (see item: RP565 MS Replacement Reed Plates). About Hohner: Hohner is a family company founded in 1857 in Trossingen, Germany by Matthias Hohner. Hand-made quality and close attention to detail has set Hohner apart from the beginning. A top leading brand in harmonicas, Hohner harps are distributed worldwide. Hohner harmonicas are played on the street by buskers, in intimate nightclubs, on festival stages, and even in Carnegie Hall. Despite a diverse harmonica line used in music from country to classical genres, the most famous Hohner harmonicas are their simple, 10-hole diatonics used frequently by blues, rock, country, and folk musicians.

Music Sales Rock N’ Blues Harmonica (Book/CD)One of the most complete harmonica books ever. Learn to play the harmonica with the Rock n’ Blues harmonica book that uses notation and tab to teach music theory 101, chord progressions, puckering, tongue blocking, octaves, tongue-slaps, head shakes, vibrato, bends, over blows, secrets of great tone, and much more.

Hal Leonard Instant Harmonica Book


Music Sales Bending the Blues Harmonica Book


Mel Bay Blues Harmonica Method, Level 1 Book and CD