Ok, I will preface this by saying I love music but am not very musically talented. I was considering trying to pick up the harmonica. A lot of the music I have been listening to lately has the harmonica in it so I guess I am wondering from anyone out there whether this instument is a lot harder than it looks to play or if it may even be worthwhile learning how to play it. Just thought it would be kind of a cool skill to have, although I would likely drive my wife crazy learning how to play. Also, where does a guy look to buy a harmonica?

Try the tambourine instead

You can buy one at any music store- guitar center, sam ash, etc. They come in all sorts of keys, E and G are the basic ones to get though. I use a harmonica (I refraing from using the term "play" because I don't, at least not very well) with the band sparingly, and it is harder than it looks. Granted, I am playing guitar the same time which makes it even harder, but how guys like Huey Lewis and John Popper play the harp like they do I'll never know.

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I saw Survivorman turn his harmonica into a spear tip. Just might want to keep that in mind when you go looking at harmonicas. "Could this be turned into a spear tip?".

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Thanks for the info Frank, after looking on the internet I realized there may be a bit more to it as far as keys etc... Just been listening to a lot of Dylan and Pearl Jam lately and thought it would be cool to try. Maybe less expensive than buying a guitar and figuring out you wouldn't be able to pull it off in this lifetime. Probably won't have the impact it would as a well played harmonica with a band but I am willing to at least give it a shot. I never could figure out how people could play the guitar like Dylan or Billy Joel playing the piano and the harp at the same time as well as sing. I will kick around the idea and see if I can find one.

Just go fucking buy one and tool around with it.
Yeah...you might suck (or blow) for a bit, but screw it....
have fun.

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@audioidkid

You arent the only one. I feel your [pain

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Farvefan, sounds like we are in the same boat. A guy who loves the jams but can only hope to chip in where you can. Great avatar now. Ever seen Dylan live? I saw him in Memphis at Memphis in May but was a bit hazy on the details of the whole thing. Saw Steve Miller, walked to another stage and saw Dylan and Kenny Wayne Shepherd and then waled to another to see the Wallflowers. Great music fest and best food on the planet. After that hit Beale and you are in heaven.

Doug... I think I will just take the plunge even though my wife is passing on the whole deal. Have you blown the harp at all?

Saw him a couple years back at the Sears Centre. Thats the only time.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

T-Bone, for inspiration check out Five Horse Johnson's Eric Oblander's harmonica work.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

i've played around with one from time to time. they're certainly fun and pretty easy to get the gist of.

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@audioidkid

I've found the cowbell to be an easy instrument to learn.

Playing the harp (well) is a lot harder than you would think, unfortunately. I learned this the hard way after going through a heavy John Mayall and Paul Butterfield phase and then spending money at Musician's Friend.

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