Special20
I am a new aspiring player who has a special20, all of these lessons seem to be directed to a different instrument. Why would my. Complimentary lessons be for an instrument I don't have?
bbake: What key is your Special 20? Mark Ford swears by Special 20s (see https://www.bluesharmonica.com/mark_ford_0), as do a number of other great blues harpists. Is it in C? Be sure to watch the "Watch Me First" video on the Home Page here first. Then check out the beginner's C harp lesson at https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/c_harmonica_intro_lesson. If you're just starting out, that lesson should keep you busy for more than the first free month. Along the way you'll learn why harmonicas come in different keys, and as you progress, and if you decide that blues harmonica is for you, you'll probably want to pick up an A harmonica (of any good model - if you like the Special 20, get an A Special 20), and then other keys. Welcome to the wonderful world of blues harmonica, where there's something new to learn every day!
Thanks I am trying to play along and it just sounds so different being off key I don't think I am getting a good ear.
Thank you for the response, I watched the video but must have missed the C link as that's what I have. I was able to sit and talk with Curtis Salgoto (sp) years ago and he said if I wanted to learn to play start with a Horner C.
You can't go wrong with Curtis Salgado. Glad you got to meet him. Check out David's interview with him at https://www.bluesharmonica.com/curtis_salgado . There are a lot of great blues numbers for which a C harp is used. E.g., David's recent Paul Butterfield study is in G, so uses a C harp in 2nd position. Even though you're just starting out, you might take a look at it just to get an idea of how the C sounds for this sort of thing. And as David tells new students, his beginner's lesson on C harp will challenge you for a while. If it's something that grabs you, and you decide to stick with it, your next harp will most likely be an A. Hope you have fun with all of it!
The Special 20 harmonica is fine to use here. Lots of people here use them. I’m assuming your confusion is with the key and not the harmonica. Since David specializes in teaching blues music, he starts users out with a harmonica in the key of A. However, since most people’s first harmonica is in the key of C, David has some level 1 lessons that are for the key of C. You can do all of the lessons in any key harmonica, but you won’t be able to play along with David or the music without sounding out of key. You will still learn all the techniques need for playing harmonica. If you are learning harmonica for your own enjoyment then there is nothing wrong with doing this, but if you want to play on a some-what-professional level you will need a collection of harmonicas for all the different keys you will likely play. The good news is just start with whatever you have and if you want to stick with it then buy whichever harmonica is needed for the level you are learning.
The important thing is, just get started. Learning harmonica or any instrument is a life long journey.