beginner harp for irish/folk

A space for players interested in my specialist harmonicas, alternate tunings, instructional material, recordings etc to ask questions and share information, experiences, videos etc.
madden
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Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:38 am
Location: Union, Mo

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by madden » Sun Oct 21, 2018 5:48 am

Brendan
Working my way through your “play Irish music” lesson book and I’m sooo glad you wrote this book and I can’t tell you how Happy I am that you did not force your learner into playing “Mary had a little lamb” or “twinkle twinkle little star”! Countless times I have wanted to learn how to play music only to be disappointed and bored out of my mind with the beginning level tunes I was forced to play. Within 28 pages of your book I’m starting a song that I have heard you play countless times and love to listen to. Thank you.

Alan
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Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:17 pm

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by Alan » Wed Oct 24, 2018 2:09 am

Is this book available digitally?
Any plans to update it for the paddy richter Lucky 13?

madden
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Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:38 am
Location: Union, Mo

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by madden » Tue Oct 30, 2018 1:55 am

10 hole draw seems to be very hard for me to perform well at all, does anybody have a good technique or method to help. Some times I can make an obnoxious squeak and sometimes not much at all. I’m sure my harmonica is fine, I just need to learn how to cooperate with it.

Thank you

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Brendan
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Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by Brendan » Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:39 pm

Play 10 hole draw on a Richter harp with a very light breath. In fact all the upper-octave draws on Richter work best with a light breath. The tendency for many players is to suck hard on them as they do with the draws in holes 1-6, but that is counter-productive.

Alan: the tunes are available digitally, but the book is not.

madden
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Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:38 am
Location: Union, Mo

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by madden » Wed Nov 14, 2018 6:13 am

I never imagined I created so much spit! Another question from a new player,,,, how do I control or limit all the spit! If anyone has tips or techniques it would be greatly appreciated. Also, I believe I’m starting to have cleaning problems. What would be the proper cleaning method and frequency of cleaning for the Lucky 13PR.

Btw on a side note, have been working hard to learn and play an acceptable version of “Christmas in Killarney” to perform for my family on Christmas,,,, wish me luck!!!

Thanks for all the help
Ron

madden
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:38 am
Location: Union, Mo

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by madden » Thu Nov 15, 2018 4:50 am

It appears that maybe I have more than a cleaning problem. It actually looks as if my 6 blow reed may be “dead” somehow. I first noticed the note was getting breathy and felt heavy to blow then shortly became mostly silent. After disassembly there was no visible damage or appearance from other reeds and there is no dirt or debris although now the only sound the poor pitiful thing will make is a breathy little moan. When I flicked the read it made no sound as well, just no life compared to all the others. I’ve only owned this harmonica a few months but I do practice a lot. Is it possible the reed has already given out!! Any recommendations at this point, should I order all new or is this something that can be repaired by myself or a shop. Very sad, hard to practice around a missing 6 blow too LOL
Any help would be appreciated—-lucky 13 PR
Ron

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Brendan
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Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by Brendan » Sat Nov 17, 2018 6:43 am

Hard to say without examination if it's a blockage or a damaged reed. You could consult one of the Lucky 13 Recommended Customisers:

http://www.brendan-power.com/lucky13.ph ... dRepairers

They can fix any problems, including reed replacement.

madden
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Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:38 am
Location: Union, Mo

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by madden » Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:57 am

Thank you for replying and providing info. Bad news,,, the 6 blow reed is in fact broke, but the good news,,,, the gentleman you referred me to has put me into contact with someone who does have parts and is certified to fix my poor harp. However in the meantime I have purchased a sleydel in the paddy richter tuning after I stumbled across a video of you giving it a good endorsement. I hope u still have a positive impression. I have no complaints at this time other than I had gotten used to the extra length of the Lucky and now it feels quite a bit different obviously.

Thank you again
Ron

madden
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:38 am
Location: Union, Mo

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by madden » Thu Nov 29, 2018 3:10 am

I have nothing but good things to say about my lucky! I was upset when the reed stopped but it will be up and going again soon I hope. The sleydel session steel I’m using now is also very nice I think, just a big difference in feel since I started with the long 13 hole harp.

easycomeeasygo
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Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2019 3:26 am

Re: beginner harp for irish/folk

Post by easycomeeasygo » Mon Mar 11, 2019 3:37 am

I'm sure there's a lot of you guys in this thread play harmonica and have significant experience with it. I've tried it once and liked it SO much, now I consider buying one for myself. I've seen some beginners options and have learnt some basics from these articles:
https://wisepick.org/best-harmonica-for-beginners/
https://windplays.com/best-harmonicas/
My main questions are: what particular harmonica can you recommend buying to make my learning process smooth and what are the main points should I pay attention to?

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