Whether it's for your 10-year-old daughter or your teenage nephew, your sister or your uncle, a harmonica would bring a lot of smiling on their faces. Since there are several types of harmonicas, we will assume that the receiver of your gift has never played an instrument before, so we'll give you some tips on how to buy a diatonic harmonica for Christmas.
The key is very important
The diatonic harmonicas are available in various keys, so if you want to give the small instrument to someone else you should also buy the key thinking on whether that person would sing solo or accompanied by other musicians. If that person is a rookie, you should buy the key of D, which is easier than the key of C and which is usually chosen for practicing bending. Of course, the most common and most appreciated is the key of C, so you could also go for it. In addition, you should also think about the musical preferences of that person. If the individual who will receive your gift is passionate about Blues, Rock or Country music, you should buy the keys of F, D, A, C, G, E and Bb, but if he or she loves jazz, you should choose between the keys of Ab, Bb, Db, Eb and F#.
Pay attention to the manufacturing materials
Generally harmonicas are made of plastic, wood or metal, but each of these materials influences the performance and the sound. For example, a diatonic harmonica made of plastic won't sound as 'professional' as a harmonica made of metal, but it will definitely be fitting any average budget with its less expensive price tag. The metal harmonicas are heavier than those made of plastic, but their sound is more powerful and clearer, while a harmonica made of wood provides a warmer sound than the metal or plastic. The price of a wood harmonica is average, so you won't have to make a financial effort to buy one, but it's porous and less resistant in time. Analyze the pros and cons of the materials and take into consideration that a rookie may be motivated on the long term with a more expensive diatonic harmonica rather than with a cheap plastic one that may not feel too comfortable.
Choose the brand carefully
Hohner is the number one brand of diatonic harmonicas in the world, so it has the widest selection of models, especially in the United States. Of all, you should select the "Marine Band", which is a modular system, meaning that all its parts can be interchanged and replaced.
The key is very important
The diatonic harmonicas are available in various keys, so if you want to give the small instrument to someone else you should also buy the key thinking on whether that person would sing solo or accompanied by other musicians. If that person is a rookie, you should buy the key of D, which is easier than the key of C and which is usually chosen for practicing bending. Of course, the most common and most appreciated is the key of C, so you could also go for it. In addition, you should also think about the musical preferences of that person. If the individual who will receive your gift is passionate about Blues, Rock or Country music, you should buy the keys of F, D, A, C, G, E and Bb, but if he or she loves jazz, you should choose between the keys of Ab, Bb, Db, Eb and F#.
Pay attention to the manufacturing materials
Generally harmonicas are made of plastic, wood or metal, but each of these materials influences the performance and the sound. For example, a diatonic harmonica made of plastic won't sound as 'professional' as a harmonica made of metal, but it will definitely be fitting any average budget with its less expensive price tag. The metal harmonicas are heavier than those made of plastic, but their sound is more powerful and clearer, while a harmonica made of wood provides a warmer sound than the metal or plastic. The price of a wood harmonica is average, so you won't have to make a financial effort to buy one, but it's porous and less resistant in time. Analyze the pros and cons of the materials and take into consideration that a rookie may be motivated on the long term with a more expensive diatonic harmonica rather than with a cheap plastic one that may not feel too comfortable.
Choose the brand carefully
Hohner is the number one brand of diatonic harmonicas in the world, so it has the widest selection of models, especially in the United States. Of all, you should select the "Marine Band", which is a modular system, meaning that all its parts can be interchanged and replaced.
Post a Comment