Begginer with a G key harmonica.
Hello everyone, I just got a harmonica as a present and what a grateful surprise to discover I had a 30 days free lessons coming with it!
But when I started viewing the videos I noticed that David says that you just need an A key to go through the begginer lessons, and mine is G key. My father got me this present and neither him or me know a single thing about harmonicas, so it was an innocent error.
So, is is possible to learn and have a good example of how to play in my key in the website?
Sorry if this is not the correct section, as I said I am very much new to the website. And thanks for your answers!
Welcome! And no "error" in having a G harmonica. Works great for blues in the key of D, and as a lower pitch, also sounds good doing solo harmonica "chugging" stuff (which you'll learn about in Dave's solo harmonica lessons). But unless you have software to change the keys of Dave's audio samples, playing along on a G harp just won't work when he's playing an A. (Although you can listen to Dave, then play the notes yourself using the same blows and draws on the same numbered holes, just a whole tone lower in pitch. But unless you've had musical training on another instrument and understand keys, scales, transposition, etc., that's going to be a very tough way to learn.)
Don't know about your budget, but if you can do it, I suggest keeping the G for the cool stuff you'll be able to use it for, and invest in a good-quality A. Best values include Hohner Special 20; Lee Oskar major diatonic; and some of EastTop's models, all readily available from rockinronsmusicsd.com. And if you decide after a few months of lessons that harmonica just isn't for you, there are nonprofits who love harmonicas; sanitize donated ones; and use them for programs for children, the elderly; and lots of other folks who might not otherwise get to enjoy making music.
Enjoy Dave's lessons and tips, and get inspired by all the great folks he's interviewed over the years.
Ok, seems like the error was mine xD
Thank you for the answer, will keep that in mind.
Thank you very much ^^
The "Ask David" forum is better. But, here are my thoughts.
The G harmonica is the same as the A harmonica except everything will sound a little lower. So, if you play along with David's examples, your notes won't match his. Except for the pitch, the melody would sound the same. You could just try to work with your G harmonica and not worry too much about this difference in pitch. You play G and A harmonicas the same way.
Additionally, you could load the mp3 play-along files into software that would lower the pitch. Audacity is free and should work. You would want the pitch on the mp3 lowered by two semi-tones. With the pitch lowered, the mp3 files would match your G harmonica. I use Amazing Slow Downer for this purpose, but it isn't free.
There's no way to alter the videos (as far as I know).
If you stay with the site, you'll eventually want an A harmonica.