Can I use the D Harmonica for lessons?
Hi David,
I bought a D harmonica because the music store clerk told me it's the most common. He then told me it comes with free lessons. I punched in the code for the free lessons, and the first lesson says to use the A harmonica. Why is the code for lessons on the D harmonica if we're supposed to use the A harmonica? In other words, can I follow through the lessons with the D harmonica, or will it not work? The 30-day lesson trial will expire before I get the chance to get a different instrument.
Thanks,
Kelly
Kelly: Hope David will forgive me for jumping in, but your question about why the free trial coupons are included with D harps (and every other key Hohner markets) has been a topic of discussion on this forum and elsewhere. Best guess is that Hohner's display boxes and the coupons are printed offsite by a contractor, then filled with the harmonicas (and plastic cases where applicable) by Hohner, in a later process in which Hohner applies the stickers showing what key harp is in the box. It would be significantly expensive to then remove the coupons from the boxes and somehow block out the promotion already printed on the display box with harps in keys other than the primary ones David starts folks on. Add to that: The 30-day coupon is a great promotion that might make the difference for a player who already has multiple keys of a different brand, including one or more A harps; needs to add something like a Db or an F#; sees the free trial offer and buys a Hohner rather than his or her "usual" brand because of the coupon; and shows up at bluesharmonica.com to start lessons on the other-brand A harp he or she already has. The whys and wherefores of different keys of diatonic harmonica can be a confusing mystery for beginners (and for musical instrument store personnel who aren't themselves harmonica players), but a ton of fun once you catch on. And you'll catch on fast with David's lessons and other offerings here. Enjoy!
Thank you for chiming in Rob. As you know, lessons are available for all skill level players, so all keys have the 30 day trial... the trial is not just for beginning players (I think the confusion is that the trial is assumed to be only for beginning players).
Hello Kelly, welcome to the site. The D Harmonica is a good key (one of the five most common keys used), but as you have found, not the key that I use for your studies early on. You can still learn on your D, just watch the instruction and then pause the video and try it on your own (you won't be able to play along with me). If you order an A Harmonica, just drop us a note when it arrives and we'll make sure you get a full 30 days on your trial.