What Should Be Your First Harmonica?

The quick answer is: Hohner Special 20, Standard Tuning, Key of C ($45-$50)

Atlas Music (Empire Blvd) $47 - 2 in stock (also marine band and Golden Melody for same price)
Guitar Center - $50 (usually in stock)
House of Guitars - $47 - one in stock 🙄
Bernunzio - Out of Stock 🙄
Music & Arts (Pittsford Plaza) - $50 2 in stock
Rockin Rons - Harmonica specialists (good online service) $46 with free shipping.

This is the one to start with! See the end of this page for more suggestions and quick takes on different models.

Now, here is the long answer with some other suggestions....

Starting with a decent selection can save you much time and heartache as grow your abilities. I am going to give you specific recommendations to pick your first harmonica. We are going to narrow things down a bit by only looking at harps that we will be working with for this group, at least to begin with.

Which one is 'Just Right?'

So many to choose from!

If you are just starting off, picking your first "harp" can be tricky! It can be a bit bewildering for a number of reasons:

Harmonica prices range from about $3 to $300. You can't tell the difference between good quality and poor just by looking.
There are a wide number of styles, made by a dozen or more manufacturers. Many of these look quite similar.
Almost every style comes in many different keys.
Unlike other instruments, few people want a used harmonica (yuck!). There are some exceptions, but only for those who really know what they are looking for.
Finally, unlike many other instruments, you can't try before you buy a harmonica and it's unlikely you will find a place that will refund your purchase.

I am going to give you specific recommendations to pick your first harmonica. We are going to narrow things down a bit by only looking at harps that we will be working with for this group, at least to begin with. There are lots of harmonica reviews on YouTube, but many of these are sponsored so the reviewers have a personal interest in influencing your decision. If you are not familiar with the authority it's hard to know who to trust.

Picking a harmonica style and size and key

First we want to narrow things down a bit. We will be using a 10 hole 'diatonic' harmonica, standard size and standard (sometimes called Richter) tuned. These are the most popular type and size for blues harmonica traditionally.

Diatonic harmonicas are designed to create notes appropriate for a single musical key. We will be sticking to the key of C. While you can get diatonic harmonicas in any key, the C harmonica is the most popular for learning. On harmonicas, the key of C is right in the middle as far as pitch goes - not too low and not too high. Most beginner lessons are taught using a C harmonica.

You may also find harps available in different tunings like country, Paddy Richter and minor keys. To start with , stick to a plain C major standard tuning. Down the road you may want to experiment with other tunings which make some kinds of music easier to play with.

There are a lot of other kinds of harmonicas out there but the two other kinds you will see most often are chromatic and tremolo.

These are all 10 hole diatonic harps in standard tuning and size. From top to bottom: Hohner Golden Melody, Hohner Special 20, Seydel Blues Session, Hering 1923 Vintage (Brazil).

Other types of harps: Chromatic (top) and Tremolo models

Chromatic harps vary in number of holes and size, but all have a button on the side. This allows a player access to all the notes regardless of key.

Tremolo harmonicas are mostly used in specific styles of ethnic music particularly in Asia. They are technically diatonic - able to play a scale in a single key. Unlike a standard, there are 2 rows of holes, basically doubling up on each blow and draw note - this creates a wavering sound which is nice for playing melodies. You may want to try one sometime, but it is not recommended for beginners.

Brands , models and pricing - Picking a quality harmonica for your first instrument

I have to say, I love trying out new brands and models of harmonica. Now that Chinese manufacturers have cranked up their factories there are even more to choose from. For a beginner though, jumping from one harp to another can be hazardous for your learning curve. Sticking with a single harp for some time will allow you to develop technique that can later be transferred to other models. This makes it even more important to get a quality harp for your first instrument.

What makes a good beginner harp?

It should be very 'Airtight' - Most of your breath goes into making noise, not leaking out around tiny holes and edges. On the other hand, a completely airtight harmonica cannot be played at all! Precision manufacturing is needed to get that balance just right.
It should be in tune and stay in tune - Some models are known for having tuning issues. It should also stay in tune for a very long time allowing for the rough playing a beginner has to go through to cultivate good technique.
It should be responsive and have good tone - Some styles of music, particularly the ones we are focused on, require the 'bending' of notes. This also allows greater expression on the instrument regardless of the music style. A full rich tone can be acquired through practice, but some just sound better out of the box.
It should be designed and manufactured for comfort - lips are tender! Practicing for an hour with a harp that has rough or protruding edges around the holes do not make for a fun time!
It should not cost a fortune - Playing harmonica is not for everyone. You need an instrument that is good enough to learn on but won't break the bank if you decide it's not for you.

So, if you can't try a bunch of harps before you buy one how do you know it meets these criteria? You really have to depend on the experience of others and the reputation developed by a brand and model to have these characteristics consistently. This is the primary reason for the wide range of prices in the market: Brands and models that are more consistent command higher prices. Reputation is not a guarantee that you won't get a clunker, but it is a lot less likely.

Major Brands and Models

Hohner - one of the oldest manufacturers with many different models - most are made in Germany. Here are some good models to start with in order of price ...

Blues Band $10 - a very cheap model. It works, but I would only use it for fooling around and possibly tinkering with it. Usually only in key of C. Not recommended unless you lose your good harp!
Big River $34 - a mid-level harp, can be pretty good with some modifications. Good if you want to round out your collection with less used keys. (Atlas Music)
*** 560 Special 20 $45-$50 - This is the recommended harp for beginners. The design is very easy on the lips. Consistently meets all the criteria! See the top of this page for more price and availability
Golden Melody $50 - the curved design is nice to hold - has a bit brighter tuning than the Special 20. Good selection, but usually not quite as airtight as the Special 20
Marine Band $50 - This is the classic standard harp. It has a wood comb (middle piece) that gives it a good warm tone. A bit rougher on the lips and sometimes less airtight than the Special 20. (Atlas Music )
Rocket $60 - a new model designed to be loud! Haven't tried it personally, but all reviews are good.
Crossover $85 - Another I haven't tried yet but very well reviewed. I might buy one for performing, but quite pricey!
Thunderbird $140 - new model that has lower pitch and louder. Sounds great but more of a specialty item and pricey!

Lee Oskar $48- Developed by the harmonicist in the band War. Has been a popular standard for many years. Made in Japan. Good quality, easy on the lips, slightly different tone than the Hohners but meets all the criteria. Available in several special tunings also. Good alternative to the Special 20.

Seydel - Oldest(?) harmonica manufacturer in Germany. Mostly very high quality, and pricey, models.

Blues Session Standard $37 - I am just testing this now. Good harp, but not quite as good as a Special 20. Easy on the lips but not super airtight or responsive.
Session Steel $60 - Well regarded - uses steel reeds that stay in tune a really really long time! A good harp to keep around for years. May be a bit less responsive due to the stiffness of the steel.
1847 $90 - Seydels top standard harp. Very nice right out of the box. Steel reeds mean it will last a long time!

Suzuki - I have used several over the years - a bit harder to find. Good quality. I would probably use these for hard to find keys down the road.

Folkmaster $20 - Made in Japan , ok for the price. Not very airtight - not recommended for first harp!
Bluesmaster/Harpmaster $55 - Good quality 3rd alternative to the Special 20 and the Lee Oskar. You may find bargains in some music shops.
Manji $60 - Well regarded mid high end harp. A workhorse for giging musicians.
Promaster $80 - Very slick and shiny! I don't have but want one!

Good on a Budget

East top - a newer brand and very popular in China. Gaining popularity in US and EU for producing good low priced harps.

T008k/T008s $22-$27 - This might be a good, budget alternative to the Special 20 or Marine Band. Not quite as easy on the lips - has more of a Marine Band design. I am testing one out now and I would recommend this as budget-minded alternative for a first harp. Available through Amazon or Rockin Rons

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