Harmonica Resources for Beginners

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Harp-L Harp-L is an Internet mail list whose subscribers include many of the world's best harmonica players in every style. The site provides access to a list of harmonica related current events and resources on the Internet. Also includes a Frequently Asked Questions list, plus online archives that contain answers to many beginners' questions. Answers to most other questions can usually be obtained by posting inquiries to Harp-L. SUBSCRIBE TO HARP-L!

Harmonica Beginner's "To Do" List A page by John Watts that provides plenty of useful advice for beginners. Down-to-earth, concise, hits a lot of the important stuff. Recommended. NOTE: as of October 1998 this site has recently been upgraded, and in my opinion is now one of the best harmonica resources on the Internet.

Michael Will/The Diatonic Harmonica Reference - an outstanding site full of dead-on harmonica info, including great links, instructional material, illustrations, etc.

Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH) SPAH provides a lot of resources for harmonica players, including links to pages for many leading players, links and addresses for harmonica resources such as manufacturers and technicians, and so on. A very important site for harmonica players.

International Harmonica Gig List A comprehensive listing of performances by harmonica players worldwide. Updated weekly, maintained by Danny Wilson

Harpin' On - Adam Pritchard's Blues Harmonica Home Page UK-based harmonica player and instructor. Site includes lessons, merchandise, plenty of info on a selection of excellent, mostly blues-oriented harmonica players, including samples. Well-laid out and informative, worth a visit.

Breathing Exercises Beginners often want to know how to get a big sound on the harmonica, and a big sound requires strong breathing. This page will tell you how to breathe for a big sound.

Pouring Rain Music: pages on Huang Harmonicas, Jon Gindick's Harmonica Instruction Catalog, artists and label promotion, publishing and distribution plus other blues and harp related links

Jack's Gospel Harmonica Page - informative site offering lots of harmonica-related info plus Christian philosophy. Note: we're not endorsing the philosophy per se, but it's a big part of the site, so we feel obliged to mention it. Harmonica-related information is in big supply at the site also.

Javier Argomedo's Beginner's Page A page full of very useful information for beginners on a wide variety of topics: instruments, recordings, links, etc. Nicely done.

Doc Doc's Place: MIDI Files Terrific collection of MIDI files, including drum tracks and patterns, blues, etc. Great for jamming along if you've got a General MIDI sequencer/synth (or even just a soundcard).

Guitar Amp Tone, Guitar Effects Placement, and Techniques for Tube Amps and Hybrid Guitar Amps A terrific site loaded with information about tube amps and their applications, including specific info on amps for harp. Recommended.

The following stores cater to harmonica players:
F & R Farrell Co.
Coast to Coast Music
Harp Depot
Joe's Virtual Music Shop
Kevin's Harps
All of these stores offer good prices on a wide range of harmonicas and recordings. Farrell's offers lots of special deals on chromatic harmonicas by various manufacturers. Kevin's Harps offers a comprehensive selection of harmonica recordings, including lots of small-label and otherwise hard to find stuff.