Harmonica Basics - Choosing Your First Harp Part II - Size Matters & Pass The Mouthwash, Please

Here's a list of a few things that you're probably going to be concerned with prior to your first purchase. Some are worthy of your concern and others are just time wasters that will introduce frustration and second-guessing into an already semi-mysterious process.

1. Size - Most 10 hole diatonics that I've seen are roughly the same size. That isn't to imply that a 1/8 of an inch here or there won't drastically affect your connection to the harp. You need the harp to fit in your hands and mouth comfortably. My recommendation is to go to your local music shop and get a feeling for the relative sizes of the various harps. Remember, you can hold them but not mouth them! If you find one that you like and you live in a state where the sales tax is about the equivalent to shipping charges you might as well buy on the spot.

If you're in California (I paid $31 for a Spec 20 at Guitar Center that I could have gotten for $22, with shipping, online), New York or any state with confiscatory sales tax rates, proceed to the online store of your choice. Most online stores have customer reviews, many of which contain valuable information on the specifics of all of the harmonicas that should be considered by a beginner. Utilize this resource. In my very limited experience I've found that Lee Oskar Majors are a little bigger than Hohner Special 20s and Hohner Big Rivers and Hering Vintage Harps are bigger and taller/thicker than both. The Hering has another drawback which leads me nicely into the next item on our list.

2. Flavor - Yeah, I know this sounds silly and if you stick with plastic comb harps it's not going to be an issue. If, on the other hand, you like the sound of a wood combed harp, I hope you also like the taste of the wood. Marine Bands taste like pearwood. But Mike, pearwood offends my delicate palette! I'm sure, with enough research or the services of a harpsmith you can get a wood comb with just the right qualities to satisfy your needs. I've heard that hickory and birch are to die for.

Lastly, BEWARE THE SEALED WOOD COMB! Case in point: The Hering Vintage 1923 Harp has a sealed wood comb and faux antique gold cover plates. This is a great, rich, deep and crunchy sounding instrument that tastes like a mouthful of brass washed down with a shot of varnish. Until they start sealing combs with maple syrup I'll stick with plastic.

Next: Sound Quality & Durability