Harmonicas!

Evil Multifarious

I have a couple. I don't know how to figure out which key they're in, though. Also one of them is old and I kinda want to clean it because i don't want to breathe in dust all the time - what's the best way to clean one?

As for playing it, they're fairly easy to learn, but does anyone have any tips to speed me along? My one man bluegrass band will not be complete without some decent harmonica.

The_Glad_Hatter

Unless it has a wooden centre you can pretty much clean it by dunking it under water for some time. I'm told taking it apart and putting it back together isn't that hard either (since they only have 2 screws)

Use a tuner to see what the first note is (if it's still in tune; pretty likely)

SageinaRage

I'm pretty sure that dunking it in water is NOT good for a harmonica, considering that you're supposed to clean out the moisture from the inside religiously. If you can take it apart, just open it up, wipe everything down with a semi-damp cloth, dry it off, and put it back together.

Honestly, if they're that old, you'd probably be better off just buying a new one, the reeds don't last forever. They're like 20 bucks for a good quality diatonic. Pick up one in the key of c, and a beginner guide book.

Zonkytonkman

there is an excellent harmonica website that i used to be a member of

goddamnit

they had recordings you could play along with and everything