3 comments about Hohner Special 20 Harmonica, Key of C.

1. My young granddaughter played HER harmonica over the phone to me so I bought one also. What I bought and received was better than I expected. As a child, I had played the "mouth organ" but the Hohner I purchased from Amazon isn't a toy, it's a bona fide musical instrument. The pitch is true, the mouth surface comfortable, and carrying case is a bonus. My granddaughter thinks her grandfather is a star!



2. I've always had an interest in performing music but I didn't know if I had the commitment to become skilled. This harmonica is the first musical instrument I played seriously and since then I've also purchased a guitar/amp and a keyboard and studied music theory. This harmonica is a great value and performs like a charm, but to me it's been more than fancy wistle, it's turned my interest in music to a near obsession.
   
   Like all Hohner's, this harmonica comes in a plastic carying case of high quality. Made in Germany, quality fit and finish is assured. This Hohner is one of the most popular models becuase of advantages it has over others. They need to be mentioned, and are below.
   
   The Special 20 has a plastic comb, many have wood. While playing the harmonica, moister will naturally build up in the instrument. The plastic comb never absorbs the moister, wood combs do (However, when your done playing you should still get the moister out by slapping the harmonica against your hand to prevent clogging of the reeds).
   
   Also, this Hohner is playable right out of the box, many require a breaking in period. On many harmonica's you should not abuse them when you first open it up. Becuase of the material used, the Special 20 doesn't need to be babied as much for the first few days.
   
   Another advantage of the plastic and metal construction is that if you do clog the reeds (by forgetting to get the moister out) you can wash the harmonica out with water. While caution should be used to make sure no moister remains, this process is not smart to try on a harp that uses wood.
   
   The Special 20 is a great harmonica for a cheap price. It's durable, confortable, and easy to play. However, a harmonica is more than a noise maker. When I purchased my first Special 20, I got the chance to test how much I was into music for only $25. The harmonica is the easiest instrument to learn and play, all you do is inhale and exhale. It's the ideal first instrument becuase of the simplicity. Because of this, you'll be playing songs very quickly. Just find some harmonica tabs on the internet, if that's your thing.
   
   If you're thinking about getting into music but don't want to spend hundreds on a guitar and amp quite yet, pick up a harmonica. If you end up digging the harmonica, you'll know it's time to invest in more serious instruments. If not, you only spent $25 instead of $200 on a guitar/amp. I waited too long to get into music, you shouldn't do that. You'll only end up wishing you had started earlier.



3. I am really glad I purchased this Hohner Special harmonica. It has a great sound and responds easily. My old harmonica was just that -- Old, not all the notes were clear, etc. So I needed a replacement. Now that I have this C harmonica, I am ready to order some more keys: G, D, F, etc. What a fun and easy instrument to play!!
   Tim

5 comments about Signature Music 2810N Closed 16-hole Flute.

1. I ordered a flute on August 31, 2007. So I called on September 10, 2007. The day it was supposed to arrive. I called and was told it was on back order,but the owner says he could overnight it to me if I agreed to split the cost of overnighting it. I was told that he contacted Amazon about the the backorder. Amazon had no record of it. I feel I was misled and was asked to pay more to cover his mistake. Thank you Amazon for your help in resolving this matter.



2. I've owned this flute for over a year, now, and have been constantly impressed with its tone, workmanship, and appearance. The cork stops tend to come off a little too easily, but replacement cork bits are included. This is an excellent starter or practice instrument, particularly for its price. Highly recommended.



3. No problems what so ever. It come with a cute little case. Very affordable. Later on I plan on getting a more advanced model, but for now I am very satisfied with this one.



4. I purchased this after returning a flute I bought on another website for a much higher price. That one was of poor quality so I was not certain what I was getting here. Let me tell you the quality and workmanship are awesome and you can't beat the price. I am totally happy with my choice and if you have any doubts, forget them as this is the one to purchase especially for a beginner.



5. I bought this flute for my sister, she liked it very much, so did her instructor. The price is good too.

2 comments about GP55 Child Size Junior Drum Set with Seat, Sticks & Cymbals - Black.

1. I wondered what type of quality I would be getting for this low price.
   I was extremely surprised at the sound and quality of the set.
   My son is really pleased that after assembly, he could start practicing right away and not have the set sound tinny and cheap.
   5 star recommendation!



2. My 4-year-old nephew requested a drum set for Christmas and I didn't want to buy him something that "just made noise" but a musical instrument that could grow with him. I hesitated before spending this amount of money on an instrument that he might not want to learn, but when I passed up the opportunity to get it for Christmas and he seemed disappointed I decided to purchase it for his birthday. When we unpacked the instrument we truly began to realize what a terrific value this drum set is for the amount of money that we paid for it. We received 5 drums, 2 cymbals, a stool, and drumsticks - the set was beautiful and clearly good quality. The birthday guests were all very impressed by the professional look - a family member with professional experience in music "confirmed" that this is indeed a quality musical instrument rather than just a good looking toy. It was good that we had this family member around - the drums needed to be tuned and positioned correctly and we, as non-drummers, were fairly off in our set-up. However, the seller had provided us with clear instructions and offers of assistance that made us right enough that our nephew never would have known our errors in any case. Most importantly, our nephew was clearly thrilled with the gift - he played the rest of the afternoon only stopping long enough to let his younger brother take a very brief nap. When he heard his brother wake up, he RAN back to the drums to play again. He says that he is a rock star now and I'm not sure if he sounds like one, but he sure does look like one with his awesome drum set!

4 comments about Lee Oskar Harmonica Holder.

1. As a guitar and harmonica player who plays out in small clubs it is very hard to find a quality harmonica holder that perfectly holds 10 hole harmonicas .When your specialty is Bob Dylan Neal Young and Donavan covers you have to have a dependable holder that does not slip.This product is perfect for that type of music.I bought two so that I could have one set up in G and the other set up in D to cut down on set up time.



2. I have tried EVERY type/brand of harmonica holder for the last 8 or 10 years and FINALLY found one that works great and doesn't look like some type of orthopedic device.
   I will caution anyone using this harp holder to be careful when adjusting it not to bend the flat stamped spots that keep the springs in place. I managed to break one that way but was still able to finish the show in spite it being broken because it's made so well.
   www.dalemarsh.com



3. Highly recommended. This is the best harmonica holder for the money. Many others use this brand.



4. I am very satisfied with this product. It arrived on time and exactly as expected.

4 comments about First Act Discovery FG404 Soprano Ukulele.

1. This is a good cheap ukulele. Its not a toy. First Act is a quality guitar maker in Boston and they also make alot of other beginner (Discovery) instruments for kids. This ukulele might sound better with better strings but for 25 bucks it's okay right out of the box.
   
   I bought this ukulele for my kid with a Ralph Shaw DVD and a KORG chromatic tuner now we are good to go for under $80.
   
   I liked it so much I got another First Act Discovery uke for myself. Now all we have to do is watch the DVD and practice.



2. I bought this ukulele for my daughter to learn on and to take on campouts. It gets a lot of use. It sounds great and it holds up well. I also have an Oscar Schmidt ukulele, but the First Act gets more use. Because it is so inexpensive, we take it with us on the go and pass it to whoever wants to try it without having to worry about damaging it.
   
   The only down side that I can find, compared with a more expensive ukulele, is that it only has 13 frets and some of the more expensive uku's, like my Oscar Schmidt, have 18 frets and more. Also, the bridge is made of plastic and not wood. But this would only matter if you were a more experienced player.
   
   I would highly recommend this ukulele to someone who is first learning or someone who just wants a good deal.



3. This is a good ukulele, although the strings don't look very good upon arrival but they still work great. This product is especially good with free supersaving shipping! Fun product, not a toy (although looks like it a little bit) and sounds great!



4. I bought this for my 6-yr old daughter in hopes that she will give it a serious shot. That aside, it is just what I expected. It sounds very nice, keeps in tune, and should be the perfect starter instrument for my budding young musician.

5 comments about Remo Kids 10” Floor Tom Drum with Mallet– REMKD508001.

1. I purchased this drum for my Kindermusik classes, and it is a hit. It has a nice full sound that fills the room, and we generally just use our hands. The children are fascinated by all the animals on the sides. Just a great first instrument.



2. My husband bought this for our 2 year old and she loves it, makes a wonderful sound that's not irritating, it's actually very nice to listen to. Only problem is that our daughter uses it on occasion as a step stool or a seat, which it's definitely not meant for, so watch the little ones!



3. Oh what a mistake...I have a toddler and a preschooler and thought it would be neat to buy this Tom Tom plus a pair of Bongo drums. Forget it! They fought over this one because of the mallots and the deep sound. Now I have to order another one!! The poor Bongo drums lie silently nearby.
   
   This is definitely a high quality, durable drum with a great sound. What a nice gift if a kid's parents like banging! Seriously, there's something about the bounceback feel of the mallots and the reverberation that feels so primal and soothing. That and watching my kids' intent faces and little arms waving. It makes for great video. :)



4. I bought this drum based on the positive reviews, and I was still surprised at the quality. The sound is terrific. It is an authentic and sturdy drum. You might need to be careful with the kids. My 5-year old stepson stood on top of it, and it didn't break. He was instructed to never do that again, but he probably will! It's a big hit with all our friends, both little and big.



5. I got this drum for my son's 4th birthday. He was excited to get it. I don't mind the sound at all. It is not a loud annoying sound like some cheap toys are. We also had the large lollipop Remo drum already, which we all enjoy. I also have a 18 month old. There is a mallet for each of them and they both play on it at the same time. But, I put the mallets up when not in use because these mallets are wrapped and tied. Lollipop mallet is not wrapped. I highly recommend both drums. The large lollipop has a lower pitch than the floor tom. My husband and I also find it hard to resist playing on them. We plan to add to our collection of Remo kids drums. Also, it is great that they are made in the USA.

5 comments about Hohner 81 Pocket Pal Diatonic Harmonica.

1. I'm just a novice, but it works just like it is supposed to, it is solid and enjoy playing it.
   I have gotten more than my money's worth already.



2. Christmas gift for my 3 yr old grandson....he had requested one of his own. You should have seen his face when he opened it! Priceless!!!!



3. Gift for my 2-year old grandson. He's so cute. He really gets into it.



4. Great instrument for the price. Its far better than any other harp in its price range. I am pleasantly surprised, and very happy with the product. It allows me to try out stuff safely without risking my rpicier harps...and its really durable....great product.... would highly recommend to beginners.



5. Ahhh...the Hohner Pocket Pal. My first harmonica. For $6, this little guy turned out to be well worth it. I was expecting a terrible sound and design coupled with cheap plastic reeds and a cheaper plastic body. This harmonica exceeded expectations and, as it turns out, sounds pretty good. The design is good; it's a combination of a plastic body with metal overlays. The reeds are actually pretty darn good for $6, at least for 4 months or so.
   
   I would recommend this as a gift for kids or as a neat way to while away time on the front porch. However, if you are considering learning how to play harmonica and get good at it, hit the back button on your browser and type in Lee Oskar C Diatonic. That right there is a true instrument for a budding harp player at a ridiculously amazing price.
   
   Overall, this was a neat little harmonica that gave me months of enjoyment. I ended up going on to bigger and better things (the Lee Oskar), but as a kid's gift or toy this does the job with little damage to mom and dad's pocketbook.

5 comments about Hohner Piedmont Blues Harmonica Set.

1. Good sound and low cost but the smell and taste still strong after a month airing out on the counter. I hope the plastic smell will fade soon.
   
   I have a cheap HOHNER "POCKET PAL" and it's great a 5 STAR value for a beginner or casual user.



2. This is the kind of set you buy along with a cheap 3/4 scale acoustic guitar to toss in your truck when you're going tailgating/camping and just want to have some fun without worrying too much if something gets lost or broken along the way.
   
   First off, the case itself is worth the money this set costs. Holds seven harps securely, with a pretty solid exterior.
   
   Now to the harps. I've been playing blues harp for quite a few years now. Are these as good as my Special 20's? Of course not. But they are certainly playable.
   
   Every harp in my set worked. I can bend the holes on all the harps - even the high blow notes (except on the highest keys, but that's with most harps). My guess with people who can't bend notes on these is that their technique is less than perfect. This wouldn't be a great set to learn how to bend notes on, but if you already know how to do it well, they'll bend ok for you.
   
   Yes, they are airy. Not so much as to make them unplayable though. They still give a decent sound. I'm not saying I would play one on stage, but they give a decent sound. Best I can tell Hohner took some of their standard reedplates and stuck plastic cases on them (Golden Melody I've heard, but can't be sure).
   
   I honestly can't recommend these for someone seriously trying to learn to play, but it would be great for your kid to see if he sticks with it for more than a couple weeks. For serious learning, you're better off with one good harp than a set of subpar ones.
   
   But just for fun, and a toss around set, these can't be beat.
   
   Edit: as far as using the case for other harps, my Special 20's fit in perfectly, so I'm not sure which harmonicas the other reviewers had that would not fit.



3. This is a great starter set for the new harmonica player. These are not the best harps out there, but you have a great range of keys to choose from. After you learn the basics on these harps and want to continue playing, buy a GOOD harmonica and playing will get much easier. The case is a great bonus!



4. I bought these probably about two years after I started playing harmonica just to try them out and I wish I would have bought them sooner. They feel good and sound good for a plastic harp. The reeds are a little weak, but I haven't busted one yet. I think the bendability of this set is great, almost effortless. If you are trying to make solid music of course you'll need a metal set, but if you are just starting out I think this is a great place to do it.



5. The case is nice but the harps are cheap. I was told they are the best. not true in my case they are not that good. They have failed, plus they have a very nasty smell and taste to them that I dont like so I say pay more for a better harp you will be happy that you did, Thanks From Mad Matt Blues

5 comments about Hohner 560/20 Special 20 Marine Band Harmonica, Key of C.

1. I received my order promptly. The harmonica was just as good as that instrument has always been. I would highly recommend the product and the seller.



2. This is a nice harmonica in a convenient hard case. It's a good size (like the old Marine Band), it plays easily, and has a good tone. Only problem is a couple of notes keep sticking and won't play. I wedged them open but they stuck again. Oh well, it's still nice.



3. I love this harp. I started out using a "Hohner Big River Harp". That was very nice and I used it to teach me the harp. Then I got a "Lee Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harp" witch was very nice but I didn't like the feel of it as much as the Hohners. I think they both sound the same and play the same so I went with the feel. I then moved to the "Hohner Piedmont Blues Harp Pack with Case". Love the case ! The Piedmont harps are nice but not as well made as the special 20's so as I get more of the Special 20's I am replacing the blues harps and using the blues harps as backups. As you can see I moved up to the Special 20's after the Piedmont Blues harps and I love them ! It seems like I don't have to blow or draw as hard as I do with the Big River harp or the Blues harp. Also, the metal on the Special 20 feels much better on my lips and makes it so I can play much longer than I could with the Blues harp. It is all the little things that makes the Special 20 fun to use and is what is going to keep me coming back and purchasing more Hohner stuff. I hope this review helps someone out in there purchase.



4. Bought the Hohner Diatonic in C for my wife after she got laid-up with a broken ankle. She loves it. I also bought a Lee Oskar Diatonic in C for myself. They both are quality harmonicas and sound great. Bought them from 'The Instrument Store'. No problems except, my wife now also uses the harmonica to call me when I'm out of vocal range...



5. ...and wonderful sound! It's my first, so I have no point of reference, but it sounded really smooth and great the first time I played it. Now I just have to learn how to really play it.

5 comments about Lee Oskar 1910 Diatonic Harmonica Key Of C.

1. i upgraded from a real cheap harp and this was well worth it. i bought it based on reviews i read and im glad i did. im not an expert but it just sounds cleaner, and its also easier to bend. i have a feeling im gonna be using this for a very long time.



2. I'm the kind of person who gets on Amazon and does research on a product before I buy it. I read reviews, learn all the nitty-gritty details, and consider the price. That's why, after a week or so, I opted for this harmonica over several Hohners and cheaper models. The reviews are almost all positive, and Lee Oskar is a name I can trust in the harmonica business.
   
   This Lee Oskar Harmonica is an absolutely beautiful instrument. The sound of the reeds is warm and strong, and the overall construction of the piece itself is simply great.
   
   Who is this harmonica for? Everyone. Even if you're just beginning, don't think you have to start out on a $3 harmonica from Wal-Mart. Get something nice in a key you feel comfortable with, which is most likely C if you're just starting out, and you'll be much better off. You'll sound better and won't get frustrated like you would when your $3 harmonica's reeds give out after nine minutes. Don't be put off by the price; you get what you pay for. $22 or so for a fantastic diatonic harmonica with a nifty case is worth it. Even if you are a professional or amateur player, you can appreciate Lee Oskar's harps since he is an authority on the subject.
   
   The bottom line is that this harmonica exceeded every one of my expectations and is an absolute joy to play and to hear played. It's a beautiful instrument that is well worth the money, and it will surely delight any player for years to come.



3. I was very excited to purchase my first "real" harmonica, after learning on a $7 hohner and playing on an older (now extinct) brand. The Lee Oskar was very highly rated. However, when I got it, I was slightly dissapointed. It was very solidly built and very airtight. However, after about two weeks of playing, which usually breaks in any of the others, it still resembles the sound and quality of a Hohner Bluesband, which a friend got me for christmas. It bends well (not seen in the bluesband), and is again very durable, abiet heavier and somewhat larger. I think my next course of action would be to comapre it to the Hohner Special 20 and see if their is a difference, or if I am expecting too much.



4. I just got my harmonica today so I'm not that great, but this is a terrific harmonica. Not only is the sound quality great but it's also easy to bend notes, even for a guy with a smoker's voice like me. I am very pleased with this harmonica and I will buy Lee Oskar in the future



5. Very simple instrument with very limited note capability. Recommend those interested in playing the harmonica buy an instrument with more note playing capability.