Playing the harmonica requires the use of one or both of your hands. But what if you wanted to play another instrument while also playing harmonica?
Well, I've had the chance to extensively test some of the best harmonica holders over the last two weeks.
If you manage to get the right neck holder for you based on my assessment of these units, you will be able to play your harmonica much more comfortably, while also freeing up your hands for guitar, bass, or whatever else you need.
Best Harmonica Neck Holders
1. Hohner FlexRack
Hohner makes some incredible harmonica holders. Their FlexRack might just be my favorite.
Hohner makes some incredible harmonica holders. Their FlexRack might just be my favorite.
This is a super comfortable harmonica neck holder. It is fairly lightweight, and the rubber neck padding makes it sit really nicely on your neck.
The FlexPack feels very solid and sturdy. It doesn’t feel like it is going to bend or break very easily.
It is also very adjustable. Apart from the knobs to adjust the position of the holder, you can also adjust the angle of your harmonica.
Swapping out harmonicas is also super easy. You just loosen the holder, slide out one harmonica and pop in another. It also fits any harmonica up to 6.5” wide.
I also like the rubber on the holder. I am always a bit worried about my harmonica getting scratched by the naked metal on other holders. This also made me a bit more comfortable tightening the holder more to prevent my harmonica from slipping.
The FlexPack also folds up really nicely. It doesn’t take up much space in a backpack. You could even put it in the same holder as your harmonica if it is big enough.
One potential issue for singers who also play guitar is that the harmonica holder is a bit too large. While it is incredibly sturdy and adjustable, the increased size of the wingnuts can be distracting for guitar players who constantly look at their fretwork.
Another minor oversight is that the rear holder can sometimes get tangled with thicker acoustic guitar straps, causing it to jam. Although this is a great harmonica holder, its weak spot is likely for singer/guitarists.
That being said, it is still of high quality. While it may be a bit expensive, I believe it is worth every penny.
2. Hohner HH01
The second Hohner harmonica holder on this list, the HH01 is a bit more basic than the FlexPack. But even though it is basic, it is still quite good.
Its design is quite solid. I didn’t notice much bend in the metal. It also sits quite nicely around your neck.
The thin metal of the neck brace is also covered. However, it is covered in plastic.
This isn’t as comfortable as rubber, but it is better than just exposed metal. It is fine enough and I quickly stop noticing it.
I also liked the fact that the springs aren’t too stiff. Swapping out harmonicas was fairly easy.
It also has two angled pieces of metal attached to the bottom. This is to prevent your harmonica from slipping out.
The holder is naked steel though, and the screws on the angled metal pieces are also exposed. Scratching is going to be a concern with this holder.
However, I don’t like the wingnuts used to adjust the positioning. They work fine, but I do feel like they are a bit small. The screw is also a bit too exposed.
All things considered though, for under $20, this is still a good harmonica holder.
3. Lee Oskar LO10HH
The Lee Oskar LO10HH is another fairly straightforward harmonica holder. But its straightforward design has some unique features.
The main unique feature is the holder itself. It is quite different from other harmonica holders.
The LO10HH features an L shape under bracket. That means that it is designed to have the harmonica rest on the bracket instead of being clamped by it.
The top bracket is also rounded. So, it also holds the harmonica in place against the L bracket instead of clamping down.
I really like this design. Your harmonica isn’t just held between two brackets, but rather rests between them. The metal can’t really scrape against your harmonica, so the risk of scratches is quite low.
The neck brace is also quite wide, with a curved top. The holder rests on a wider area of your neck and shoulders, spreading out the weight. This makes the holder feel lighter.
Because it covers a wider area, the holder is also a bit wider. It might not be as comfortable for people with narrower shoulders.
While the LO10HH is quite sturdy, I prefer harmonica holders with wider bracings. But I don’t think this holder is going to break very easily.
Here's another potential issue that has happened to me. I sometimes play the harmonica while playing keyboards in a blues band. I've used this holder, and it's fantastic unless you start sweating. Sometimes, under those bright, hot stage lights, I tend to sweat, as many musicians do, and my neck becomes extremely slippery.
I've had this holder slip several times because the metal just gets too slippery. So, if you have a high-energy set coming up and you might start sweating, beware of using this holder.
4. K&M 16416
The K&M 16416 is the perfect harmonica holder for blues players. Its straightforward, compact design means that it won’t get in your way while singing or playing another instrument.
The build quality is nice with the 16416 feeling very sturdy. The rubber on the neck brace does feel a bit on the cheaper side, but I feel it is still comfortable enough.
The holder is a bit limited in terms of harmonicas it can hold. It is only suitable for harmonicas with a width up to 4.25”. So, ideal for blues harmonica.
The spring tension is a bit too high for my liking. But putting in and taking out harmonicas was still easy enough.
This extra string tension does mean that your harmonica is held tightly. And since the 16416 has rubber on the brackets, it won’t scratch up your harmonica.
I did notice that the position would shift a little if I moved around too much. If you tend to rock out a bit harder, you might want to be careful.
Even when the position knobs were on their tightest, there was still a slight shift. The knobs are easily adjustable, so repositioning isn’t too much of a hassle.
Choosing the Right Harmonica Holder
When buying a harmonica holder, it is important to remember that not just any old one will do. Harmonica holders, while having a fairly standardized design, are still quite different from each other.
It is also essential to purchase a harmonica that is compatible with your type of set or studio session requirements. The harmonica is an incredibly expressive instrument, but it needs to be sturdy in order to deliver a perfect performance.
Having to reach for high or low notes can be detrimental to both the performer and the overall performance. One of my favorite harmonica players is Stevie Wonder, and I have noticed that whenever possible, he holds his harmonica in his hand during performances to quickly cover the full range.
However, I still prefer using a sturdy holder when I play because it frees up my hand. But I would say there are four important questions you should ask yourself:
- Will I use it during gigs?
- Will I be singing as well?
- Will I be playing multiple harmonicas?
- Will I be playing two handed instruments such as: Guitar, Keyboards, or Percussion?
These four questions will help you choose the right harmonica holder. But let us go over what they mean exactly.
Will I Use It During Gigs?
This should be the first thing you ask. If you just want a harmonica holder to practice with at home, almost any one will do.
You are probably going to be sitting fairly still, and just need a holder to keep your harmonica in front of you. But if you are going to use it during gigs, you are obviously going to be moving around.
In that case, you want a holder that is going to be very sturdy. You don’t want to have to readjust the position constantly while playing.
Will I Be Singing As Well?
If you sing and play harmonica, being able to easily switch between the two is going to be important. You want to be able to move the harmonica and your mouth between the mic as easily as possible.
That means getting a holder that is either small enough so that your harmonica is close to your mouth but not completely in front of it. Or getting a holder that allows you to easily move your harmonica away from your mouth.
Of course, it still has to stick to question one. It should only move when you move it and not on its own.
If you are playing guitar and singing with a thick guitar strap that goes around your neck, ensure that the back strap of the holder fits well. As mentioned in some reviews, it is possible for the holder to not grip properly with certain straps.
Will I Be Playing Multiple Harmonicas?
If you are playing different harmonicas through a gig, that obviously means that you are going to be switching between them. That means that you want to switch as easily and as quickly as possible.
So, you are going to need a holder that will allow you to do that. A holder like Hohner FlexRack which has knobs for adjusting the holder brackets is going to be your best option.
This allows you to quickly loosen your harmonic, put in another one, and tighten it again. Of course, holders that just use springs can also be easy to swap out if their spring tension isn’t too tight.
Tips for Playing Harmonica and Another Instrument Together
If you are buying a harmonica holder, that probably means that you want to play it along with another instrument. Just like singing and playing guitar for example, playing guitar and harmonica can be quite difficult.
Here are a few tips for learning how to improve your coordination.
Get Used to Moving Your Head
Normally, you would use your hands to move the harmonica while playing. But if you are playing another instrument, this won’t be possible.
You are going to have to move your head to hit the notes. So, sit just with the harmonica in the holder and get used to playing without using your hands. Once you are comfortable with that, start playing your second instrument as well.
Start Simple
This is just standard for any instrument. But start off by playing simple stuff. Even if you can play harmonica and guitar really well, you have to almost start from scratch when playing both together.
Practice
Finally, keep practicing. It could take anywhere from a few months to half a year to get comfortable enough playing both instruments at the same time. So, just keep practicing and don’t give up.
It's a wise idea to practice the material until you don't need to look down at your instrument too much. As a keyboard player, I sometimes find it difficult to have to look down and verify that I'm playing the right notes, especially if I'm also playing harmonica.
That's why I always practice the material with my eyes closed. Yes, really. It's the only way to develop muscle memory and play it effortlessly.
If you're a guitar player, there are moments when turning your head to view your frets can be challenging. I've even seen people accidentally knock the harmonica into the fretboard and create a loud noise while playing live. You definitely don't want that to happen to you!
Play Sitting Down
Whenever you have the option, try playing the harmonica while seated. The reason for this is that it gives you a better downward angle. Though the most popular instrument combinations with the harmonica are usually guitar, voice, and piano or keyboard, I sometimes play percussion instruments like bongos, djembes, and darbuka while playing the harmonica.
I find the Hohner holders to be better overall when playing percussion, but even with those, it's important to position your drums at a comfortable distance from you. It can become quite awkward if you have to move drums while playing the harmonica.
Playing while sitting down really helps with this.
Final Word
Throughout the years, I've completely stopped playing the handheld harmonica while performing live, and that's because of how amazing these holders really are. As a synth player, I even connect my harmonica to some really cool effects that I have on top of my keyboards, both in the studio and when I'm performing live.
One of my absolute favorite things to do is run the harmonica through the Eventide H9 pedal and into a Strymon Big Sky reverb. You can achieve some mind-blowing droney pad-like textures. I also have an iPhone and iPad app to control the H9 in real time.
And of course, to really experiment with the pedals, you need both hands free, which is why these holders are so essential! They open up so many more possibilities for your performance.
These are just a handful of some of the best harmonica holders available. I hope this article has given you a good starting point as well as some idea of what to look for when it comes to harmonica holders.
Thank you for the advice Dedrich. I have played my music for decades with my guitar and singing. My friend played the harmonica and I remember buying him one in the key of d minor so he could play on my songs; it was exciting and sounded great. I recorded those songs and years later I have now decided to play the harmonica as I play guitar and sing. So after reading your post I will be buying a Hohner Flex Rack. I can see that you are very accomplished. Thank you again.