I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I’m learning to play the harmonica. But not just any harmonica will satisfy my need for purposeful weirdness. Oh no, only the most exceptional harmonica will work for me!

Announcing the Geeky, Musical Marriage of Convenience and Soul: FlashHarp®.

To quote the  inventor of the FlashHarp, the Jim McLean, it is “The only useful harmonica in the world”. That just makes me smile, and I am having a blast with my new FlashHarp.

About the FlashHarp

Each model of the FlashHarp includes:

• 2GB or 4GB flash memory that lets you store and tote around tons of digital stuff (capacity excludes formatting)
• Recycled hard plastic box to protect device while still providing access to USB
• Plastic cap for USB plug
• Completely functional 2.5 inch, 10-hole harmonica

Handmade in U.S.A. with high-quality parts from market-leading suppliers, FlashHarp makes a sweet gift for anybody young or old who really likes music—especially harmonica music.

Even if you never master making a lick of music, FlashHarp has a big advantage over a regular harmonica: It puts in your pocket something you can always use—namely, a stylin’ flash drive.

Dimensions (in inches) with USB cap on:
Out of plastic box: 3³⁄₁₆ x 7/8 x ¹¹⁄₁₆

In plastic box: 3½ x 1³⁄₁₆ x ¹⁵⁄₁₆

Buy a patented, playable FlashHarp today. There’s no substi”toot!”

Gizmodo calls the FlashHarp with preloaded video lesson, “4GBs of musical goodness.”

My Review

When Jim McLean, The Backyard Harmonica Teacher, contacted me to introduce the FlashHarp, I could hardly contain my excitement.  My oldest son and I had been talking not long before about learning to play the harmonica.  And the FlashHarp, not being your normal harmonica, would be a perfect addition to my ‘weirdness arsenal’ and collection of musical instruments (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer and now the FlashHarp).  I jumped at the chance to test it out and review it.

The FlashHarp arrived in timely fashion and was carefully (almost lovingly) packaged, nestled all snug in a specially fitted shipping box with recycled cardboard filling.  It was obvious from first glance that the FlashHarp is masterfully crafted, and that Jim takes great pains to deliver a quality product. The hard plastic box and USB cap fit nicely and protect the device while not adding a lot of bulk – so it’s still highly portable and easy to carry around.

I received the 2GB FlashHarp. Included on the flash drive was (is) an instructional video on playing the harmonica and a tab sheet (music) for ‘Oh Susanna’ – a classic harmonica song.  (My kiddos thought that when I plugged the FlashHarp into the USB port on my computer that the harmonica would start to play, like a player piano.  FYI – it doesn’t. lol)

The USB drive works like any other USB drive – plug it in, put stuff on it or take stuff off (drag and drop, or however you usually save or copy data to your USB drive), eject it, and away you go.

About 3 weeks ago at Ladies Bible Study, the opening question was, “What is something new that you’re doing in your life right now?”  Imagine their reactions when my answer was, “I’m learning to play the harmonica.”  It was a riot!  Then I showed them all my new FlashHarp.  They loved it!

Did I mention that I’m having a blast with my new FlashHarp?

I can almost play Jingle Bells – but you really don’t want to hear me trying it yet.  It’s a bit rough!  LOL!

But here is a quick video of Jim McLean, the inventor of the FlashHarp:

Jim is a really sweet guy, too, and another great example of why I like to work with the OpenSky Community of Suppliers and Sellers.  On my way back from picking up the FlashHarp at my Montana Shipping Outlet, a rock hit my windshield.  I ended up bringing back an unwanted souvenir, a large spiral crack in my windshield, in addition to the FlashHarp. After reading my blog post about the incident, Jim wrote me a really nice e-mail inquiring about how I was doing and empathizing with my unfortunate accident.  That’s the kind of people I LIKE to work with!

Good people and a good product.  You can hardly go wrong with that!

You know me and how I embrace the unique, so the FlashHarp totally fits in with my mode of operation.  It puts together 2 things most people would never even consider putting together, and the result is a fun and useful creation.

I enjoy the ‘conversation starter’ factor of the FlashHarp.  Whether you pull it out to use as a flash drive or to play as a harmonica, people can’t help but notice (and comment about) the unusual design.  No other harmonica has a USB connection sticking out of the end of them, and no other USB drive has a harmonica attached to it!

Why would someone consider buying the FlashHarp?  These days Flash Drives are pretty much a necessity for business people and students alike.  They provide an easy and fast way of transporting digital information.  Most flash drives are pretty plain.  The FlashHarp provides a fun and functional alternative to the everyday USB stick.  People really do enjoy having the choice to use something that’s fun and different – even weird!

I witnessed this first hand – BudBud, my oldest son, needed a USB stick to bring a powerpoint project back and forth to school (he’s 10 yrs old and in grade 4) – of the 3 flash drives we have in the house, he chose to take the FlashHarp !

There are 6 FlashHarp options to choose from:

• 2GB FlashHarp Harmonica USB Flash Drive
• 2GB FlashHarp Harmonica USB Flash Drive with Video Lesson
• 2GB FlashHarp Musical Combo Harmonica Instruction Kit
• 4GB FlashHarp Harmonica USB Flash Drive
• 4GB FlashHarp Harmonica USB Flash Drive with Video Harmonica Lesson
• 8GB FlashHarp Harmonica USB Flash Drive
• 8GB FlashHarp Harmonica USB Flash Drive with Video Lesson
• 8GB FlashHarp Musical Combo Harmonica Instruction Kit