In this free harmonica lesson we will cover:
❓ Prefer to watch a video? Check out my free video at the end of this lesson, all about the different types of harmonica.
➡️ Always called the harmonica something else, like mouth organ or mouth harmonica? Learn about all the different names for the harmonica here.
The Different Types of Harmonica
There are lots of different types of harmonica: diatonic, chromatic, tremolo, bass, chord and more.
There are three most common types of harmonica used. These are the diatonic, chromatic and tremolo harmonica.
Let's briefly explore the features of each.
Diatonic Harmonica
This is probably what you picture when you think of a harmonica. Diatonic harmonicas are tuned to a single key, and usually have 10 holes containing 20 reeds. Diatonic harmonicas are the most common type of harmonica and are used in a variety of musical genres including blues, folk, country, pop and rock.
Famous diatonic harmonica players include Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, and you may have noticed them in Western movies or heard them on the radio. They are known for emotive bending sounds. They are small, affordable and a great place for beginners to start.
MOST POPULAR FOR: Blues, pop, rock, folk, country
RECOMMENDED MODELS: Hohner Special 20, Suzuki Bluesmaster, Seydel Session Steel, Lee Oskar Major Diatonic
➡️ Want to know what the best blues harmonica is for beginners? Here is a free lesson!
Chromatic Harmonica
The chromatic harmonica is a type of harmonica that can play all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. This means that you can play any song in any key on a chromatic harmonica. Because of their melodic dexterity, chromatic harmonicas are often used to play jazz, classical and pop music. Famous chromatic harmonica players include Stevie Wonder and Larry Adler. The button on the end gives you the sharps and flats, meaning the instrument can play any melody. The trade-off is that it isn't necessarily the most expressive when it comes to textures and bending.
MOST POPULAR FOR: jazz, classical, pop
RECOMMENDED MODELS: Hohner Super Chromonica, Hohner CX12
Tremolo Harmonica
Tremolo harmonicas produce a tremolo effect. This effect is created by having two reeds per note, one tuned slightly sharp and the other slightly flat. When you play a tremolo harmonica, the two reeds vibrate at slightly different frequencies, creating a wavering or warbling sound also known as 'tremolo'. They are tuned to play simple melodies and are very popular in Asia and with Irish folk musicians.
MOST POPULAR FOR: Celtic and Asian folk music
RECOMMENDED MODELS: Seydel Sailor Steel Tremolo, Suzuki Humming SU-21M
How many harmonicas are there WORLDWIDE?
So how many harmonicas are there in the whole world? Now there's a million dollar question!
🥳 Harmonica is the best-selling instrument in the world.
It is very difficult to know how many harmonicas there are in the world, but it is estimated that over 100 million harmonicas have been sold worldwide. Here are some of the reasons why the harmonica is the best-selling instrument in the world:
Portability: The harmonica is a small, lightweight instrument that can easily be carried in a pocket or backpack. This makes it a great instrument for travel or for playing on the go.
Affordability: Harmonicas are relatively inexpensive instruments, making them a more accessible option for beginners.
Ease of learning: The harmonica is a relatively easy instrument to learn to play. The basic technique is simple, and it requires little to no finger dexterity.
Variety of genres: The harmonica can be played in a variety of musical genres including blues, folk, jazz, and rock. This makes it a versatile instrument that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and musical tastes.
If you are looking for a fun and easy-to-learn instrument to play, the harmonica is a great option. It is the best-selling instrument in the world for a reason!
So now you know all about the different types of harmonica.
🚨 Want to learn blues harmonica?
At bluesharmonicalessons.com we are committed to providing high quality online harmonica lessons. Click here to see the blues harmonica courses we offer!
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