Harmonicas

Also known as a French harp or mouth organ, the harmonica is a free wind reed instrument played by forming the mouth over the different holes and directing air in and out through the reeds. It’s featured in a wide variety of musical genres, including country music, American folk music, blues, classical and rock.

A harmonica works by forcing air through one or more holes in the harmonica. Behind each hole is a chamber that contains one or more pre-tuned reed plates. Each chamber typically has a reed that produces one note when air is blown through (pushed) and another when air is drawn in (pulled).

Like with any instrument, it’s not difficult to pick up a few notes or even a song in your first lesson, especially when using a diatonic harmonica. However, mastering the harmonica takes time and dedication, as does anything.

Harmonica prices range from just a few dollars for plastic toys to thousands of dollars for a sterling silver classical professional harmonica. Ultimately, price depends on construction, harmonica type, brand, and, sometimes, whether or not it's a collector’s item.

A diatonic valve harmonica is typically a good choice for a beginner because of its simplicity, availability, and price. Many beginners start with a 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C.

There several types of harmonicas:

• Diatonic harmonicas (overbend and valved)
• Chromatic harmonicas
• East Asian tremolo harmonicas
• European tremolo harmonicas
• Octave harmonicas
• Chord harmonicas
• Bass harmonicas
• What keys do harmonicas come in?
• You can find a harmonica tuned to any of the 12 keys.

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