Harmonica is an easy to play musical instrument, it is compact and easy to take anywhere. Harmonicas are available in various shapes and sizes, and available for players from beginners to pros. You get blues harps, chromatic, and complete sets in all the keys you need.
Best Harmonicas
Most beginners usually go in for a diatonic harmonica as its simple to use. Its better to start on a 10-hole diatonic harmonica that is tuned to the key of C (most harmonica teachers also recommend this).
Once you get a hang of the instrument, you should also consider owning a chromatic harmonica. The chromatic harmonica allows you to bend notes (using a button-activated lever), which means you can play more songs on a chromatic harmonica, compared to a diatonic harmonica.
If you already know how to play an instrument then it will be easier for you to play the harmonica. So why not pick up another instrument. There are several piano and guitar players who play the harmonica.
There’s a wide range of harmonicas available on the market (diatonic 7-note, 10-note and chromatic). In general, German made harmonicas are considered to be the best in the world.
Best Value-for-Money Harmonicas
Hohner Special 20 Harmonica: This is a diatonic harmonica tuned to the key of C. It comes with Zip Case, Instructional Manual, and Polishing Cloth.
SEYDEL Harmonica: 10-hole Diatonic Harmonica in Key of C. Great for practice and well suited for beginners.
Eison Chromatic Harmonica: This is a 10-hole chromatic harmonica suitable for students and beginners.
K&M Konig & Meyer Harmonica Holder for Professionals
Harmonica Buying Guide
The harmonica, also known as the mouth organ, has various nicknames, including blues harp, pocket piano and Mississippi saxophone. It is a popular instrument in most parts of the world.
The harmonica is used in a variety of musical genres – classical, folk, country, rock, blues, jazz. Its also commonly used in folk music (and local music) in countries around the world.
Harmonicas are generally classified in three basic types: Diatonic, Chromatic and Tremolo. If you’re a beginner, you probably should go with a diatonic harmonica.
To produce sound from the harmonica, you need to inhale and exhale into evenly spaced air channels; when you do that, the metal reeds placed within produce the musical tones.
The length and thickness of the reed determines the note that is produced.
Learning to Play the Harmonica
The harmonica is actually very easy to learn and play.
As a beginner you need to learn to play the notes and basic techniques which will help you to start playing simple songs. There are many things that you can do very quickly, very easily on the harmonica (and it will sound great). Over time, you will need to learn things like – breath control, tone control, single note technique, tongue, blocking technique, bending technique.
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Hering Vintage Blues 40 Style 1923
In search of the ideal harmonica, I bought about twenty diatonic harmonicas in the space of a few months, because if I play the harmonica for years, I put myself seriously there a few months taking lessons with one of the best harmonica player in France. I let myself be tempted by the Hering Vintage Blues 40 Style 1923, seduced
Nice retro look, but difficult to draw altered notes. But, if you wish to own a good harmonica and keep the vintage look, you can unscrew the covers and put it inside a box spring of a Hohner Special 20 or a Suzuki Hammond or Pure Harp (the spacing screws are identical for these three models).
I made a hybrid Hering Vintage 1923 – Hohner Special 20 harmonica and its a really cool harmonica with a nice look.