Oct
30,
2023
Did you know that the harmonica has been around for centuries, yet it's one of the most underappreciated instruments out there? It's true. While ...
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Keys
Keys
Oct
30,
2023
Did you know that the harmonica has been around for centuries, yet it's one of the most underappreciated instruments out there? It's true. While ...
Oct
30,
2023
If you're searching for the best diatonic harmonica, you'll soon find out there's a lot to consider. Interested? You should be. Knowing the ...
Oct
30,
2023
Did you know that the Seydel Chromatic De Luxe Steel is one of the few harmonicas in the world to feature stainless steel reeds? This isn't just a ...
Oct
30,
2023
Think you know everything there is to know about harmonicas? Well, prepare to be amazed. The Seydel 1847 Silver Harmonica is here to shatter all ...
Sep
12,
2023
The Hohner Crossover harmonica is a true gem in the world of harmonicas. Designed with a serious player in mind, this harmonica offers a perfect ...
Sep
12,
2023
Welcome to our captivating blog, where we embark on a musical journey delving into "The Evolution of Chromatic Harmonicas: A Historical Overview." ...
Sep
12,
2023
Welcome to our blog, where we'll take you on a harmonious journey into the world of harmonica neck holders. If you're new to this fascinating ...
Mar
17,
2023
If you want to play Blues, Country, Rock, or Folk music you most likely want to buy a diatonic harmonica. The diatonic harmonica is a 10-hole ...
Feb
06,
2023
There are really 3 main types of harmonicas: 1.Diatonic harmonicas are mostly used in Folk, Blues, Country, and Rock. They come tuned in a ...
Feb
06,
2023
Probably around 1830-35, a watchmaker from the small town of Trossingen, Christian Messner took over a model of a mouth organ (perhaps an aura) ...
Dec
29,
2022
Harmonica sets are a good way to save and bundle once you know which model you like.
Dec
05,
2022
The Hohner echo models like the Echo 32 – 2309 harmonica the Hohner Echo 48 – 2509 harmonica and the double sided Echo models 54/64 and 56/96 ...
Dec
02,
2022
In the history of the harmonica blues there is a before and after Little Walter. An artist who is a pivotal between two ways of blowing the ...
Nov
05,
2022
Are you looking to purchase the perfect harmonica? Do you already have a budget in mind? Which harmonica brand is better? More importantly do you ...
Oct
25,
2022
Looking for a cool gift for Halloween? why not check our limited selection of creepy harmonicas?
Feb
25,
2022
For the first time in 20 years Seydel harmonicas that are hand made in Germany announces a general price increase.
Feb
01,
2020
What is the best harmonica for beginners? In this article we'll help you select your first harmonica.
Feb
01,
2020
Harmonicas come in a wide variety of keys. Depending on your level and what style of music you're playing you might only need one key. Let's see ...
Dec
27,
2019
what harmonica to buy? Buying a harmonica really depends on several factors and here we're going to help you make the right decision So let's ...
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Chromatic Harmonicas
The chromatic harmonica comes as a 10, 12, 14 and 16 hole model.
The 12 and 16 hole chromatic harmonicas are the norm and most brands have at least one of each.
The most common chromatic Harp is a 12 hole harmonica in the key of C and it covers 3 full octaves.
The chromatic harmonica has been designed to provide you all the sharp and flat notes at the simple push of a slide.
When you play without the slide all the notes are natural notes: C D E F G A B once you push the slide in you get the sharps and flats. In this regard, the chromatic harmonica is close to a Piano and much easier to understand and master than a diatonic harmonica whose note layout can drive one insane.
The Key of C is logically the main key most players use at all times simply because as the chromatic harmonicas also have all sharps and flats the player doesn't really need anything else to play in all keys. The Chromatic harmonica is indeed a fully chromatic musical instrument much as a Saxophone, a Violin or a Trumpet.
That being said some manufacturers offer the 12 hole tuned in other keys.
Hohner has 2 models that comes in 9 keys, The Hohner Chromonica 270 a classic but aging model, and the CX12 black a more modern option.
They both come in C, D, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, B and Low C also sometimes called C tenor. Even if there is barely any pro player using those special tuned keys one might find it interesting in the following cases:
- If your technique is limited and ability to play in multiple keys on one harmonica is not very developed you might then use the chromatic more like a diatonic and switch harmonica key for different song keys
- You're looking to have a higher or lower register or different flavor for a specific tune. Using a G or Low C harmonica for instance will give you access to more low notes than on a standard C and that might just be what the tune your playing needs.
The Suzuki SCX-48 comes in C, D, F, G and A
The Harmo Angel 12 comes in C, D ,G ,A, Bb and Low C and might well be the Best chromatic harmonica money can get you under a $250 budget.
Both of these use phosphore bronze reeds and a modern design suited for any genre of music.
There is only one 10 hole chromatic on the market it's the Hohner Chromonica 260 and it has actually been discontinued by Hohner but Harmonicaland still has new ones in stock. It's more portable than a 12 hole and gives you the best of a 12 without the last 2 holes that we usually don't use that much since they are very high-pitched notes.
There are only 2 options for a 14 hole: Hohner Meisterklasse Chromatic a high-end instrument one of the best chromatic harmonica for the professional player and the Suzuki SCX-56 a more affordable model.
The 16 hole Chromatic harmonica was introduced years after the 12 hole became popular mostly to offer players an additional octave in the low register making it possible to play violin classical pieces. In this aspect, the 16 hole would be the model of choice for classical players. Funnily enough, that is also the preferred model used by Blues players because even though they rarely use the chromaticity of the instrument the low octave give them some extra growl.
Hohner 16 hole chromatic harmonica models include the classic Chromonica 280 used by most Blues players probably their best selling chromatic harmonica as well as the fancier Super 64C and Super 64X
Suzuki has several models ranging from the SCX-64 all the way to their top of the line Fabulous model which is by far the most expensive 16 hole chromatic harmonica ever made.
Seydel just recently added a 16 hole to their catalog with the Symphony 64
Harmo gives you a nice quality priced 16 hole with the Angel 16 and a rare brass comb model called the Admiral 64.
The chromatic harmonica has been very popular in Jazz with Larry Adler, Toots Thielemans or Gregoire Maret. We can also hear it in famous pop songs played by Stevie Wonder and Eurythmics.
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