Whether you’re a fan of the blues or not, the harmonica is a pretty awesome instrument. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a band, or you simply need an easy instrument with which to play soulful tunes. The harmonica can be enjoyed by everyone, and the only challenge one might encounter is finding Where to buy a harmonica that is good.
If that’s why you’re here, then you’re in the right place. Musical instruments like the harmonica are aplenty on the internet; sometimes, it’s impossible to distinguish authentic brands from the fakes.
In this guide, we’ll talk about the best place to buy harmonicas online, plus review a couple of bestselling harps to help point you in the right direction.
Types of Harmonicas
Diatonic Harmonica
The diatonic harmonica is not only the most popular kind, but it is also the best for beginners. Most of them are ergonomic (easy to handle), compact, and have ten holes. Although a diatonic harmonica can play in multiple keys, they are better suited for playing in one key. As a beginner, you’ll have much more luck learning the harp if you choose a diatonic harmonica in the key of C.
Chromatic Harmonic
The chromatic harmonica is more advanced, capable of playing in multiple keys and octaves, and sometimes has a button on the side to facilitate semitone production. Most chromatic harmonicas have between 8 and 16 holes, but the most common you’ll find is the 12-key chromatic harmonica in the key of C.
Although anyone can learn how to play them, chromatic harmonicas have a steeper learning curve than diatonic ones.
Tremolo Harmonica
The tremolo harmonica is often the most used kind of harp in professional music circles. That’s because it produces notes with sharp and flat variations, which lends it its name and the ability to make a “trembling” sound effect for which it is extremely popular. Tremolo harmonicas are hard to master but produce the most beautiful sound of the three harps
Amazon: The One-Stop-Shop for All Kinds of Harmonicas
Though there are a few places from which you can look for buying harmonicas online. When looking for where to buy harmonicas, keep in mind that one of the best places to look is Amazon. Amazon stocks a wide variety of products from reputable vendors from all over the world. Some of the best harmonica manufacturers (Hohner, Suzuki, etc.) already have their products on Amazon, so getting your money’s worth is just a matter of knowing the right harmonica to choose.
To make that choice a little easier for all prospective harmonica players, here are three harmonicas from Amazon you should check out:
Hohner M2009BXG Marine Band Crossover Diatonic Harmonica
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This is an affordable entry-level diatonic harmonica in the key of G that any beginner would be happy to have. Its build quality is decent as the harmonica sports a triple-laminated bamboo comb, brass reed plates, and stainless steel cover plates, all of which contribute to the instrument’s durability and bright, crisp tones.
Taking it apart and putting it back together is easy because the harmonica is held together with Philips head screws. That means you can clean and maintain it without much hassle. The manufacturer has also rounded off the plate edges to make the instrument more comfortable to play.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to master
- Easy to maintain
- Comfortable to play
- Durably built
Cons
- The manufacturer needs to perform more quality checks before shipping
Hohner 64 Chromonica Harmonica
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A true professional’s tool, the 64 Chromonica harmonica is credited as the first 4-octave chromatic harmonica to ever grace the stage. It has a total of 16 holes and 48 reeds and is capable of playing up to four octaves in the key of C.
The construction of the harmonica reflects the quality Hohner craftsmanship musicians have come to expect. It has brass reed plates, stainless steel cover plates, a brass/nickel-plated mouthpiece, and zigzag slide construction. The comb is made of sturdy black ABS plastic.
Features like solo tuning make it every professional’s dream harmonica, and with its resilient build and chill-inducing deep growl, there is no piece of classical, soul, jazz, or blues music that the 64 Chromonica cannot play.
Pros
- Excellent craftsmanship
- Stainless steel hardshell case
- Capable of playing four full octaves
- Compact and easy to handle
- Bright, clear sound
Cons
- Brass reeds quickly wear down and may need constant repairs/replacements.
Suzuki SU-21W C Luxury Hamming 21-Hole Tremolo Harmonica
The Suzuki SU-21W Humming High-Class tremolo harmonica is what expert musicians refer to as “affordable quality.” Since it falls just below the $100 price tag, it is a budget harmonica that delivers far more bang for the buck than anyone expects. It has a total of 21 keys (holes), a chrome-plated brass cover, and a new resin comb.
The resin comb is designed to mimic the warm timber of wooden combs. This comb is more durable because it is non-absorbent like plastic, even though half of its composition is natural wood fibers. Because of it, this tremolo harmonica produces strong, vibrant sounds with the same warmth as a higher-end tremolo harmonica with a wooden comb.
Each harmonic comes with a hard carry case for storage and a soft cloth for maintenance.
Pros
- Solid build
- Durable resin comb
- Beautiful, firm sound
- Stainless steel/chrome cover case
Cons
- Repairs and replacements require professional help.
Final Thoughts
Making beautiful music is a harmonica’s only job, but not all the instruments you’ll find online are crafted to meet the high musical standards required to create magical sounds. The best place to look for a harmonica is Amazon, simply because they have the widest range of harps, and all the leading harmonica brands can be found there.
Remember to buy a harmonica that matches your skill level. A diatonic harmonica is the best place to start if you want to learn how to play the instrument. Chromatic and tremolo harps may be slightly harder to master, but the payoff is the beautiful, timeless, and soulful music they can make in the right hands.
Your harmonica is only as good as you treat it, so regular cleaning and inspections can help you prolong its lifespan dramatically. Also, the more expensive harps are not necessarily better or more “musical,” what you should focus on more is your level of skill to find the perfect harmonica for your needs. If you aren’t sold on any of these instruments, you can always keep browsing our other harmonica reviews. You’re bound to find something that fits your needs perfectly!