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Music Maestro

A Big Find: Double Bass Harmonica

April 8, 2020 //  by Music Maestro

There are tons of options out there for buying harmonicas. There are also, tons of video providing lovely and helpful content. Something that recently dawned on me is how I used to get so giddy when I got a new toy, or found a new source of entertainment. With a mindset locked on my reminiscent excitement, I sought out the same feelings, though this time in the harmonica world.

I don’t know how many people know this, but it is not hard to find some dang cool harmonicas out there. So! Let me waste no more of your time! Instead, let me share my recent findings.

Big Boy, Big Harmonica

Oh, yes! We are all grown up, but still feel the excitement like that of a child when we stumble onto something we experience for the first time. And that is just what happened when I found this video:

Welcome to the World of the Double Bass Harmonica

As a kid, I worked my way through many stringed instruments. Everyone and their mom plays guitar, so I didn’t want to only play guitar; of course I had picked up the Ukulele; one day, I woke up with access to a Mandolin; but the Instrument that stuck with me longer than any of the others was the Bass Guitar. This was the only one of the stringed instruments that I really clung to and became competent in.

With that reflection on my musical history, now it may be easier to imagine why I might be partial to anything Bass-related. Even if you don’t start drooling over cool Bass-related instruments, This is two Harmonicas stacked! One right on top of the other! What!

Filip Jers has a crazy channel and is under 5k followers right now! I can’t imagine how that is because he’s crazy talented! He is based in Sweden and has a gift for the harmonica.

In the video shown above, he does a little improvisation for the introduction then jumps to a Swedish Waltz; a traditional Song titled: Vals ifrån Vilhelmina. Here is another version you can listen to on youtube.

Suzuki Double Bass Chromatic Harmonica

Now! Here’s a little general knowledge on the Suzuki Double Bass Harmonica. As seen in the first video, it’s two harmonicas stacked on a frame unique for this instrument; the top harmonica is tuned in C#, while the bottom harmonica is tuned in C. having this double harmonica with access to both C# Scales and C Scales, that will bring you all the way up and down two chromatic octaves. It ranges from E to E2.

It’s built to project sound with minimal effort, so playing does not require harder blowing to get the great sound heard above.

Conclusion of Recent Findings

I think we all have a moment when we find an instrument or musician who blows our mind. It is truly fascinating to see the creative capabilities of artists who put in the time to learn their craft. My hope is that this is an inspiration to you for future learning or for picking up a new style of harmonica or a new instrument soon!

Category: General

a quality harmonica for beginners

The Top 6 Best High-Quality & Inexpensive Harmonicas: How Much Does a Good Harmonica Really Cost?

September 21, 2016 //  by Music Maestro

When first choosing to pick up a Harmonica as your next instrument, you are met with a wave of excitement, motivation, and hunger to get started on your musical path. However, it can be intimidating for new players to know where to start and what type of harmonica they need to get in order to play the music they desire.

Harmonicas are typically used across a wide array of different genres. Some of these genres include rock, folk, jazz, blues, country, and sometimes even classical music. No matter what your preferred genre of music is, it’s important to know what options you have for harmonicas and what the best brands to buy are.

While many of these little instruments range in prices from affordable to expensive, you don’t need to drop a lot of money to achieve that professional level quality you deserve. So with so many different brands, models, and types of harmonicas out there, which ones are high quality and well loved by many users? And how much does a good harmonica cost, anyways?

Below, we will go through some of the most popular harmonica brands. These, however, are not going to be your typically bottom shelf, $3 plastic harmonicas, and are not going to be good options for Harmonicas Made for Kids. If you think you need a little more information before setting your budget, check out this guide on Cheap vs Expensive Harmonicas.

Here are some of the notably high qualities, mid-range harmonicas on the market that you can try out if you are looking for a good first harmonica to start out, a Good Starter Harmonica in different keys or even an upgrade for your current harmonica set.

Cheap but Good Harmonicas Worth Upgrading to

Boseno 24 Holes Double Tremolo Best Harmonica, Key of C Prime

If you are on the lookout for a beautifully crafted harmonica that will produce the best high quality sound, the Boseno harmonica is a good option to consider. Typically tremolo harmonicas offer a very unique sound, and 24 holes to blow and draw. Each hole contains a bronze reed plates tuned to the same key, with one tuned slightly higher than the other. This unique sound adds a new feel to the harmonica world and is explored by many different musicians in many different genres. Keep in mind that when you attempt to use bending techniques on this harmonica, you can actually bend the bronze reeds. So be careful to not force reeds to bend, and play with finesse and technique.

While harmonicas come in many different keys, according to the song you are playing along with, this harmonica in particular comes in the key of C. Harmonicas in the key of C are among the most common for both professional and beginner players. It’s universal key makes it easy to jam along with other players, and can even use different techniques to achieve other keys without having to buy a new harmonica in that particular key.

The Boseno harmonica is designed with quality phosphor bronze alloy imported from Chile. The phosphor bronze alloy guarantees your instrument will resist corrosion and issues related to aging as you continue to play the harmonica. The phosphor bronze alloy also guarantees that the sound quality remains stable and beautiful, even as your harmonica ages.

It is designed with a black stainless steel cover plates, and focuses on comfort on feel and taste. Holding close to its roots, this harmonica does not only have an outstanding appearance, but is a very fashionable style as well.

It is easy to learn, comfortable to play, and comes with high grade responsive reeds that spring response quickly, creating a beautiful, clean sound. This harmonica also comes with a secure carrying case and cleaning cloth to not only keep your harmonica looking sharp, but also to extend the lifespan of your instrument. In addition to this, when you buy the Boseno harmonica, you will also receive free online instructions on how to play and care for your new tremolo harmonica.

The reviews on this particular harmonica are glowing. Many experienced players and beginner harmonica players alike have attested that the Boseno harmonica is easy to hold, produces a deep, rich sound, and can be a great harmonica for beginners. Musicians have also reviewed that this harmonica is extremely airtight due to its internal multi-point support system. Inside the harmonica are 11 screws holding together the reeds and cover plates. It also has 2 screws on the exterior making the overall structure more robust, ensuring the air tightness of the harmonica. Using food grade resin ABS engineering materials for the harmonica comb allows this instrument to also be non-toxic and waterproof, preventing damage as you play.

Overall, this harmonica is a great harmonica for any beginner player, players looking to explore the tremolo harmonica model, or even professional players. The Boseno is not only known for its beautifully handcrafted design, but also for its smooth, natural, and unique sound.

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Harmo Angel 16 Chromatic Harmonica

Easily one of the most elegant harmonica designs we’ve had the pleasure of laying eyes on, the Harmo Angel 16 Chromatic Harmonica plays just as beautifully as it looks. The Harmo Angel 16 is a precise, comfortable, 16 hole harmonica with a stylish acrylic white comb and stainless steel cover, great for jazz, classical, tango, pop, or blues music. With 16 holes, and 64 phosphor bronze reeds, this harmonica is a full range, 4 octave chromatic harmonica.

Chromatic harmonicas are known for the slider button on the side or the “gear shift”. Pressing this button allows players to reach different octaves, widening the harmonicas abilities. From there, with practice, technique, and specific maneuvers, advanced players can hit different keys, octaves, and sounds with the chromatic harmonica beyond what the slider provides. The Harmo Angel 16 has an extremely responsive “gear shift” slider allowing players to shift quickly to the next octave without skipping a beat. It is smooth to play, and is one of the most highly reviewed harmonicas on the market.

Made by musicians for musicians right here in the United States, the Harmo Angel 16 is crafted with round shape holes to make playing easier and smoother and allowing you to play for longer periods of time. With its professional quality, fast, clean response, and precise reed set up, the Harmo Angel 16 is quickly rising to the top as one of the most popular chromatic harmonicas available for musicians.

It also comes with a beautiful white sturdy case lined for protection while you travel with it. In addition to this, the Harmo Angel 16 comes with a soft, micro fiber cleaning cloth to keep the stainless steel metal cover clean and shiny. Its beautiful appearance, rounded edges and holes.

Many musicians have reviewed that the Harmo Angel 16 delivers a surprisingly sharp quality and sound, and plays well with the extra octave. In fact, this extra octave being such a low register opens up the possibility to play saxophone or even violin pieces. With is beautiful white acrylic comb and silver stainless steel cover, this little harmonica looks even better in person.

While this harmonica is extremely precise, it is not the affordable option. Sitting around $200, this harmonica is the higher-end expensive option for harmonicas, although its sound is easily unmatched to anything else on the market today. This harmonica in particular would be a great option for more intermediate to advanced players. As one continues to sharpen their skills, they need a harmonica that can do more. The Harmo Angel 16 is the harmonica that will take your playing to the next level.

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Suzuki HA-20-C Promaster Hammond Professional 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica

If you want the ability to play the Hammond organ while also prioritizing affordability and portability, the Suzuki HA-20 Promaster Hammond Professional 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica is a great option.

First manufactured in 1935 by John M. Hanert and Laurens Hammond, the Hammond organ is an electric organ that has since been produced in various models and types. It’s deep, vintage sound is extremely appealing to musicians, but it does not come at a cheap price, let alone portability.

The Hammond harmonica, however, resolves this problem. It provides the same rich sound as the Hammond organ all into a compact, pocketsize instrument. The Diatonic 10-hole is by far the most common option for beginners. Being that it is only 10 holes, the diatonic harmonica is easy to learn, and great for beginners. In fact, most music teachers and professionals would suggest that if you are just getting started on the harmonica, to start with a 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C. Not only is this the easiest to learn, but majority of online lessons or instructors will base their lessons off of this model of harmonica.

The Suzuki brand name has long stood the test of time. Crafting quality instruments time and time again, their professional expertise does not fall short of the harmonica. The HA-20 Promaster Hammond harmonica is comfortable to hold and play, and produces a clean, beautiful sound. This harmonica too, contains phosphor bronze reeds and is available in 14 different keys. However, with advance playing techniques, musicians can use a technique called ‘bending’ to achieve other keys or bend notes without having to buy a new harmonica. This is especially common and easily achievable on a diatonic harmonica in particular.

The HA-20 harmonica carries the classic Hammond logo against the black outer shell. In addition to the brass outer shell, many reviews have said that the aluminum comb makes it heavy, and easy to hold and comfortable in your hands. Many reviews claim this is the best 10-hole diatonic harmonica for beginners, or anyone starting out on the harmonica for the first time. It also provides that vintage Hammond organ sound, for even the most avid music enthusiasts and those looking to keep the sound of the Hammond organ alive in a more portable way.

It plays very smooth and precise, delivering the professional quality without the professional price. Priced at only around $60, the HA-20 harmonica is the best option for beginners at an affordable price. It also comes with a sturdy carrying case and cleaning cloth to keep your harmonica looking sharp.

Overall, this is an amazing option for beginners. Not only does it provide a clean, professional, high quality sound scales, but it is built to last again aging or corrosion and even comes with a manual on how to take care and clean your harmonica. The Suzuki HA-20 Promaster Hammond Professional 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica is a fantastic option for any player.

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Lee Oskar Harmonica, Key of C Major Diatonic

The Lee Oskar Harmoncia is another one of the best 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C and an even better option for beginners (1). Typically found in Blues and Jazz music styles, the Lee Oskar Harmonica provides the classic, raspy harmonica sound for your soulful music playing. While many manufacturers and instrument brands make a diatonic harmonica, Lee Oskar has provided a brand name you can trust. With years of expertise, professional experience, and constant refining, Lee Oskar has and may always be the top brand name for diatonic harmonicas in the market.

In 1983 Danish musician, Lee Oskar introduced his new harmonica. Built and manufactured in Japan, Lee Oskar incorporative new and innovative techniques and materials to create a radically different harmonica design to his exact standards. Frustrated with the lack of consistency with the harmonicas on the market at the time, Lee Oskar set out to change the way we play the little mouth harp. His unique design made is easier to play, more affordable, and much longer lasting than any other harmonica on the market then, and even now.

Lee Oskar Diatonic harmonicas are built with a smooth, durable plastic comb that doesn’t swell like traditional wood, tearing up the lips of the player. While also being easy to clean, the plastic comb is impervious to moisture damage, creating a much longer lifespan for your instrument than traditional harmonicas.

Typically when a reed is damaged, cracked, or broken you must either pay for a professional technician to repair your harmonica or buy a new one completely. Lee Oskar set out to solve this issue by creating affordable replacement reeds making it easy to refurbish. Gone are the days where you must toss out your harmonica because a reed or two went south. Replacement reeds are actually easily available for any Lee Oskar harmonica model, and are easily replaceable. It’s simple design makes it easy to take apart to clean or repair, and is a durable, affordable option for many harmonica players.

The reed plates are crafted with much wider chambers and narrow dividers for a quicker, more responsive sound. Precise molding allows the diatonic harmonica to produce a bigger sound while also remaining airtight and waterproof. Its stainless steel metal cover plates provide excellent projection while also providing a sleek, classic harmonica style.

Lee Oskar Harmonicas strive to be the best, most affordable option for beginner and professional players alike. Their clear bright tone, rich notes, and loud projection scales makes them incredible harmonicas. Sitting at only around $45, this harmonica is a fantastic first harmonica at an extremely affordable price. With it’s simple design structure making it easy to take apart for maintenance, it’s the best first harmonica for new players to become comfortable with. It also provides replacement parts for every part of the harmonica, including the reeds, extending the lifespan of your harmonica for years.

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Hohner Marine Band 1896 Harmonica, Key of C

In 1857, clockmaker and business entrepreneur, Matthias Hohner, decided to abandon his current trade to get into the business of harmonica making. It was in that year that Hohner opened a factory dedicated to the crafting and manufacturing of harmonicas. Although these little instruments were typically made by hand, Hohner used the technology and machines of the day to mass-produce beautifully crafted harmonicas, giving him the monopoly in the market.

Ever since then, Hohner remains the most prestige, well-respected brand in the harmonica world. With centuries of experience behind them, Hohner is a name that has and always will stand the test of time. Their product remains the same throughout the years, sticking to the recipe they know best, and only delivering high quality harmonicas for every type of musician. The Hohner Marine Band 1896 is no exception to this.

The Hohner Marine Band 1896 harmonica is one of the original harmonicas designed by Hohner, and remains a staple in the world of harmonicas (2). Since it’s release in 1896, the Hohner Marine Band 1896 harmonica has been played by some of the most renowned musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and John Lennon. It still remains a popular choice among professional musicians today all around the globe. It has a reputation for being a full-bodied rich tones, unique design, and wooden comb.

This harmonica specifically is a diatonic, 10 hole harmonica in the key of C, making them the best harmonicas for both expert and beginner harmonica players. It is made with a Pearwood comb and 20 brass reed plates, all protected by a stainless steel cover. It is extremely versatile and reliable for it’s price, sitting around only $47. Its bright, full tones make it great to play blues, jazz, rock, and even country music genres. Professional harmonica players worldwide have long praised its comfort, responsive reeds, and classic overall aesthetic.

These Hohner blues harmonica also comes with a small plastic carrying case and soft cloth making it easy to throw in your pocket. This case features information on how to care for your Hohner Marine Band harmonica, as well as a brief history, and some instructions on how to play. Since this is such a popular harmonica choice, there are hundreds of hours of free online resources dedicated to helping beginner, intermediate, and advanced players master the Marine Band harmonica.

On the other hand, since this harmonica does come with a wooden comb, it can be subject to moisture corrosion over time if not cleaned properly. The wood can swell and may cause lip injury if not cared for correctly. It takes a little effort to dissemble, but with the proper care and maintenance, the Hohner Marine Band harmonica is built to last.

Some reviews have mentioned that the holes were a little smaller, and the wooden comb much stiffer than those of other harmonicas, making it challenging to play at first, but easy once you get the hang of it. Reviews did say that this harmonica is still the superior model to Hohner’s other popular harmonicas, the Hohner Special and the Hohner Blues Harmonica.

Overall, this is a fantastic, traditional harmonica for any level of player. It’s long standing history, excellent craftsmanship, and well-respected Hohner name makes it the go to harmonica for musicians all over the world.

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Fender Blues Deville Harmonica, Key of C

Fender is one of the most famous musical instrument brands in the market today. Ranging anywhere from guitars to pianos, ukuleles to harmonicas, the Fender reputation stands strong with years of experience behind their name. Their harmonicas too live up to this prestige reputation. Thanks to its unique style and design, the Fender Blues Deville harmonica is the best harmonica for any level of player.

The Fender Blues Deville harmonica is also a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C, another classic addition to any musician’s collection (3). With its moisture resistant ABS combs, phosphor bronze reeds, and gold etched Fender logo against the black satin plate cover, the Blues Deville harmonica is an excellent choice for any serious blues harmonica player.

This harmonica also provides protective vented plastic case that allows the harmonica to remain airtight but dry after playing. This keeps your harmonica safe from moisture corrosion and aging issues. But in addition to this, you can also buy reeds to replace if needed. Over time, the more you play and jam on your harmonica, the more susceptible your instrument will become to damage. While all harmonicas have a shelf life, Fender works to extend this by making parts replaceable and durable. At an affordable price, you are able to easily take apart your instrument and replace reeds, combs, plate covers, or whatever may be damaged on your instrument.

Available in all 7 keys, the Fender Blues Deville comes in at the affordable price of only $35, making it the most affordable harmonica with the professional quality we’re all looking for. The Blues Deville may be the best harmonica on the market for beginners, and is a better model to the comparable Fender Blues Deluxe.

When people hear the name Fender, they immediately think of their guitars they are so famously known for. However, the harmonica they have crafted emits a soft, traditional sound and is marketing as the best options for any level of player, both beginner and seasoned. Many reviews have pointed out that this harmonica, although plays very smoothly, is not very loud compared to other harmonica brands.

This harmonica also comes with a carrying case and cloth, as well as instructions on how to care for your harmonica. The nice thing about this harmonica being made out of plastic comb is that there is very little maintenance required to keep your instrument lasting compared to other brand names. It is a solid, durable option on the market, at an extremely affordable price.

Overall, the Fender Blues Deville harmonica is the best option for musicians. The shape and structure is traditional so you won’t have any trouble or discomfort while playing the harmonica. It offers a soft, bright sound quality, comfort, and tuning stability making it the best first harmonica. Tuned to the perfect key of C, the Fender Blues Deville harmonica is the best choice you could make in a first harmonica.

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Final Remarks

One of the biggest pieces of advice we could give when buying a harmonica online, is looking for a place that handles returns well and seeks to get you the right product. Online shopping is not as easy as in-person shopping where you get to hold the product before purchasing, so being able to return without hassle is a huge game changer.

While there are many options for different types of harmonica brands and models on the market, we searched high and low for what we believe to be some of the best options on the market today. With decades of experience and brand names you can trust, our top harmonica suggestions include Boseno, Harmo, Suzuki, Lee Oskar, Hohner, and Fender. Makers that ultimately provide that prestige, top shelf quality in an instrument.

While each harmonica is crafted slightly different depending on the needs and playing style of the musician, they do all come with carrying case, a soft cleaning cloth, and instruction on how to care for your harmonica. Many of them, in fact, also come with beginner’s lessons and the basics to help you get started if you are totally new to the harmonic. In addition to this, there are tons of free online resources dedicated to helping you learn how to play and master the harmonica. While this is a small, powerful little instrument, it is surprisingly easy to pick up and learning is made easy.

Ranging in materials, builds, and qualities, each of these harmonicas still remains the top options of instruments on the market. Regardless of the type of harmonica you are buying, it is always important to remember to maintain and care for your little instrument. While most are immune to corrosion, due to their materials, many do require constant and regular maintenance to keep your harmonic sound bright while also extending its lifespan.

Overall, these harmonicas are all built for experts and beginners alike. They are designed for the most basic players all the way up to the most seasoned players. However, if you are looking for a different type of harmonica of some sort, head back over to the home page. You never know what kinds of tips, tricks, and other neat finds will be appearing each day.

Category: Harmonica Reviews

how-to-choose-a-harmonica

Tips on How to Go About Choosing Your Next Harmonica | Harmonica For Beginners and Advanced Players

September 21, 2016 //  by Music Maestro

Harmonicas are a favorite for many people who wish to play music anywhere but want to save funds and space. However, if you are just starting to play the harmonica or are buying one for a beginner, selecting a harmonica can be very difficult because there are a lot of considerations to consider.

Here are some of the things you need to consider when choosing a harmonica for a beginner. What harmonica should you pick?

What is the First Harmonica to Buy?

It is often recommended that beginners start off with a standard blues harp or a diatonic harmonica. Many consider it to be the easiest harmonica to play since it plays only one key and there’s no need to memorize a lot of tricks to get it to change pitches. Pretty much every brand of harmonica will offer a low-end, beginner’s harmonica.

However, if you are considering playing other music styles, you can check out chromatic harmonicas, 10-hole diatonic harmonicas and even specialized harmonicas.

Man in glasses playing a harmonica for beginners

Things to Consider When Purchasing Your First Harmonica

1) How Much Does a Harmonica Cost?

Or how much should a Harmonica Cost? What should you lay out your budget to be?

If you get a diatonic harmonica, there are several cheap harmonicas which are high quality such as the Hohner Silver Star. However, if you go a little higher, there are high-quality harmonicas that will last longer, have fewer occurrences of air leaks and are easier play.

A top-notch 10-hole diatonic harmonica can range from $30 to $60 while a quality chromatic harmonica can be around $120 to $200. If you can allot more, it is a good investment, but you may want to start with a lower budget first.

2) Should I Get a Harmonica in The Key of C?

If you buy harmonica tutorial guides or watch tutorials online, they will tell you that the key of C is the best key to start off with when learning the harmonica (1).

This key is actually quite easy to understand since it does not have any sharps or flats that would ask harmonica players to bend tunes in a specific way. Blues lovers will also recognize this key aside from the key of G. Once you learn the tips and tricks around the key of C, you can turn into other keys such as the keys of G, D and A.

3) Can the Harmonica Be Fine-Tuned Easily?

Harmonicas are a favorite for musicians because of their capacity to bend pitches to any level. Some harmonicas are already tuned based on their keys and level. Depending on the harmonica’s brand, there will be differences in terms of how you can tune the reeds to your needs.

4) Should I Get a Wood, Metal, or Plastic Harmonica Comb?

Harmonicas tend to vary in how easy they are to play and how long they will last. Harmonicas with plastic combs are very easy to play and their sound is nice, but not professional by any means. Since they are plastic, they are not easily worn out and thus can play longer. As much as I love the idea of lightweight, durable plastic, harmonica plastic is not the kind that I am after. Harmonicas made out of other materials, such as wood or metal are often much better than plastic harmonicas (2).

Wooden harmonicas are also capable of playing high class music, but they are not sealed. As a result, moisture tends to seep inside the harmonica and cause wear in the reeds. However, this is not seen in diatonic harmonicas today, allowing wooden reeds to last longer and stop expanding.

Metal combs are also available in harmonicas and they tend to last forever. They are also lighter than either plastic or wood combs, allowing the harmonica to be lighter to carry. However, no matter which harmonica comb you pick, its durability depends on the user’s technical capability.

5) Should I Buy Harmonica Aids?

As a beginner in harmonica playing, there is a variety of harmonica aids you can purchase to assist you in learning how to play. Try checking your local music shops or even book stores for books on harmonicas.

Online tutorials are also available, as are harmonica guides.

What Should You Do After Choosing Your Harmonica?

When you choose a harmonica, it is important now that you have fun playing. Nothing will crush your spirits more than starting with music that is unrealistic to learn as a beginner. Start with simple songs or even make up your own.

The possibilities are endless with harmonicas. Once you get used to playing, practice learning the various techniques in harmonica playing so you can improve your style and technique.

Check the tutorials and books you may purchase along with your harmonica to learn more about it.

If you still need help or want more information on buying a new harmonica, click here to learn more on picking your first harmonica.

Category: Harmonica Advice

harmonica-vs-melodica

What is the Difference: Harmonica vs. Melodica

September 21, 2016 //  by Music Maestro

For music lovers and players, it is always a treat to hear music played on any instrument. If the instrument can play a variety of tunes despite its range, it is often preferred by artists since they no longer need to rely on various instruments to have a large choice of things to play.

Two of the most notable instruments that have the flexibility musicians love are harmonicas and melodicas.

There is often a misconception or confusion regarding the similarities and differences between harmonicas and melodicas, especially with melodicas being known as key harmonicas. What exactly are harmonicas and melodicas in the first place?

Both harmonicas and melodicas are free-reed instruments—instruments which create music when air passes a reed. Air passes within the instrument by blowing inside it or with a bellow.

Of course, all of this make much more sense if you understand the lingo. You can learn it here if you are unsure at any time

Melodicas

A melodica looks like a keyboard at first, but it has a mouthpiece in the side where one can blow air into the instrument . Pressing a key opens a hole which allows the air to circulate and in turn, produces a sound.

In some cases, foot pumps designed for melodicas can also be used to blow air into the melodica. Similar to a harmonica, melodicas are very small and easy to carry everywhere. They are also very popular in Asia due to the number of octaves they can reach.

Melodicas are also classified into various types based on the ranges they can play in. The first types of melodica are soprano and alto melodicas, which are melodicas that can produce high-pitched and thinner sounds. Some players tend to play these melodicas with both hands with the left hand taking care of the black keys while the right handles the white keys. Others play it similarly to how a tenor melodica is played.

The tenor melodica produces a much lowered pitch with the left hand holding the handle in the bottom part of the melodica and the right hand taking care of the keys. For easier playing, some tenors put a tube in the mouthpiece hole and lay the melodica on a flat surface to get easier access to the keys.

The bass melodica is also a choice for some players; however, it is very rarely used by melodica players.

There are also two other types of melodicas that are available in the market. The first one is the Accordina. An Accordina is made from metal but it still has the same parts found in a normal melodica. However, instead of a keyboard, a button schematic similar to an accordion’s keyboard is present in the Accordina.

The wooden melodica, on the other hand, is made of plastic and wood. However, only two companies are known to make these types of melodicas, Sound Electra (MyLodica) and Victoria Accordion (Vibrandoneon).

Harmonicas

On the other hand, harmonicas or French harps can be played with one’s mouth as it directs in air to one or more holes through the mouthpiece. Each hole has a chamber which corresponds to a reed and makes the melody.

When a harmonica player vibrates the free end of the harmonica, it also produces a sound. It is important to remember that the reeds are actually pre-tuned unlike melodicas and if one wishes to change the pitch it produces, the reeds must be manually shortened or replaced with stiffer reeds.

The location of the reeds varies depending on the harmonica type. Harmonicas are also well-known to be able to do pitch bending. In this case, the tunes drop a pitch as the isolated reeds are bent.

There are several types of harmonicas which vary in how they are played and what sound they perform. The most common one is the diatonic harmonica which is designed to play a specific key, but other keys can be performed by forcing the reeds to play these keys.

The chromatic harmonica uses button-activated sliding bars to influence the air flow and control the music that flows out of the harmonica. Tremolo-tuned harmonicas, on the other hand, can produce a warbling tune that is both sharp and flat in nature.

There are also other types of harmonicas that can be used for specialized purposes such as orchestras, chords and pipes. Electronic harmonicas are also available in the market.

Category: Harmonica Advice

a toddler playing one of the best harmonicas for kids

The Best Beginner Harmonicas for Children

September 21, 2016 //  by Music Maestro

Parents often try to introduce various things to children at a young age to help develop their creativity and understanding of how things work. The most common toys or instruments given to children are music-related. While there are toys which are designed to allow children to play instruments, some parents give their children real instruments they can learn. The most popular of these instruments is the harmonica. One of the greatest things about getting a Harmonica for your child is that it is a relatively Inexpensive Instrument.

With that being said, breaking the bank is not something you need to worry about when it comes to buying a harmonica. However, if you are indeed considering getting your child a harmonica, there are a few things you need to remember before doing so.

1.   While children would love harmonicas, it is important to consider the age of the child you are giving the gift to. It is best to give it to a child if you can help them learn to play it as they need to be closely supervised on how to play the harmonica.

2.  Teach your children to play the harmonica with a clean mouth. Make sure they are not eating anything as cleaning the harmonica of crumbs can be very difficult. Others will also be able to use the harmonica after your child because they won’t have to clean the harmonica before using it.

3.  Do not buy a poor quality harmonica for your child. Children can get easily frustrated if the harmonica you give them does not work. Get a decent starter instrument for your child.

4.  Consider giving your child a diatonic harmonica as this is a good beginner’s harmonica for children. Giving them a diatonic harmonica, instead of a chromatic, will also assist you in purchasing advanced harmonicas as your child gets older.

5.  Give them a harmonica which plays in the Key of C. Doing this will help them play simple tunes easily. They will not become frustrated easily as to which reed holes to blow first. They also do not need to deal with learning sheet music and can just learn to play by ear.

6.  Harmonicas are good for children who have respiratory problems because harmonica playing is actually a good breathing exercise tool. Several medical studies proved that playing a harmonica is good treatment for those who need to build up their lung capacity. However, before you give one to a child, it is best you ask the pediatrician for approval.

7.  Monitor and guide your children as they play. Children may get frustrated learning the harmonica, but if they are monitored by their parents and taught properly, the child will greatly enjoy playing and learning.

 

How we Picked Harmonicas for Our List

Each of these harmonicas has some level of reputation. Some are shinier or prettier than others, and some have proven to hold up well with lower maintenance requirements. We made our move in picking some of the nicest, low cost, kid-friendly harmonicas on the market so that your child might be able to learn a thing or two about music.

I remember having a harmonica as a kid. I either played it super aggressively, or let it collect dust on the shelf. With that mindset of how I played when I was 7, we worked to grab harmonicas that might be fitting for that age group, or even younger. Most importantly, these harmonicas will not break the bank. Each is under $20, and many are below double digits.

So whether the harmonica is for your own child, a family member, or a friend, these are all suitable for toddlers and children.

The Top 10 Best Harmonica for Toddlers

Swan 10 Hole 20 Tones Harmonica Key of C Blues

Swan 10 Hole 20 Tones Harmonica Key of C Blues,Mini Harmonica for Beginners

Made with high-grade materials, this Diatonic Swan Harmonica is a great candidate for a toddler’s first harmonica. It is made with a copper reed plate and a stainless steel cover plate. It is sturdy enough to get the job done and stay together as long as you have it.

The Swan comes in the Key of C, as we recommended, but can also be purchased in multiple other keys. For those who may want to help the child learn, there is an instruction manual included, which can help identify good starting points for playing. Additionally, the harmonica also comes with a plastic box as a dust cover for your new harmonica.

Buy on Amazon

Kids Clearly Colorful Translucent Harmonica

Kids Clearly Colorful Translucent Harmonica, Assorted Colors

This harmonica is a wonderful sight for kids. Not only does it have a sturdy plastic covering, but it is slightly transparent. This shows off some of the internal components of the harmonica, which are pretty cool even for adults.

The internal parts are sturdy enough to hold up through the use of a child. Maintenance, such as cleaning and whatnot, is not as important for these kinds of harmonicas, since they won’t lose much quality of sound.

Once again, another harmonica in the Key of C, which is ideal as a beginner’s harmonica. This model in particular is recommended for ages 3 and up, which is a very young age to start! If your child is up to the challenge, this harmonica is waiting for them!

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Anwenk Harmonica Key of C 10 Hole 20 Tone Diatonic Harmonica C

Anwenk Harmonica Key of C 10 Hole 20 Tone Diatonic Harmonica C with Case for Beginner,Students, Kids Gift

Anwenk is a harmonica brand that usually slips by unnoticed. They have quality harmonicas that are low cost, and overall surprising for how little you pay for them! They have a great amount of pride in making instruments to play happy music. This is especially easy to do with this harmonica because, which you probably have guessed, is in the Key of C.

Materials for this instrument are metal; a copper plate and a stainless steel cover. A plastic comb means less moisture from playing with get absorbed and stay inside your harmonica. This is an assurance that maintaining it will be very easy.

Buy on Amazon

Clearly Colorful Translucent Harmonica in Blue

Clearly Colorful Translucent Harmonica, Blue

Just like the other translucent harmonica listed above, this one is a slightly transparent, plastic covering that reveals the reeds and internal components of the harmonica. This is nearly identical to the one above, but this one is guaranteed to come in the color blue!

As you can probably guess, it comes in the Key of C, and is perfect for young musicians-to-be. Ages 3 and up with love playing with this instrument and learning how the harmonica works.

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Small Fish Harmonica for Toddlers, Kids, and Adults, Musical Instrument for Beginners

Harmonica for Toddlers, Kids, and Adults, Musical Instrument for Beginners with 10 Holes and 20 Notes, Stainless Steel Diatonic Mouth Organ Set Complete with Storage Bag, Blues Harp for Boys & Girls

The Small Fish Harmonica is an instrument made with kids and beginners in mind. The holes are large and make it easy to play, and it is slightly scaled down to make it a bit more suitable for children.

Despite being crafted for kids, it has a professional presentation. It comes in a beautiful box with a cleaning cloth and a protective cloth sleeve. A set up like this really makes you feel like you’re getting a fancy harmonica, but it doesn’t cost nearly as much. This truly is a tremendous first harmonica for all ages all the way down to toddlers because of the size and ease of playing.

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Koogel 2 PCS Translucent 10 Hole Harmonicas Educational Toys

Koogel 2 PCS Translucent Kids Harmonica,10 Hole Children Harmonicas Educational Toys for Beginners Kids Party Holidays(Blue,Pink)

The Koogel 2 Piece Set is an amazing deal, considering how these two harmonicas hold up compared to the rest on the list. The cost for both is lower than many of the others, but the quality is nearly the same. This is an ideal purchase for those looking to grab two harmonicas quickly.

The bright colors will grab your attention and the sound will draw you in as these harmonicas play just fine. These are one of the few that recommend an instrument for ages as young as three years old.

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ARTHOMES Blues 10 Hole 20 Tones Standard Harmonica

The Arthomes Blues Harmonica is a great choice for kids, as well as adults. It’s a high quality piece with a smooth finish that allows the player to blow easily on all holes. The air tight design provides a rich, quality sound with responsive play ability. It comes with a case and a mini keychain harmonica.

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Melissa and Doug Harmonica

Known for creating quality toys for children, Melissa and Doug also offer a harmonica that will help nurture your child’s creativity and imagination. Your child will not need to exert effort to make music because this instrument is designed to play beautiful music with just one blow. It is also perfect for any musical occasion your child could want to bring it to.

Buy Now on Amazon

Eastar Captain Blues Diatonic Harmonica 10 Holes C Key Beginner Harmonica for Kids

Eastar Captain Blues Diatonic Harmonica 10 Holes C Key Beginner Harmonica for Kids and Adults with Hard Case and Cloth

Eastar made a harmonica that has the most wonderful sound of nearly all beginner harmonicas we have heard. That harmonica is the Captain Limited Edition Blues Harmonica. It has a sleek look with a great limited edition logo on top that is absolutely stunning.

It plays smoothly and is proclaimed as “suitable for stage playing.” This tightly packed, well made instrument is one we wish didn’t slip through the cracks as much as some others because it really is a wonderful instrument.

The only reason it made an appearance so low on this list is because it may not be as suitable for ages 3 & 4, but more-so for ages above. Nevertheless it is a sturdily built harmonica that will outlast most beginner harmonicas. And for that reason, we were thrilled to include it on our list.

Buy on Amazon

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Harmonica

World of Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Harmonica

One of the greatest kid’s books of all time has a harmonica. You hear it right: The Very Hungry Caterpillar has a matching harmonica! It has an adorable aesthetic to match the theme of the book and is designed for kids age 2 and up. It is large enough where it isn’t much of a chocking hazard, though it’s always best to keep a careful eye out.

Tiny musicians will love the playful look of this instrument as well as the truly great sound quality that comes from it. As childish and simple as it looks, it produces surprisingly good sound. This is one that you can keep around for a while even if it busts just because of how pretty it is.

Buy on Amazon

Bottom Line

These harmonicas are wonderful little instruments that are still cheap and colorful enough to be considered toys, yet they actually produce great sound. For a kid learning to play, they will not even notice that you didn’t get them a professional level harmonica!

Category: Harmonica Reviews

good harmonica for beginners to buy

The Best Harmonica Techniques for a Beginner to Practice Playing

September 21, 2016 //  by Music Maestro

If you have just recently purchased your harmonica, you may be wondering what comes next in the process. Some users may even get frustrated because they do not know what to do next with their harmonicas once they have bought it. To help you, here is a short guide on how to start playing harmonica for beginners. Already a few sessions in? We have your back! Here’s a few tips on speeding up your Harmonica Learning Process!

Learning the blowing and drawing technique

First, it is important to understand the parts of your harmonica and learn which hole corresponds to which note key.

When you start playing your harmonica from left to right, you would notice there is a skip in the notes so it will sound like 1, 3, 5, and 8 or C, E, G, C if your harmonica is in the Key of C Major. The reason for this skip is  that you have to direct the air to get the other notes through inhaling and exhaling, a technique known as blowing and drawing.

The top most part of the hole is for blowing, while the bottom half of the hole is for drawing. For example, if you blow on hole 9, you would produce a G note but when you draw the air back in, you would hear an F. It may be confusing at first, but harmonicas often have guides as to which notes are produced by blowing and drawing each hole, so double check your guide.

How can you play your harmonica?

It may look simple at first, but playing a harmonica is actually quite difficult at first because you have to make sure the air flows properly and produces the volume you want to be heard. There are actually two major methods of playing your harmonica: the tongue and the pucker method.

In the tongue method, it is important you relax your mouth first and ensure that it is covering several holes in the process to ensure that the air is concentrated in these areas. Then cover those you don’t want to make a sound with your tongue.

Many players prefer this method if they want to split the notes the harmonica plays. This also ensures that you will be able to produce two notes at the same time even if they are not beside one another.

The pucker method, on the other hand, starts with relaxed lips. When you start inhaling or exhaling, you will hear the notes of the areas that are affected. To play, just make your lips go into a ‘kissing’ position and start from there. Also guide your lips along the harmonica and get a feel of it. It can be difficult to learn this playing method, but with a little patience, it can be done.

What is bending?

Harmonicas are well-known for being able to bend pitches. When you bend a note, you change its pitch and volume. Once you inhale or exhale, your mouth position changes, influencing how the pitch is played and how fast it would react.

Bending notes are common in blues music. It is actually very difficult to start bending notes at first but it can be learned.

To bend a note, there are several techniques you can learn. The first method is called the tilt, which relies on changing the airflow’s angle for a certain hole. You need to experiment to find which angle works best to get the tune you want when bending using this method.

If you don’t want to use the tilt method, you can also start by changing the movement of your tongue when playing. Many experts say that to make a perfect bend, no matter what method is used, you just need to practice breathing and improve your capacity to direct the flow of the air in the harmonica.

How to clean your harmonica?

After you play your harmonica, it is important you clean it regularly to ensure that no gunk or residue is stuck inside it which may affect your playing. If your harmonica has a plastic comb, you can easily clean your harmonica with just running water and allow it to dry on its own.

You may also opt to disassemble it and clean it to ensure that nothing is indeed in the way of your reeds. Make sure you remember where each screw is located and clean the parts with soap and water.

Just make sure you clean it thoroughly as you may find yourself playing with the harmonica tasting like the soap you use. If there are metal components in it, make sure you dry everything before putting it back.

Final Remarks

If you are ever just sitting around, remember those are valuable moments to be practicing! Any time from waiting for the bus, to being stuck at home, even to a slow walk in the street is a great opportunity to practice what you know and master what you struggle with.

The biggest issue for those learning any instrument is the time commitment. So if you can overcome this, nothing will stop you from rising up to be one of the best at playing harmonica!

Category: Harmonica Advice

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