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Harmonica for Beginners Guide

Harmonica for Beginners Guide

Check out the beginner’s guide here for the harmonica. There are basically three types of harmonicas: the 10-hole harmonica, the tremolo harmonica, and the chromatic harmonica. First, we will introduce all three types♪

10-Hole Harmonica (Blues Harp)

The harmonica was invented and manufactured first in Germany in the 1820’s. As the name says, this one has 10 holes and it’s the most popular and recommended harmonica for beginners. Blues harp is frequently played in rock and blues and pop bands. A single hole produces a different note by inhaling and exhaling into the holes. When you blow into two holes, you can play two notes at once! It is now called the blues harp after the popular harmonica by the brand HOHNER.

How to Choose a 10-Hole Harmonica

If you haven’t decided which song you want to play yet, we recommend starting with a song in C Major first. If you have selected a tune, select the key (tone) according to the song. The 10-hole harmonica has a position where you can play various keys with just one harmonica. Here, we will introduce the three standard types.

▶1st (First Position): Select a harmonica with the same key as the song key.
The first position is for those who want to play melodically. You use more exhaling sounds than inhaling sounds.
▶2nd (Second Position): Choose a harmonica with a key that is a perfect fifth above the key of the song.
This position is for those who like to play with a bend in the sound. In that playing style, you use inhaling sound more than exhaling sound.
▶3rd (Third Position): Choose a harmonica that is 2 keys lower than the key of the song.
This position is for those who want to play in minor keys.

For those who don’t know how to play 1st, 2nd, and 3rd along with the key of the song, look at the graph below!

Key of the Song		C	C#	D	E♭	E	F	F#	G	A♭	A	B♭	B
Harmonica	1st	C	C#	D	E♭	E	F	F#	G	A♭	A	B♭	B
	2nd	F	F#	G	A♭	A	B♭	B	C	C#	D	E♭	E
	3rd	Dm	E♭m	Em	Fm	F#m	Gm	A♭m	Am	B♭m	Bm	Cm	D♭m
	Natural Minor	Am	B♭m	Bm	Cm	D♭m	Dm	E♭m	Em	Fm	F#m	Gm	A♭m

Top 3 Best-Selling 10-Hole Harmonicas

＞ Go to the List of 10-Hole Harmonicas

Chromatic Harmonica

This harmonica can play chromatic scales since it has sharps and flats, which are marked as ♯ and ♭, and it’s often used in jazz and classical music. Also known as the sliding harmonica, the standard model can produce a semitone above the scale by pressing the lever.

How to Choose a Chromatic Harmonica

▶Straight Arrangement / Short Stroke: Since the holes are close to each other, the sound can be switched smoothly. The holes are small, so you can make it sound with only a small amount of breath, but it’s difficult to add dynamics.
▶Cross Arrangement / Long Stroke: The large hole makes it easy to breathe and add dynamics. Since the holes are far apart, practice is required to make the sound smoothly connected.

Top 3 Best-Selling Chromatic Harmonicas

＞ Go to the List of Chromatic Harmonica

Tremolo Harmonica

Also known as the compound harmonica, this type is recommended for emotional melodies such as ballads and enka. The upper and lower two rows of the holes are tuned to different pitches, so with one blowing, it produces 2 notes. According to this playing style, a beautiful tremolo effect (waviness) can be obtained from the pitch difference.

POINT

The tremolo harmonica is recommended for those who want a sound that is a bit different from other harmonicas.

Top 3 Best-Selling Tremolo Harmonicas

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Harmonica Related Goods

Harmonica Holders

You can play the harmonica without using your hands playing an acoustic guitar. Adding harmonica to your singing and guitar playing will further expand your range of expression.

＞ Go to the List of Harmonica Holders

Care Goods

Repair Tool Kit

This kit is used to replace the reed plate and clean the inside.

SUZUKI
HRT-01

Cleaning Cloth

Use a cleaning cloth to wipe off fingerprints on the harmonica body.

Harmonica Disinfection Cleaner

The harmonica is a musical instrument that is played by the mouth. Keep it clean at all times!

Major Manufacturers

What did you think? Could you understand the main categories of harmonica? Check out which harmonica your favorite musicians play.
If the musician is playing a 10 hole harmonica, the key differs by the songs. When you try to cover the song, challenge yourself by playing your harmonica in the same key as the song!

＞ Go to the List of Harmonica Products