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Harmonica types

There are basically three types of harmonica, although a few more have emerged with even more modified characteristics. The correct selection of the desired harmonica should be based on the style of music that one wants to play and the type of effects that one wants to put on. on. There are 3 basic types: the diatonic harmonica, the tremolo harmonica, and the chromatic harmonica.

1. Diatonic Harmonicas This was the first type of harmonica to be created. Although they are most commonly used to play blues and country, one will be able to play all kinds of popular music with a diatonic harmonica.

A diatonic harmonica has 10 holes and allows the player to use pitches and semitones equivalent to white notes on a piano (using the C major scale as an example). However, it is possible to play other notes using bending and over hitting techniques.

2. Tremolo Harmonicas: This type of harmonica is ideal for playing very traditional music because a wonderful “tremolo” effect can easily be created. It is very popular with the gospel and the old world; Folk, country, Scottish and Irish music.

Tremolo harmonicas are constructed with vertically placed double holes. Each contains two reeds, one slightly out of tune to the other. By vibrating together, these reeds produce a unique tremolo effect.

3. Chromatic harmonicas: The chromatic harmonica has been created to compensate for the missing notes in the diatonic harmonica. You can play both the tones and semitones of a chromatic scale (a chromatic scale is when the white notes and the black notes are played in succession; C, Db, D, Eb, E, etc.) with the help of a slider button. . .

Some other types of harmonicas are:

EIGHTH TUNED

Octave harmonicas are similar to tremolo models in reed design and musical range. However, instead of having the reeds tuned to the same note, each double hole has a reed tuned one octave away from the other.

SPECIAL TUNED DIATONIC – Used to take advantage of additional notes and scales not present in the chromatic harmonica.

CHORD AND BRASS HARMONIC – These are two more types of harmonica that are primarily used for ensemble performances.

There are thousands of different models present on the market, be it a diatonic or chromatic harmonica, and different models of different types of harmonicas. Harmonicas can be made of metal or plastic.

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