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Harmonicas

Our range of harmonicas and folk instruments covers diatonic and chromatic harmonicas in a spread of keys, alongside mandolins, banjos and other traditional instruments. A harmonica is the most portable instrument there is and one of the few you can make a convincing sound on within a day. Found it cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price.

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Diatonic or chromatic?

A diatonic harmonica plays the notes of one key, which sounds restrictive but is exactly why it is easy to start on: almost anything you play in that key sounds right. It is the harmonica of blues, folk and country, and the ten hole diatonic is what most people picture. A chromatic harmonica adds a button-operated slide that gives every semitone, so one instrument plays in any key, which is what jazz and classical players need. Start diatonic unless you already read music and want the full range.

Which key should you buy first?

Buy a harmonica in the key of C. Almost all tuition material, videos and books are written for C, so learning on anything else means transposing everything before you can even begin. Once you are playing, the next most useful keys are A, D and G, which cover the majority of blues and folk repertoire. Note that blues players usually play a harmonica a fourth above the song key, so a song in E is normally played on an A harmonica, which is worth knowing before you buy for a specific song.

Bending notes and playing single notes

The two skills that make a harmonica sound like music rather than a chord are playing single notes and bending. Single notes come from narrowing the mouth and directing air at one hole, often with the tongue blocking neighbours, and it takes patience rather than talent. Bending lowers the pitch by changing the shape of the mouth and throat, which is what produces the expressive blues sound. Both take weeks rather than days, and neither is a fault of the instrument if it does not come immediately.

Comb and reed materials

The comb is the body, and it is plastic, wood or metal. Plastic is stable, cheap and unaffected by moisture, which makes it the sensible starting choice. Wood sounds warm and is traditional but can swell with moisture unless sealed, which is why older wooden harmonicas sometimes have protruding comb edges. Reed plates are usually brass, and while more expensive instruments use better tolerances and materials, the biggest difference at the beginner end is airtightness rather than the metal itself.

Care, cleaning and hygiene

Tap the harmonica out on your palm after playing to clear moisture, and let it dry with the holes facing down rather than putting it straight in a pocket. Avoid eating immediately before playing, since food particles are the main cause of a stuck or dull reed. Do not wash a wooden combed harmonica under a tap, as the comb will swell. Harmonicas are personal instruments and should not be shared, for obvious hygiene reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which harmonica should a beginner buy?
A ten hole diatonic in the key of C. Nearly all tuition material is written for C, so learning on another key means transposing everything first. A and D are the useful next purchases for blues and folk.

What is the difference between diatonic and chromatic?
A diatonic plays one key, which makes it easy to sound good on and is the harmonica of blues and folk. A chromatic has a slide button giving every semitone, so it plays in any key, which jazz and classical players need.

Which key do I need for a particular song?
For blues, players usually use a harmonica a fourth above the song key, so a song in E is typically played on an A harmonica. For straight melody playing in folk styles, match the harmonica to the song key.

Why can I only play chords, not single notes?
That is normal at first. Single notes come from narrowing the mouth and directing air at one hole, often with the tongue blocking the neighbours. It takes weeks of patience rather than any special talent, and it is not a fault of the instrument.

Plastic, wood or metal comb?
Plastic is stable, inexpensive and unaffected by moisture, making it the sensible first choice. Wood is traditional and warm sounding but can swell unless sealed. At the beginner end, airtightness matters more than the material.

How do I look after a harmonica?
Tap it out on your palm after playing and let it dry holes down rather than pocketing it wet. Avoid eating just before playing, as food particles are the usual cause of a stuck reed, and never wash a wooden combed harmonica under a tap.

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