Eleuke
M. Gerarda
Waikiki
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This page is a resource for sales staff working in the Musical Instruments Retail sector - it is not intended to be an encyclopaedia entry. Beware, this and many other pages may contain jokes and wry comments (like this one).
This type of harmonica typically has 10 holes and twenty reeds. The player can both blow into and draw back the breath through each hole. There is a reed which is activated by blowing and another which is activated by drawing for each hole.
When people refer to a harmonica, "harp" or "blues harp", this is usually the type they mean.
Tuned to play chords and melody in a single musical key.
Most often curved in shape, this type of diatonic (single key) harmonica has a pair of reeds tuned an ocatave apart for both blow and draw holes. This gives a very rich sound. They also have a horizontal divider in the comb. Available in a variety of keys and sizes, including some double harmonicas in related keys (e.g. C & G).
Each note has two reeds tuned very slighlty apart so that they add a wavering effect to the sound. These are diatonic harmonicas like the blues and octave models and are available in various sizes and keys, including double models and the "Kreuzwender" which has six harmonicas on a rotatable frame.
Bass Harmonicas, Chord Harmonica, Vineta, Chromatica. For use in large harmonica ensembles and for special effects. The bass harmonica can be heard on The Beatles' "The Fool on the Hill" and the theme for the TV show "Green Acres".
From time to time, Hohner release new versions of some of their classic designs from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries as collectors' items. These are not only strictly limited editions in presentation boxes, but also great playing musical instruments.