More About Playing the Harmonica
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With the harmonica, there is no fingering to learn, in fact you do not even need to use individual fingers to play the notes. The lower notes are to the left and (as on a piano keyboard) they change to gradually higher in pitch as you use the ones on the right. Just hold the instrument and move it across your mouth so as to reach higher or lower notes in line. Blowing or sucking (we actually use the word "draw" instead of suck!) will get different notes from the same location. You will hear recognisable snatches of tune while just casually experimenting on your harmonica, so it is very easy to play, even without following a course of instruction or without being able to read music. There is even a special way to read the notes just from the numbers marked on the holes of the harp
Chromatic instruments of course cost a lot more than blues harps or diatonics although they are much more versatile. Let us look at the practical playing differences affecting playing them for the beginner harmonica player.
With a diatonic you choose the key you want to play in (you can always buy separate instruments for other keys as the need arises. Although there are limitations as to the notes a blues harp can play, this in itself has helped to create a popular recognisable style which has contributed to many of your favourite popular rock, pop and blues records You may even find you can produce some extra notes, not in the main list of those available by a subtle techinique known as "bending" the notes. So blues harps (or diatonic harmonicas
which are the same thing) are ideal for the beginner but also offer
intriguing extra possibilities to keep you interested.
With a chromatic you can play virtually any type of music, as was demonstrated to an amazing degree many years ago by the virtuosos Larry Adler and Tommy Reilly. The normal notes of the chromatic are simply like the white keys of the piano but pressing a lever changes the note up to the sounds of the black keys, so sharps and flats (notes which belong to other musical keys than the instrument is tuned in) are then played.Thus you can play in any key, including playing longer pieces which may actually change key during the course of the tune.They are not suitable for note-bending effects such as you can get on the diatonics, but then, all the notes are already on them already.
This is slightly too advanced for beginner players, but we will just mention here that by alternative use of the blues harps, starting from different holes, it is possible and indeed with pro harp players even usual to play across the harp and play in keys other than the standard key. Even pro and semi-pro players however sometimes cannot remember the key of the harp they will need to play in this fashion when having to play in an unusual key so we have provided a list of harp keys to use for every key here. Beginners who do not need their heads spinning look away now!
A picture below of our real-life shop at 30/31 The Lanes, Meadowhall Centre, Sheffield, UK, S9 1EP
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Whichever you choose you can buy with confidence from us, as we are a real music shop in a popular UK shopping centre with 20 years of specialising in this easy to play but fascinating musical instrument. Remember, should we not have your instrument in stock (and in 3 out of 4 cases it will be and sent off to you by first class post within 24 hours) your credit card will not be charged until it is packed to be sent off to you. Order your harp or learning book online now (start by clicking the Order Button) or phone us on 0114 256 either to buy or for further advice. |
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Diatonic harps, also known as blues harps, are
probably the more intuitive and so easier to play. The limitations
of the instrument give you fewer chances to go wrong.
Chromatic harmonicas are probably more
likely to be chosen by someone who already has some knowledge.
