Harmonica Lessons

Learn to play the Harmonica.

A harmonica is a woodwind instrument - ie when someone blows into the reeds systematically, a vibration. These vibrations are responsible for the production of sound. Every reed chamber has multiple bronze or brass reeds. However, only one end of the reed remains open while the other remains tied up. The loose reed causes both the vibration and production of sound.

When playing the harmonica, one uses three major parts: the reed plates, the cover plates and the comb. There are various types of harmonicas such as the chromatic, orchestral, bass and diatonic versions. Each reed can be tuned to produce an individual tone. The reeds vary in sizes and this determines the tone they produce. The longer reeds produce very deep or low sounds while the shorter ones produce high-pitched sounds. Depending on the type of harmonica, a person can change the note to another by drawing strong breaths of air into or out of the chamber.

The comb is the harmonica’s body which contains air chambers that conceal the reeds. The material, from which the comb is made also affects the tone produced. The strength and durability of the comb is what dictates the quality of the instrument.

Wooden combs make absorb moisture from the breath thus causing the comb to expand. When playing the harmonica one needs to be comfortable. The combs of chromatic harmonicas, which have narrow dividers between the chambers, shrink after some time due to the wooden material used to make the cover. When the comb shrinks, cracks caused by nails begin to form on it. There are modern wooden harmonicas, which have a lower degree of contracting and swelling.

The harmonica’s red plate consists of many reeds, which are in one chamber. The materials used to make them include brass, aluminium and steel. Reeds can either be welded or screwed into place. There are two types of reeds: internal and external reeds.

When playing the harmonica choose which reed you intend to use. Internal reeds respond when the harmonica is blown into, while the external reeds respond when the air is drawn out. The construction of most harmonicas involves the use of screwed reed plates.

In 1950, Finn Magnus invented plastic harmonicas, which had permanent glue used to fasten the plastic parts. Metallic cover plates conceal the reed plates. The two-cover plates types are the open traditional designs and the enclosed designs. The enclosed designs have a better tonal quality than the open traditional designs.

The materials used to make wind savers include knit paper, Teflon, plastic or leather. The reed plates hold the wind savers. Chromatic harmonicas, octave harmonicas and the chord harmonicas have wind savers. Wind savers come in handy when a couple of reeds share a chamber. When air is drawn from the harmonica, the reed slot shuts, thus preventing air leakage. The harmonica’s mouthpiece is between chambers and this allows air to pass. The mouthpiece makes playing the instrument more comfortable and easier. The traditional chromatic harmonica uses this in order to offer the slide groove support for the harmonica.

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