| There are several different types of harmincas that | | | | scale. Each note has it's own scale. In order to make |
| you will run across when choosing a harmonica. The | | | | the scale sound correct to our ears, some of the |
| most common are diatonic harmonicas and chromatic | | | | pitches have to be raised by a sharp or a flat. So, |
| harmonicas. Between the two, the diatonic harmonica | | | | the scale for A is: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A. When |
| is the one you're probably most familiar with. This | | | | these notes are played in sequence, one after |
| harmonica, or harp, is known as the blues harp and is | | | | another, you're hearing the correct A Major Scale. |
| the first type of harmonica most players will | | | | The diatonic harp gets it's name from the fact that |
| purchase. | | | | each key harmonica that you have only has notes |
| If you don't know anything about music, you'll need | | | | from the scale for that key. So, for the C harmonica, |
| some basic information to understand what this | | | | the notes on the harp are C, D, E, F, G, A and B. For |
| article will tell you. In basic, there's a musical scale, | | | | A, it would be A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, etc. So, for |
| with note pitches assigned names. The pitch names | | | | each key you have a different harmonica. The |
| are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. When you reach G, the | | | | reason there are multiple keys for these harmonicas |
| next note is an A and the scale repeats. This is | | | | is the note selection cannot be changed once the |
| because of the structure of sound. Pitches, or notes, | | | | harmonica has been made. Other instruments, such |
| are actually representations that we've chosen for | | | | as the guitar or piano, can change keys at will, and |
| the frequency that the pitch vibrates at. This is | | | | the harp player needs to be able to play in the |
| getting a little out of context of the article, but just | | | | correct key with the rest of the band. |
| understand that every time the frequency doubles, | | | | Beginners usually start with a C harp. This is because |
| the scale starts over. That's why we have the scale. | | | | most of the instructional material you will find is in the |
| In addition to the notes A, B, C, D, E, F and G, the | | | | key of C, and also because once you've mastered |
| natural notes, we also have what is called accidental | | | | bending notes, it's possible to play a wider range of |
| notes. They're denoted by the sharp (#) or flat (b) | | | | notes with this harmonica. You can begin to buy |
| sign in musical notation. These notes are half way | | | | other harmonicas once you've gotten the C, but you'll |
| between any of the given natural notes. They're | | | | want that one first, as you'll learn faster and be able |
| notated by adding the sharp or flat sign after the | | | | to do more with a C diatonic harmonica. Hohner |
| note name - e.g. A#, B#, C#, etc. If you play notes | | | | harmonicas are some of the most popular and you |
| in sequence in the order that I've presented above | | | | can start by looking at what they have to offer. |
| (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), you're playing what's called a | | | | |