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However, diatonic harmonicas are frequently believed to be easier to learn how to play. If you truly love the sound provided by the chromatic harmonicas, you will do well with that as an instrument of choice. Which Type of Harmonica Is Best for Beginners?īoth the chromatic and diatonic harmonicas are used by beginners. In contrast, a chromatic harmonica typically has between 12 and 16 holes. Typically, a diatonic harmonically only has 10 holes. Since chromatic harmonicas contain more notes, they also have more holes. One note is made when you exhale, and another note is made when you inhale. This harmonica player always played a chromatic harmonica.Įxamples of famous chromatic harmonica players include:Įvery hole on both a chromatic harmonica and a diatonic harmonica produces two separate notes.
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If you have ever hummed the theme to “Sesame Street,” you have hummed a melody that was originally played on a chromatic harmonica.Īdditionally, during the middle of the twentieth century, there were many “harmonica bands” that frequently featured a lead harmonica player. These types of music typically require more than 7 notes.
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In addition to jazz, the chromatic harmonica is most closely associated with pop and classical music. Types of Musicians Associated With Chromatic Harmonicas This is done in a technique known as “overblowing.” This results in the harmonica producing a higher pitch than was intended. However, musicians are able to use the chromatic harmonica to play a variety of complex jazz sounds, particularly those that are able to imitate a saxophone. This means that if you are looking at the best chromatic harmonicas found at, you will probably not be playing the blues. This style of playing allows you a greater range of notes than you can achieve on a diatonic harmonica.īut there is one major important difference: you cannot “bend” notes on a chromatic harmonica. By pressing the button, you are able to play the half notes in between the major ones. The following performers are among the musicians who chose to use the diatonic harmonica:Ĭhromatic harmonicas include buttos on the side of the instrument which are used to play the normal scale. Since the diatonic harmonic is so well-suited to play multiple forms of music, it should come as no surprise that it is an instrument enjoyed by many famous musicians. A chromatic harmonica’s notes are unable to be manipulated by bending, which is why many artists in jazz and blues choose the diatonic harmonica instead.įamous Musicians Who Play the Diatonic Harmonica These “bending” sounds are incredibly popular in certain forms of music, such as jazz or the blues. On a diatonic harmonica, inhale bends and blow bends are both used. This technique increases the number of sounds that are able to come out of a simple 10 note harmonica. “Bending” refers to using your tongue, throat, and palate in order to lower the pitch of a note. The diatonic harmonica is known for its ability to allow you to “bend” the notes. The diatonic harmonica is the most commonly played harmonica. The sequence is similar to the do-re-me notes that many musicians use to warm up their vocals or instruments. In contrast, a diatonic harmonica features seven notes separated by a combination of five whole steps followed by two half steps. Chromatic harmonicas feature 12 notes, which are all evenly spaced with a half step between them. One of the primary ways that a chromatic and diatonic harmonica differ is in their notes number. Although there are many different types of harmonicas, the two primary introductory types that people use are the chromatic harmonica and the diatonic harmonica. Whether you are looking for an introductory gift for a child, or you are looking for a way to play your favorite blues songs, the harmonica allows you a simple outlet for musical expression. When it comes to picking a versatile beginner instrument, few instruments will prove to be a better choice than a harmonica.