Types of HarmonicasTypes of Harmonicas
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Diatonic Harmonicas:
Single Reed - The reeds of a diatonic harmonicas are tuned to produce the natural notes of the scale without sharps or flats (i.e. the white keys on the piano). Each hole has a blow reed and a draw reed, each tuned to a different note on the scale. Most of these harmonicas have ten holes with the four middle holes providing a complete eight-note octave. The holes on either side omit certain notes in lower and upper register to permit playing chords. Other single-reed diatonic models are simple extensions of this characteristic pattern.
Tremolo Tuned - Tremolo harmonicas have double holes each containing two reeds tuned to the same note, one tuned slightly higher than the other. Both reeds are either blow or draw. When they are played, the slight difference in tuning creates a beautiful, vibrating or tremolo effect.
Octave Tuned - Octave tuned harmonicas are similar to the tremolos in reed layout and musical range. The difference is that each double hole, instead of having reeds tuned to the same note, has one reed an octave apart from the other. The resulting sound is stronger and more full bodied, but without the tremolo effect. The full Concert models have four reeds in each double hole; a pair of the octave-tuned blow reeds and a pair of octave-tuned draw reeds with each pair tuned to a different note in the scale.
Chromatic Harmonicas:
Chromatic - Chromatic harmonicas provide complete twelve-note octaves with all the sharps and flats (i.e. black and white keys on the piano). Each single hole contains four reeds; a blow reed and a draw reed for two natural notes, and a blow reed and a draw reed for two chromatic (sharp or flat) notes. The reeds for the chromatic notes are brought into operation by pushing a slide button on the side of the harmonica; closing off the air flow to one set of reeds and directing it to the other pair of reeds. Solo tuned chromatics means each group of four single holes covers a complete octave.
Accompaniment Orchestral - This group of chromatic instruments forms the background of every harmonica band. They are designed for accompaniment and special effects. Some are all blow and some are both blow and draw. Still others are arranged for playing chords.
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