Harmonica is a Free-Reed Wind Instrument, a mouth organ which is known also as French Harp. It is used in various musical genres like Classical Music, Jazz, American Folk, Rock, Country etc.
Harmonicas are of different types like Diatonic, Chromatic, Tremolo, Octave, Orchestral, Bass etc. Playing a Harmonica is using the lips and tongue by directing air into and/or out of the holes along a mouthpiece. The number of holes vary between the different types. A Chromatic type has 16 holes whereas a Diatonic type of Harmonica has 10 holes.
The basic parts of a Harmonica are the Comb, Reed Plates and Cover Plates where Comb is the main body of the instrument. When assembled with the Reed Plates, the Comb becomes an air chamber for the reeds. Cover Plates cover the Reed Plates and are usually made of metal. There is a Mouthpiece placed between the air chambers of Harmonica and the player’s mouth.
Working of a Harmonica
Air passes through a chamber behind each hole which contain at least one reed. The reed of the Harmonica is a flat, elongated spring. Reeds are typically made of brass, stainless steel or bronze. The reeds are secured at one end over a slot which serves as an airway.
Reeds vibrate when the player plays the Harmonica and produces sound by blocking and unblocking the airway. Reeds are tuned to individual pitches. It is achieved by changing the length of the reed and the weight near its free end or the stiffness near its fixed end.
Let us watch a video on basic Harmonica Lesson
