Stagg Blues Harmonica E

The build quality and tone of these harmonics is far superior to the usual entry-level harps available for around a fiver! The diatonic harmonica is most likely what you think of when you think of a “harmonica.” It has ten holes which offer the player 19 notes (10 holes times a draw and a blow for each hole minus one repeated note) in a three octave range. The standard diatonic harmonica is designed to allow a player to play chords and melody in a single key. Because they are only designed to be played in a single key at a time, diatonic harmonicas are available in all keys. In addition to the 19 notes readily available on the harmonica, players can play other notes by adjusting their blowing technique and forcing the reed to resonate at a different pitch. One does this by relaxing and coordinating muscles in the throat, mouth, and lips. This technique is called “bending”, a term borrowed from guitarists, who literally “bend” a string in order to create subtle changes in pitch. Using bending, a player can reach all the notes on the major scale. “Bending” also creates the characteristic sound of blues harp and country harmonica playing. Bends are essential for most blues and rock harmonica due to the soulful sounds the instrument can bring out. The famous ‘wail’ of the blues harp typically required bending. Other advanced techniques include “over-playing” and “cross-harp” or 2nd position playing, both important skills for blues harmonica. This Harmonica features a 0.9mm Copper Reed Plate – This Harmonica comes in a plastic hard case to protect your instrument when not in use.