Should I look into Harmonica Types...?

Question

Ok, I'm kinda trying my hardest to learn harmonica, till I've discovered that there are many different kinds.

The kind of harmonica I was trying to use was a (presumably basic) Tobar Metal Harmonica, which I was given one christmas some years ago and never used it much, until I recently tried my hardest to learn it properly, but never got the hang of it. Though I'm not an expert at harmonica anatomy (but never had anyway, since I think the harmonica I used never had instructions), I reckoned either the air-holes felt kinda small to play single notes or the difficulty it is to do whatever it is to give a blues kind of sound. I think inhaling, from which I discovered myself, is a difficulty as well.

Is this normal? Am I using the right kind of Harmonica to start with, or should I try something that suits my needs? Any better suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi Wing

The diatonic harmonica is what they use mostly for blues etc... To get to blow one note requires the use of the tongue to block other notes so that only one note will play.

Then you have the chromatic harmonicas which has 4 notes per hole but contains the complete scale notes like a piano.

As far as I am concerned, the Blues harp made by Hohner is widely used. It comes in different keys.

As for the air holes, all the harmonicas are built the same way.