Different Types of Harmonicas | Harmonica 101

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The harmonica is used in nearly every type of music, from blues and jazz to country and rock. In this video, music teacher Marcus Milius teaches you about the different types of harmonicas.

"Hi, my name is Marcus Milius. I play harmonica. I got a degree at the University of Southern California, a Bachelor's of Music, in Jazz Studies - Chromatic Harmonica. I play and teach harmonica here in New York City, and I'm happy to show you what I do.

One thing that is very confusing about harmonica is that there are so many different kinds. Often times this is just the difference in names, in models, or brands. For instance, the blues harp the marine pan, the special twenty, the golden melody which are all diatonic harmonicas by the Horner company and they are really all very similar. But the main differences in harmonica will be primarily the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. There are many others as well as base harmonica, chord harmonica, echo harmonica, or tremolo harmonica. And they all have different sounds, but primarily it divides into diatonic and chromatic harmonica. Chromatic harmonica looks like this. It plays in all keys, and sounds a bit like the artists Stevie Wonder or twist talemen. Diatonic harmonicas will be set up in one key and you'll need twelve of them to play in every key and they tend to have a bluesier folkier sound, or a bluesy sound. And you'll notice that they bend very nicely, and they have really nice double stops or chords. The other harmonicas that are out there would be the base harmonica, chord harmonicas which are really big, there are also diatonic harmonicas that are tuned to minor, or other scales. There are diatonic harmonicas that have a very organ like sound and they're called echo harps or tremolo harps. So, that takes a lot of investigating to know the difference. But usually most people are going to be playing the majority of recordings that you hear will be chromatic harmonica and diatonic harmonica and they're pretty easy to hear the difference between.
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[somedandy]

So I was blowing into my diotonic harmonica, thinking "What gives? I can't play several of these notes at all!"
Then I heard him saying something about breathing in, and sure enough, when I inhaled I realized the hole played a completely different note.
Achievement unlocked! Now I'm at harmonica level 2.

[adamcerrillo]

Why why why why why why?!?!? Do you allow the music track to play while the harmonica is playing? Don't you understand how bad that is to the ear?

[Gorgmeister]

The background music in this video is annoying because it's a video about a music instrument. We all came here to hear the instrument, not the background music.

[kapitansino]

I got a tremolo before knowing there are other kinds

[craigmitchell]

Cheers for the video m8.
I'm a piano player who recently hasnt been able to play much at all dew to problems in hands arms and neck.
I just purchased both a diatonic and chromatic harmonica thanks to this video (: I will be able to express myself and explore music once again without the need of my fingers (:

Edit/p.s I love toots theilman! the first time i ever heard a harmonica being played in the jazz context was a recording of him and bill evans playing together

[maxawesom]

it makes me uncomfortable when he looks me in the eye and plays

[camilleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

1:44 the way he i came here for the different types of harmonica, not a relationship

[sairamr]

My harmonica is locked in Cmajor. Seems like my grandpa played in Cmajor all the time that's why it sounded so happy and pleasant. I play a lot of blues and rock involving the minor blues and

[englishdept.uchana]

Thank you teacher. I got my answer here, I was unable to decide which one to buy. Now I know what a general harmonica is needed.. 🥰

[emtheethota]

Q: What are the different types of harmonicas? A: Well, there are some different types and they are in different keys. This video doesn't really contain information.

[dwarjones]

old west harmonicas I want one of them or a harmonica from that time period

[practicingshowme]

I am just start to learn the tremolo harmonica, thanks for share

[samljer]

dayum, was looking to buy one for giggles, but shiet... 12 just to cover each octive.

[moncorp]

Bass harmonica used at the beginning of Sanford and Son theme song.

[The_Legion_of_Fire_Ants]

Been looking into learning myself, great info on the different types of harmonica, thanks for bonnie Scotland :D

[WayAhmhm]

chromatics can be played in any key once you know the patterns of #s and bs. they can come in different keys. and they can range from 8 to 16 holes.

[pedrodemattia]

Tremolo harmonica! I had a difficult time trying to figure it out too

[kilometer]

Yeah I learned this my own. I put my headset then imitate the tune. I learned it fast. I can identify which best composed music, which one is easy, which one has intelligent composer and which one is very good and bad composer. Sharp notes in the guitar chords are the most difficult in harmonica. I play the key of c, d and g. Idk more about the rules of this instrument but I do easily follow a tune from karaoke songs. Its great and very handy music in the pocket wherever you go you can play music that you want or follow music being played on tv or radio

[shantanusudame]

Thanks a Ton!!!

You are Awesome Buddy!!

[shockrock]

THANK'S MY BROTHER NICE VID RIGHT TO THE POINT, NOW I NO WHAT TO BUY THANK'S TO U.