Harmonicas
HarmonicasThe origin and history of the harmonica have not yet been fully clarified. Only one thing is sure, in the first half of the 19th century harmonicas were built in Germany, but the worldwide triumphal procession of this small and affordable instrument begann in the year 1857. It was then that Matthias Hohner started producing harmonicas. His instruments won medals and prizes in 1871 and 1873 and in 1876 at the World Exhibiton in Philadelphia. By 1887 Hohner was producing approx. one million harmonicas per year. The different constructions fit in to nearly every music - beginning with folk music and hiking songs, over rhythm and blues all the way up to jazz and rock& roll. Virtuosos like Stevie Wonder, Larry Adler, Jean "Toots" Tielmann or Franz Chmel, who even played classic music on the harmonica, have prooved that there is nothing a harmonica can´t play!
Construction Types
- The Richter-models were named after their inventor. They have a diatonic scale and therefore are available in every key, but mainlöy used in folk, country, shanty and blues compositions.
- The Vienna octave models, the so called "double kanzels" also have a diatonic scale and are partially available in different keys. The upper and lower voice plates have the same keys, but with one octave difference. They are played in folksy and shanty music.
- The tremelo models are also two-scaled with a diatonic tune. They are available in different keys, yet the upper and lower voice plates have the same octave. As both tunes played at the same time are slightly "out-of-tun", a silvery, floating tune is created. They are used in folksy and shanty music, too.
- Chromatic models can be recognised by their pusher. These models enable continuous tones like on the piano. If you have a c-harmonica you can play any key. As the special play technique is quite difficult, there are also models with different keys. These models are used as melody-makers of all kind, especially in classic, jazz, beat and shanty music; seldom in blues.
- Orchestral harmonicas are usually played in ensembles. They are either pure bass instruments or pure chordal instruments. Together with a melody-instrument like the chromatic harmonica you have a complete harmonica band.
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