What is the most versatile harmonica key?

In other analyses of popular music keys (albeit usually with much smaller datasets) C major has been shown to be the most widely used key by a significant margin. G major has usually been a distant second – often around half as frequently used as C major.

Is there a harmonica that plays all keys?

While the chromatic harmonica is capable of playing in all keys, it does have limitations. For example, while chromatic harmonicas can “bend” notes down in pitch, as a single-reed bend it sounds quite different from the typical dual-reed bend of a blues harp, and can only bend downward by a semi-tone.

What key harmonica is Little Walter?

Hohner Marine Band
In terms of harps themselves, Little Walter’s primary diatonic was a Hohner Marine Band. A modern 1896 Classic Marine Band is extremely close in construction and sound to those used by Walter in the 1950s, even down to the unsealed comb and nailed construction.

What key of harmonica should I get to play with guitar?

The guitar’s natural key is E; so buying a diatonic harmonica in the key of E major would be ideal. The other diatonic harmonicas you should aim to add to your collection is G major and C major.

What key chromatic harmonica should I buy?

C
Chromatic harmonicas include 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 holes. The 12-hole chromatic is suitable for any of the 12 western scale keys, however, C is the most favored pro. A 12-key chromatic harmonica in the C key is also the most suggested for those who are looking for their first chromatic.

What key are most harmonica songs in?

C is the best key to get started because the length of the reeds is average and it’s also the most common key in music. Out of all 12 keys a harmonica in G has the longer reeds and a harmonica in F# has the shortest reeds, C is right in the middle for reed length.

What is C key harmonica?

On a C harmonica, the lowest note is a C note (hole 1 blow). The C note is the central pitch, the natural tonic. Therefore, this harmonica can be said to be tuned in C Major. There can also be other ways to determine the key of harmonica.

What harmonica did James Cotton use?

Seydel 1847 harmonicas
Primarily a diatonic harp player, Cotton tended to use various types of Seydel 1847 harmonicas, including the 1847 Silver, which can be heard on many of his live recordings.

Who played harmonica with Muddy Waters?

Paul Oscher was 20 when he started playing harmonica with Muddy Waters. It was 1967, and he was a rare sight for the times: a white man playing in a Black blues band of such prominence. He more than held his end up for Mr.

What does first position mean on harmonica?

1st position (Straight Harp) 1st position just means playing in the key that the harmonica comes in. So, if you have an A harmonica you will be playing in the key of A. The root note will be the 1 blow, 4 blow, 7 blow and 10 blow.

What is a good blues harmonica?

7 Best Blues Harmonicas in 2021

• Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica.
• Lee Oskar Harmonica.
• Hohner 1501BX Blues Band, Harmonica.
• Hohner 532BX-C Blues Harp.
• I-MART Diatonic 10 Hole Key of C Blues Harmonica.
• NEUMA Harmonica.
• Eastar Major Blues Harmonica.

What is the best key to play the harmonica in?

In second position (“cross harp” or “draw harp”), this plays in the key of E, which is a very common key for blues. If I would have to recommend an order for blues, I’d go C (because most tutorials assume you have a C harmonica), then A, then G, D, Bb, F.

What is 2nd position on a harmonica?

To play in a key up a fifth, such as using a C harmonica to play in G, is known as “second position” and is so common among blues players that it is also called, “blues harp,” and some harmonica manufacturers (Lee Oskar) even sell certain models labelled not with the actual key but with the 2nd position key.

What type of harp should I use to play in C?

You would use a C harp to play in C. If you want more “expression” for playing Blues, Rock, Country and Pop music, you will probably be playing in 2nd Position. This means you would start from the draw, accenting draw notes and draw chords, and bending. You would use a C harp to play in G.

What are the different types of harmonic harmonicas?

Ten-hole diatonic harmonicas are the ones most commonly used in neck racks. They offer a limited number of notes in a specific key, although they can be used in related keys as well. The Hohner Marine Band harmonica was the benchmark for many years and continues to be a popular choice, but there are other viable options.