Harmonica Blues?

Yehoshua

Oh ho ho ho. Well, I digress.

I've been playing with a couple of harmonicas (C) lately, and I've noticed something strange that is common among both harmonicas, and that is the notes that are created through drawing and blowing. When drawing on the second hole, I get a "G" on both harmonicas, when I figure I should be getting an "F." This problem does not occur with the "F" in the upper octave (hole 5.) Additionally, on holes 7-10, it is drawing that creates the lower tone (IE on hole 7 I would draw to make a B and blowing would make a C, whereas on hole 4 blowing would make a C and drawing would make a D,) though I feel this may be easily explainable with science. In any case, I am wondering if I have two bogus harmonicas or if I just misunderstand them.

Thanks to any harmonica enthusiasts here who can help me.

Threelemmings

A "C" tuned harmonica would have a 2nd draw of G, and would blow an F. I think the trouble is you're playing a blues harmonica, which is tuned to a diatonic scale. A chromatic harmonica (if I remember correctly) would give you an F when drawing on the second hole. If you want to play on a full scale, you're going to have to buy another harmonica... not that that's a bad thing

I don't know if your title implies the type of music you're playing, but having a blues harmonica doesn't impede you at all; it makes some songs much much easier. But do note the difference from diatonic and chromatic and how it applies to the music you play.

Quick little reference image for a blues tuned (diatonic) harmonica:
Disclaimer: I pulled this from wikipedia because I don't have my own own harps with me to double check, but it feels right to me.


And here is a text image of a chromatic. EDIT: The numbers didn't quite line up, but you can count so its not a big issue.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
`1 `2 `3 `4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

---

blow: |C |E |G |C |C |E |G |C |C |E |G |C |C |E |G |C | key out
draw: |d |f |a |b |d |f |a |b |d |f |a |b |d |f |a |b |

---

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
`1 `2 `3 `4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

---

blow: |C#|F |G#|C#|C#|F |G#|C#|C#|F |G#|C#|C#|F |G#|C#| key in
draw: |d#|f#|a#|c |d#|f#|a#|c |d#|f#|a#|c |d#|f#|a#|d |

---

The "key in/out" is the other main difference between the two. Diatonics are a bit simpler to play, and are what most people think of when they imagine a "harmonica." They also require a bit less thinking because they're automatically tuned. Chromatics are much more flexible, and you don't have to switch harmonicas as often to play different songs (or funky key changes within a song). In fact, the nicer versions can play any key at all. But it takes a bit more work, because with a diatonic all the notes you play are automatically within the scale already, so you don't have to worry about being out of key.

Hope this helps!

Zonkytonkman

Yah, on the lower notes, draw is lower than blow, and that switches on hole 7. Maybe draw is higher than blow. Something like that.

Also, on the draw notes (especially the low ones) you can alter the note by a few semitones by learning to bend. It's basically a tongue exerceise that flattens (or sharpens? I can't remember) the note by one half tone for each "step" that you bend it. Hole two draw can be flattened by a half, whole, and 1.5 tones, so it gives you a much broader range of notest that you can play. You also get a muted kind of sound that is iconic for the harp blues.

harmonicalessons.com is a great resource.