HOHNER Harmonica

The HOHNER harmonica is known all over the world. Their lineup is incredibly huge; a musical instrument from the harmonica family is used for performance in folk music or in the blues. Harmonicas are intended for both adult musicians and young performers.

The earliest and most popular harmonica manufacturer is the HOHNER Company, which began producing harmonica back in 1857. At first glance, the musical instrument is very simple and does not differ in large dimensions. Let's list its constituent parts.

• Frame. It can be made of plastic or wood. It is noted that the sound of a wooden harmonica is better, but plastic wins in terms of durability, unlike wood, it is not afraid of moisture and does not require special storage conditions.
• Voice plates with reeds. The tongues are also divided into 2 types - copper and steel. The sound of the instrument depends entirely on them. Copper ones are distinguished by ease of "blowing", steel ones are designed for professional play.
• Lid. A structural element that covers the voice plates.

All known harmonica models can be divided into 5 categories:

• diatonic - refer to solo, capable of producing sounds of a major scale, the range is from 1 to 4 octaves;
• chromatic - there are valves and without, their sound depends on it;
• tremolo - this kind of harmonics gives a sound that is comparable to an accordion in the "pour" technique;
• octave - differ in structure, each tongue is located in separate chambers;
• for children - a simplified form of the instrument, intended for younger performers;
• orchestral;
• historical;
• reduced.

The lineup for adult performers is extensive. German manufacturers have created several series, each of which has its own unique structure and sound. Let's take a closer look at the HOHNER harmonica series.

The production of this series is automated. The accordions are intended for novice musicians, their cost is low, the sound is distinguished by sonorous shades. The base is made of plastic, the instrument is designed for jazz and folk compositions.

This series includes models - Silver Star (one of the most popular), Blues Band and Blues Bender (instruments for beginners and blues lovers), Pocket Pal (small travel instrument, released in 2015), Hot Metal (model made of plastic , ideal for both solo performance and ensemble with an instrumental group for rock and heavy metal).

Harmonics of medium and high class. Their difference from others is that the main parts are performed automatically, and further assembly is carried out manually. Popular models - Big River Harp (inexpensive option, plastic base, for beginners), Blues Harp (modular build, for blues tracks), Pro Harp (stylish harmonica with a plastic matte body, ideal for all types of rock), Meisterklasse (powerful open sound , the appearance of the instrument is impeccable - the body is made of aluminum, the covers are chrome-plated, the plates are made of nickel-plated copper, the tongues are made of brass with nickel plating), JJ Milteau (the harmonica is named after the virtuoso performer J.J. Milto, surround sound).

Hand-assembled, professional series. Models - Golden Melody (the curved shape gives the sound special versatility), Special 20 (the manufacturer's first harmonica in a plastic case, the sound is suitable for folk compositions), Rocket (the case is made of reliable plastic, the edges of the ridge are rounded for comfort, model of 2015).

The most legendary series, the first models of which were first produced in 1896, wood was used as the material for the instrument. Performed manually. Their popularity is due to the fact that models from this series are used by famous musical performers. Lineup - Marine Band (pear body lacquered for durability, blues instrument), Band Deluxe (powerful and spacious sound), Band Crossover (bamboo body with water-repellent impregnation), Band Thunderbird (for playing tunes at low tuning).

HOHNER has been participating in music education programs for many years. For young children, in order to teach the basics of music for further playing on professional instruments, a special children's series was released. It is also intended for those who have only recently decided to learn how to play the harmonica, regardless of age.

Children's harmonica has several series.

• Happy - Diatonic accordion with Richter tuning, the number of holes - 10 with 20 copper tongues, the body is made of plastic, the key is "C".

• Melody star - Diatonic harmonica with Richter tuning, 8 holes with 16 copper reeds, solo tuning allows you to get incredible sounds, ideal for further transition to the chromatic harmonica.

• Traveler has 10 holes and 20 copper tongues. Equipped with a drawstring and a comfortable denim cover, suitable for travel. The body is made of plastic, the cover is steel.

Musical harmonica made by the German company HOHNER are known all over the world. Every year the model range is expanding, and the tools themselves are being improved. Their cost varies depending on the characteristics, on average, the price is 1000-1200 rubles, children's tools - 500-600 rubles. Learning to play the harmonica is absolutely not difficult, just watch a video course on the Internet. The harmonica is ideal for performing folk tunes, blues and melodic compositions.