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Working in Association with Hohner Building the Finest Harmonicas in The World
How to Care for your Harmonica ?
Oral hygiene Oral hygiene is vitally important before playing any mouth blown musical instrument. Brushing ones teeth and using a sugarfree mouthwash, such as Listerine, will ensure that no food particles or sticky saliva deposits are introduced into the harmonica.
* It cannot be over emphasized how important this simple step is
Harmonica Temperature One should not blow into a cold harmonica. This causes a good deal of condensation resulting in problems with the delicate
valves. The instrument should be warmed for five minutes or so in a trouser pocket for instance to reduce initial condensation
buildup. Failure to do this may well result in a popping or buzzing sound before the reed speaks. After playing, let the
harmonica dry out naturally, away from direct heat, before returning it to it’s case.
Cleaning the Harmonica Do not wash or run water into any harmonica for whatever reason, this will result in severe damage to your harmonica. To
remove tarnish, oxidation and discolouration of metal cover plates and mouthpiece use a good quality cutlery cleaner. Apply
the compound sparingly and then buff to a super shiny finish.
* Do Not Rinse with Water
Advice For The novice player
Harmonica Basics Difficulties producing clear and proper sounding notes especially on the lower draw notes, particularly hole 2 & 3 on all types of
harmonica, and holes 11 & 12 both blow and draw on chromatic harmonicas are the most common problems beginners to the
harmonica encounter. These new players tend to make the notes sound muffled, dull and flat. It is extremely unlikely that there is
a fault with the harmonica and there is nothing that can be done to make the harmonica easier to play.
Please bear in mind that you would not expect to produce a pure note the first time you played a clarinet or flute. The harmonica
is an instrument which requires the same respect in learning as any other musical instrument. It is not simply a case of blowing
and drawing, however hard or soft, and then expecting to produce a clear sound. Each hole of the harmonica demands different
lip, mouth and tongue positions, with a controlled - never forced - blow or draw of breath from the diaphragm.
Treat the harmonica with respect and practice seriously - you will become proficient - but you must work hard to achieve this.
If you are still struggling after a few weeks of practice please telephone Antony on the workshop numbers and he can talk you
through some of the tips and techniques of harmonica playing.
* Please have your harmonica ready and at hand
For more information please visit www.antonydannecker.com or email enquiries@antonydannecker.com
Antony Dannecker Professional Harmonica Craftsman - Building the Finest Harmonicas in the World in Association with HOHNER
diatonic blues harmonicas tuning information
some of the more popular tuning variations possible on any
ten hole diatonic blues harmonica
Major The most common tuning for diatonic harmonicas and blues players.
Country Tuning Ideal for playing in cross position providing the major seventh scale - perfect for country music. Draw reed number 5 raised a
semitone.
Country Tuning (aka McCoy) Ideal for playing in cross position providing the major seventh scale - perfect for country and Irish folk music. Draw reed number
5 raised a semitone & 3 blow raised a tone.
Melody Maker Ideal for playing cross position providing an extended range for single note melodies as you have the complete major scale.
Offers an extremely versatile harp when played in cross position which can be used for jazz, country, folk and many more styles.
Blow reed number 3 raised a tone. Draw reeds 5 and 9 raised a semitone.
Natural Minor Again, this tuning is designed to be played in cross position and provides the player with that soulful bluesy sound. Can be used
for many different styles of playing. Blow reeds 2, 5 and 8 lowered a semitone. Draw reeds 3 and 7 lowered a semitone.
Harmonic Minor Used mainly in the ethnic music of Eastern Europe, Asia and Yiddish styles. Blow reeds 2, 5 and 8 lowered a semitone. Draw
reeds 6 and 10 lowered a semitone.
Paddy Richter Makes melodies easier in the low octave. Used mainly in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions. Ideal for Irish folk music and other fast
melodies. Blow reed 3 raised a tone.
Canned Heat A tuning adjustment is made specifically for the Canned Heat track 'On the Road Again'. Harps in key A major intonated tuning
only (to be played in cross position). Reed draw 6 is raised a semi-tone from F#-G.
For more information please visit www.antonydannecker.com or email enquiries@antonydannecker.com
Antony Dannecker Professional Harmonica Craftsman - Building the Finest Harmonicas in the World in Association with HOHNER
diatonic blues harmonicas tuning information
Intonated Tuning A442 hertz with certain reeds tuned slightly flatter to achieve pure and sweet sounding chords with no harsh sounding vibrato.
This is always the first choice of tuning for the majority of diatonic players regardless of style.
Straight Tuning Every single reed is tuned at the same pitch - sacrificing pure sounding chords but retaining pure octaves. All reeds are tuned to
the optimum A442 Hertz. (Only choose this tuning if single note melodies are played).
Alternate Tunings Antony is always happy to hear from players who require bespoke tunings. It is often the case that quite elaborate tuning
configurations can be achieved at a very modest cost. The tuning modifications requiring pitch changes to one or two reeds often
incur no extra charge.
For more information please visit www.antonydannecker.com or email enquiries@antonydannecker.com
Antony Dannecker Professional Harmonica Craftsman - Building the Finest Harmonicas in the World in Association with HOHNER