Download Ask Hohner`s Harmonica Tech

Ask Hohner’s Harmonica Tech
ANNELISSE “SISSI” JONES
With the variety of harmonica models the question often arises:
“How is each one tuned? Is it ‘Just’ or ‘Equal’ temperament?”
A tuning is defined as the note layout on the instrument.
A temperament is the fine adjustment of the tuning. With
harmonicas it is usually “Equal,” “Just” or “Modified Just.”
This makes these models suitable for all styles of music —
Blues, Folk, Rock and Country — and for playing in “Straight
Harp” or “Cross Harp” positions.
DIATONICS
The Golden Melody, first produced in the mid 1970s, is the
exception in the group of 10-hole single reed models. It is
tuned to “Equal Temperament.” All notes match the notes
on a piano. According to its name, it was designed for
melody playing.
Diatonic harmonicas have reeds tuned to the natural notes of
the scale on a given harmonica.
Hohner uses these three types of Temperament for 10-hole
diatonic models to offer the player a variety of tonal selections
to suit any style of music.
CHROMATICS
10-HOLE DIATONIC, KEY OF C MAJOR
This applies to double reed models such as Tremolo and
Octave tuned as well as to single reed models such as the
Marine Band type. These harmonicas were originally
designed to play melody notes along with chord accompaniment. This is called “Richter Tuning,” attributed to Mr.
Richter who established this type of note layout. In this
layout, there is a central melody scale and lower notes tuned
to the major chord on blow and draw. Such harmonicas were
tuned to “Just Intonation” for a more pleasing, pure chord,
where notes are more harmonically in tune with each other
and the chords sound clean. The application of single reed
diatonics such as the Marine Band type has changed over
time, from the “melody and chord” playing style in the Old
Country to Blues and Rock in America, out of which many
other musical styles have evolved. The versatility of the
harmonica is appreciated in just about every genre of music.
Hohner uses three different types of Temperament for
10-hole single reed models.
The Marine Band and Special 20 employ a tuning which is
close to “Just Temperament.” Blow notes in holes 2, 5 and 8
are tuned slightly flat and raised in holes 3, 6, 9. Draw notes
3, 5, 7, and 9 are flat and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are sharp to
varying degrees. This tuning is great for the traditional blues
style using both chords and melody. Since the 1980s it has
become slightly modified from the original “Just
Temperament” to blend better with instruments of “Equal
Temperament” tunings used in most modern settings.
MS Models such as the Blues Harp are tuned even closer to
“Equal Temperament.” The one difference is the tuning of
holes 5 and 9 draw. These are flatted on the Marine Band
but are sharp on the MS Models to bring the melody closer to
“Equal” and to improve the intervals between 5 and 6 draw
and 9 and 10 draw.
Chromatics are basically two diatonic harmonicas tuned half
a step apart and put together as one. With the assistance of
a slide they produce all the notes of the scale, natural as
well as sharps or flats. They are Solo tuned, meaning one
complete octave to every 4 holes. To allow for the same
breath exchange in every octave, the tonic notes are repeated
in holes 4 and 5 and 8 and 9 blow.
12-HOLE CHROMATIC, KEY OF C
BLOW = LARGE LETTERS / DRAW = SMALL LETTERS
These instruments were designed for solo melody playing and
are tuned to “Equal Temperament.” “Equal Temperament” is
the fine tuning system most commonly used by other instruments. This allows for the harmonica to be in tune no matter
which key it is played in. Even though the Chromatic is tuned
to “Equal Temperament” one can play chords where they
are possible and sound nice. Exceptions in the chromatic
category are the Koch #980 model and the Slide Harp.
These models are “Just Temperament” like the Marine Band.
Just some interesting facts about harmonicas
to ponder…’till next time.
Harmonically Yours,
Sissi Jones
To submit questions for future articles, please contact Sissi Jones at [email protected]