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Always a great experience dealing with this firm; keen prices, fast delivery and well packaged.
Richard HonourReviewed 07/11/2023Comprehensive range of harps, sent out promptly. My first point of call when looking for a new/different harp.
Dave MoffatReviewed 06/11/2023Amazing service! Emailed the company and they came straight back. Professional and I will be definitely using them again.
Chris StartupReviewed 13/10/2023Diatonic Harmonicas
The most common type of harmonica is the diatonic harmonica or Richter harmonica, named after Joseph Richter from Bohemia, a folk musician who developed this tuning system around 1825 (although this is disputed!). Diatonics have been used in almost every genre of music, from blues to rock and from reggae to jazz, and are astonishingly versatile for such a small and relatively inexpensive instrument.
Seydel 1847 Classic - Paddy Richter Tuning
£84.99
4 Keys available
The Paddy Richter is altered from the Richter tuning by raising hole 3 blow for two semi-tones which is very useful especially for playing fast in Irish and Celtic music (1st pos: the 6th note of the major scale is playable without bending, 2nd pos.: the 2nd major scale not is available in the lower register without bending).... Read more
Seydel 1847 Classic - Wilde Rock Tuning
£84.99
4 Keys available
Will Wilde Rock Harmonica Tuning SEYDEL Endorser Will Wilde is the inventor of this Special Tuning which is very well suited for "tougher" musical styles like Hardrock or Blues-Rock. Read here how this tuning was invented and why Will uses it regularely since a few years in his shows: "I designed the Wilde tuning specifically for playing hard rock and blues-rock on the harmonica. As much as I love the standard Richter tuning, I have always found it frustrating when it comes to playing “rock guitar” style licks, particularly in the upper octave. The Wilde tuning addresses all of the problems I had with Richter, whilst still retaining the bluesy feel of classic second position harmonica that we all know and love. Whereas Richter tuning was primarily designed for playing major chords and the major scale in first position, Wilde tuning is specifically designed for playing second position minor pentatonic and blues scale licks, throughout all three octaves. I have always preferred the sound of draw notes and draw bends to blow notes and blow bends, as you can get more expression and a better tone & vibrato from them. So, on the Wilde tuning ALL of the draw notes bend (from holes one to ten) and your root note lands on a draw in all three octaves. I think that the Wilde tuning is the configuration that every aspiring rock harp player has been waiting for."... Read more
Seydel 1847 Classic Harmonica
£59.99
31 Keys available
The Seydel 1847 classic harmonica was the first mass-produced Richter diatonic harmonica with stainless steel reeds. The 1847 classic is the result of Seydel's 160-year of experience in manufacturing high-quality harmonicas. This Seydel blues harp fits all the traditional demands as well as being impressively innovative. This model is the Standard Richter tuning, however if you wish to get the Paddy Richter tuning, then please contact us Full and loud, overtone-rich sound and extremely fast tone-response due to stainless steel reeds Extremely durable and even with heavy duty playing - stainless steel reeds and stainless steel rivets Less air-loss due to fine-cut reed plates - optimised flatness and extremely small tolerances between reed and reed plate Beard and lip friendly - cover plates with rounded edges without any cuts at the mouthpiece and ergonomic built hole openings and rounded dividers The overtone-rich sound can spread out undampened - covers made of extra strong stainless steel sheet (0.4mm), opened wide at the back and crimped and therefore a good stability and rounded edges moisture proof, swelling free maple comb, sealed with multiple layers of food safe finish Tuning: Standard Richter - other tunings available on request, including Paddy Richter, Wilde Rock and EDharmonica. Keys: G to F# plus low tunings About Seydel Seydel is the world's oldest extant harmonica manufacturer and has been producing harmonicas in Saxony, Germany, since the middle of the 19th century. Its speciality is stainless steel reeds, which offer exceptional durability and clarity of tone. Seydel still manufactures all of its harmonicas in Germany and its products span the whole range of harmonica types, from octave and tremolo harps, through to 10 hole diatonics and larger chromatics.... Read more
Seydel 1847 Classic Harmonica - EDharmonica Tuning
£84.99
12 Keys available
Blues Harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. EDharmonica - easy diatonic harmonica with free online courses & hundreds of tabs. The EDharmonica is produced on demand! Therefore delivery might take 2 weeks. QUICK RESULTS FOR BEGINNERS. The EDharmonica is designed in accordance with the laws of music and it’s been created specially for an easier learning and quick results. GREATER POTENTIAL FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS. The EDharmonica enables intermediate and advanced players to conveniently play in all music genres, in various keys, offers more possibilities with the blues, and is perfect for solo performances.... Read more
Seydel 1847 Lightning Harmonica
£99.49
7 Keys available
The Seydel 1847 LIGHTNING harmonica with polished stainless steel reeds - a dream for all harmonica-lovers The 1847 LIGHTNING harmonica is made without compromise: the best components available and SEYDEL’s masterly craftsmanship were used to build this harmonica lover’s dream. What makes the 1847 LIGHTNING so special? For the first time we created polished stainless steel reeds for the best responsiveness, a beautifully ballanced fat tone and a very long lifetime. The 1847 LIGHTNING is available in the seven most commonly used keys: G, A, Bb, C, D, E, and F. It comes as well in a set of seven instruments. The 1847 LIGHTNING comes with a polished solid comb made of stainless steel that gives the instrument not only extra weight (155 g / 5,5 Oz) but as well adds a very resonant component to the sound. The shiny stainless steel coverplates with the special 1847 3D-imprint and side vents are completely rounded at the front and opened wide at the back for the best sound projection towards the audience. All parts (even the rivets and screws) are made of anti-corrosive materials. The 1847 LIGHTNING is designed to be a lifetime companion and ready for any musical challenge. The 1847 LIGHTNING - sound refined to perfection ... Read more
Seydel 1847 Noble - Paddy Richter Tuning
£95.99
4 Keys available
The Paddy Richter is altered from the Richter tuning by raising hole 3 blow for two semi-tones which is very useful especially for playing fast in Irish and Celtic music (1st pos: the 6th note of the major scale is playable without bending, 2nd pos.: the 2nd major scale not is available in the lower register without bending).... Read more
Seydel 1847 Noble Harmonica
£79.49
31 Keys available
The Seydel 1847 Noble is the jewel of the 1847 blues harps collection. An instrument built without compromise; made from only the best materials available and with over 160 years of Seydel's harmonica making experience. This is the Standard Richter tuned harmonica, if you wish to get the 1847 Noble in Paddy Richter, or if we do not have the key you need, then please contact us. The Seydel 1847 Noble is part of the blues range and comes with stainless steel reeds. New cover plates; matted stainless steel covers with side-vents (openings on both sides), optimised sound projection and distribution of airflow if playing fully cupped New comb accurately milled from aluminium, anodised in black and with the Seydel logo laser-engraved on the back - superb air-tightness and improved handling due to the greater weight of the instrument New tactile oval key stickers- hard wearing and removes the danger of holding the instrument the wrong way round, even in the dark Approved corrosion-free fine-cut reed plates made of German Silver fixed with stainless steel screws - extremely close tolerances between slot and reed for best possible tone control for the player Precisely factory adjusted, pitch-stable and durable reeds and rivets both made of Stainless Steel - optimal tone response and a full sound Tuning: Standard Richter. (Paddy Richter also available on request) ... Read more
Seydel 1847 Silver - Paddy Richter Tuning
£84.99
4 Keys available
The Paddy Richter is altered from the Richter tuning by raising hole 3 blow for two semi-tones which is very useful especially for playing fast in Irish and Celtic music (1st pos: the 6th note of the major scale is playable without bending, 2nd pos.: the 2nd major scale not is available in the lower register without bending).... Read more
Seydel 1847 Silver Harmonica
£62.99
18 Keys available
The Seydel 1847 Silver harmonica is a corrosion-free Richter-diatonic harmonica with stainless steel reeds. Additional to the Standard Richter tuning model here, the 1847 Silver also comes in Paddy Richter or half-valved. The Seydel 1847 Silver harp has an impressive appearance and contains new technical features. The cover plates and reed plate screws are made of Stainless Steel Reed plates made of non-corrosive German Silver Solid plastic comb Tuning: Standard Richter (if you wish to order the Paddy Richter or half-valved please contact us) It also still has some of the well known features from the Seydel 1847 Classic: Reduced air loss due to fine cut reed plates - optimised flatness and extremely small tolerances between reed and reed plate beard and lip friendly cover plates with rounded edges without any cuts at the mouthpiece the overtone-rich sound can spread out unhindered - covers opened wide at the back and crimped and therefore a good stability and rounded edges ... Read more
Seydel 1847 Silver Harmonica - Half Valved PT Gazell
£86.99
19 Keys available
This PT-Gazell variant (half-valved) of the 1847 Silver allows you to play additional single reed bendings in 1-6 blow and 7-10 draw. This technique requires a special embouchure. It is possible to reach all chromatic scale notes without using Overblows. ... Read more
Seydel Favorite Harmonica
£58.99
18 Keys available
The Seydel Favorite can hold its own with other top end harmonicas. It has a translucent anodised aluminium comb and stainless steel covers. Part of the Seydel Blues Series. The Favorite shares some of the features of Seydel's other diatonic harmonicas: the alloy comb material of the 1847 Noble, the brass reeds of the Session and the cover plates and general design of the Session Steel. This provides it with a deep but bright sound, reminiscent of the Noble, but with the slightly more traditional tone of brass reeds. As the Favorite shares the basic design of the Session Steel, the reed plates can be changed at a later date to ones with stainless steel reeds, should this be desired. Holes: 10 Reeds: 20 Exclusive metal body Brass reeds German silver reed plates Ergonomically shaped covers – stainless steel Includes the famous Seydel leather pouch Hand Made in Klingenthal, Germany About Seydel Seydel is the world's oldest extant manufacturer of harmonicas and still produces all of its harps in Germany. Its speciality is stainless steel reeds, which combined with German silver reed plates provide a distinctive tone and offer exceptional durability and longevity. Seydel is also unique amongst the main manufacturers in its ability to offer custom tunings for a small premium. Please contact us if you wish to order a custom tuned Seydel harp.... Read more
Seydel Orchestra S Harmonica
£44.99
5 Keys available
The Seydel Orchestra S Harmonica is a 10 hole, solo-tuned diatonic Harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds (orchestra-tuning), ergonomic covers and carmine red plastic comb. As with the chromatic harmonica, all notes from the major scale are available throughout a two-and-a-half octave range. The Seydel Orchestra S Harmonica offers even more! Typically, the root note is found in hole 1-blow. The Seydel Orchestra S Harmonica places the root note at hole 3-blow, and half of the lower octave is added to holes 1 and 2. Since many players miss some of the notes on the standard Richter-tuned diatonic harmonica in the lower register the ORCHESTRA S allows them to hit the missing notes without having to apply a bending technique. The root note of the diatonic major scale is marked on the coverplate - it starts in 3 blow. This makes the ORCHESTRA S an ideal soloing instrument; the ten-hole design makes the Orchestra-S compact enough to take your melodies anywhere! The note layout is basically the same as that of a chromatic harmonica, making the ORCHESTRA S a great starting harmonica for learning to play a chromatic. The compact size combined with SEYDEL's durability makes the ORCHESTRA S a good choice for musical education in schools. The ORCHESTRA S opens new possibilities to blues harmonica players by making it easy to play minor pieces (3rd position) with a sound similar to solos played on a chromatic, thanks to the solo-tuning. They will also appreciate the extended major scale in the lower register. The root note of the dominant chord is available in the hole 1-draw, making it similar to playing in 2nd position on a standard Richter-tuned harmonica. Seasoned blues players will find all the notes of the blues scale through natural notes and bent notes, bringing soul and color to their blues improvisation. Solo-tuning in a ten-hole, compact harmonica Expanded tonal range in the lower register (Orchestra tuning) Stainless-steel reeds, coverplates, and screws combined for unparalleled durability (outlasting brass-reed models by up to five-times) Anti-corrosive, German-silver reedplates Lip-friendly, translucent carmine red plastic comb (ABS) with recessed reedplates Protective, full-grain leather pouch included ... Read more
Seydel Session Antique Harmonica
£29.99
7 Keys available
Seydel Session Antique The Seydel Session Antique is a diatonic harp with plastic comb and antique-coated stainless steel covers and brass reeds. It is a smoothly shaped harmonica that is a great and ideal choice for beginners. In terms of tone and playability, it is identical to the standard Seydel Blues Session Standard harmonica; the sole difference is the cover plate colour, which on the Antique model has a bronze coloured 'antique' finish. Both the Session Standard and the Session Antique share the same construction as the more expensive Session Steel, with recessed reed plates and a modern cover plate design that extends smoothly to the ends of the harmonica. As a consequence, the Session Steel reed plates will fit the Session Standard and Antique harps, which means that you are able to upgrade to the brighter and longer lasting stainless steel reed plates when the original ones have reached the end of their lifespan Rounded Plastic body with recessed reed plates Brass reed plates, 1.0 mm thick, screwed 10 Holes The Seydel Session Standard edition comes in Chrome Handmade in Klingenthal, Germany Seydel has been manufacturing harmonicas in Germany since the middle of the 19th century, and is the world's oldest harmonica manufacturer. Its speciality is its durable stainless steel reeds, which significantly outlast traditional brass reeds and provide a distinctive bright sound.... Read more
Seydel Session Standard Harmonica
£28.99
18 Keys available
The Seydel Session Standard Harmonica is a Diatonic harp with plastic comb and stainless steel covers. A fantastic blues harp that is ideal for beginners. Learn to play on this wonderful Seydel Session Standard Harmonica, that comes in the majority of keys. The Session Standard shares the same construction as the more expensive Session Steel model; the only difference is that the Standard comes with brass, rather than stainless steel, reeds. The reed plates from the Session Steel are interchangeable with the Session Standard, so it's possible to upgrade to these in the future, should you wish to. About Seydel Seydel is the world's oldest extant manufacturer of harmonicas, having been producing the instruments in Germany since the 1940s. Following World War 2, the factory was, unfortunately, within the newly formed GDR, and the company was absorbed into the state run manufacturer of musical instruments - VEB Klingenthal Harmonica Works. After the end of the Cold War, Seydel was returned to the descendants of its owners, then was sold to the current owners around a decade later. They are now known for their high quality, durability, and, in many models, their signature stainless steel reeds.... Read more
Seydel Session Steel - Country Tuning Country Tuning
£54.99
6 Keys available
The Seydel Session Steel Country Tuning harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. Like all Session Steels, the Country tuned model features: Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: Country ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel - PowerBender Tuning
£62.99
6 Keys available
The Seydel Session Steel PowerBender harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. This is the PowerBender tuned Session Steel, however you can also get it in Paddy Richter, PowerDraw, Melodic Maker, Circular/Melody King, Country, Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor. If you would like any of the other tunings please contact us. We also offer custom tuning such as equal temperament on special order. The PowerBender tuning builds on the best parts of the traditional Richter Tuning, while altering the scale to make the real juicy and important notes much easier to obtain throughout the whole three octave range. Same familiar breathing pattern in the upper-middle registers. All draw notes bend everywhere, holes 1-10! On the un-valved version you can overblow every hole 1-10, for full chromatic playing. Overdraws and blow bends are no longer possible or needed on a PowerBender - they are replaced with simple draw bends. Top octave easy to play (intuitive) as many familiar phrasings can be adopted from the bottom octaves Easy to play in the common positions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, and 12th Like all Session Steels, the PowerBender model features: Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: PowerBender ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel - PowerDraw Tuning
£62.99
6 Keys available
The Seydel Session Steel harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. This is the Powerdraw tuned Session Steel, however you can also get it in Paddy Richter, PowerBender, Melodic Maker, Circular/Melody King, Country, Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor. If you would like any of the other tunings please contact us. We also offer custom tuning such as equal temperament on special order. PowerDraw tuning is easy to learn because: The bulk of the harp (holes 1-6) stays exactly the same, so there is no need to re-learn anything in that meat and potatoes range you’re so accustomed to. The breathing pattern of holes 1-6 (blow reed low, draw reed high in each hole)is retained all the way up to hole 10 on the PowerDraw. This gives the top octave an instant feeling of familiarity to anyone who tries it, because the techniques and riffs that work so well lower down work up there too . Simplified Technique: There are no blow bends and no overdraws needed in the PowerDraw tuning. Two of the most important ‘blue’ notes in 2nd position (the flat third, which was overblow 6) and the flat fifth (overdraw 7) are now simple draw bends on holes 7 and 8. Every draw note bends from hole 6-10, soulful and easy! In un-valved setup every hole overblows, and the upper octave overblows are much easier than the overdraws necessary in Richter tuning. PowerDraw works well with the chordal octave-playing approach of tongue blockers. The notes in the top octave are similar to Richter, but the intervals are different. Because the chord splits sound nice and in-key, it is easy to adapt to. The PowerDraw works great in other positions too, especially Third (nice useful bends in the top octave), Fifth (good expression in the top end), Second Position Minor (no need to overblow to get the flat 3rd ), Eleventh and Twelfth (great expression in the top octave). If you feel familiar with playing in holes 1-6 on Richter diatonic already (or you play our BIG SIX model), the PowerDraw is a good choice for you! Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: PowerDraw ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel - Wilde Rock Tuning
£60.99
7 Keys available
Seydel Session Steel - Wilde Rock Tuning - SEYDEL Endorser Will Wilde is the inventor of this Special Tuning which is very well suited for "tougher" musical styles like Hardrock or Blues-Rock. Read here how this tuning was invented and why Will uses it regularly since a few years in his shows: "I designed the Wilde tuning specifically for playing hard rock and blues-rock on the harmonica. As much as I love the standard Richter tuning, I have always found it frustrating when it comes to playing “rock guitar” style licks, particularly in the upper octave. The Wilde tuning addresses all of the problems I had with Richter, whilst still retaining the bluesy feel of classic second position harmonica that we all know and love. Whereas Richter tuning was primarily designed for playing major chords and the major scale in first position, Wilde tuning is specifically designed for playing second position minor pentatonic and blues scale licks, throughout all three octaves. I have always preferred the sound of draw notes and draw bends to blow notes and blow bends, as you can get more expression and a better tone & vibrato from them. So, on the Wilde tuning ALL of the draw notes bend (from holes one to ten) and your root note lands on a draw in all three octaves. The SESSION STEEL is the upgrade to our successful SESSION model is presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. Details about Wilde Rock special tuning: Holes one to five are exactly the same as standard tuning. Holes six, seven and eight are the same as holes two, three and four (just an octave higher). Hole nine is the same as hole two (two octaves higher) and the reeds in hole ten have been switched around (so that the ten blow bend is now a draw bend). This makes fast minor pentatonic/blues scale runs much easier and means you no longer need to overblow/overdraw to get the flat third and flat five in the upper octave as they are now available as simple draw bends.... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonic Minor
£50.99
11 Keys available
The Seydel Session Steel harmonic minor tuning harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. Seydel's stainless steel reeds provide a bright and powerful sound, and also allow easy bending of notes. Their main advantage, though, is durability - some players have found that the lifespan of these reeds can be up to 5 times that of harps with traditional brass reeds. This is particularly relevant if you're a powerful player who likes to perform frequent overblows. As with all Seydels, air tightness is high, and the cover plate design ensures that the Seydel Session Steel Harmonic Minor harmonica is friendly to both lips and beards (not something you can say about all harmonicas!). Build quality is also exceptionally high - a legacy both of Seydel's long history and its investment in new technology in the last decade or so. This is the harmonic minor tuned Session Steel, however you can also get it in Paddy Richter, PowerDraw, PowerBender, Melodic Maker, Circular/Melody King, Country and Natural Minor. If you would like any of the other tunings please contact us. We also offer custom tuning such as equal temperament on special order. Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely Small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: harmonic minor Keys: G to F ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica - Circular Tuning
£54.99
12 Keys available
Circular tuning variant: all notes of the scale are arranged "logically" and can be reached by alternately blowing and drawing. Therefore it is possible to play up to 12 different chords. For the same reason, it is not so easy to clearly assign the key in which the harp is labeled in. Please note: hole #1 blow is the lowest note and designates the key of the harp here, although the playable major scale is 5 semitones (or a fourth) higher than the label on the instrument indicates. Depending on which root note you choose, you can very easily play melodies in the eight different 'church keys' = modes (modal scales). This tuning is sometimes also called "Spiral" or "Melody King". The SESSION STEEL is the upgrade to our successful SESSION model is presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica - EDharmonica Tuning
£54.99
12 Keys available
Blues Harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. EDharmonica - easy diatonic harmonica with free online courses & hundreds of tabs. The EDharmonica is produced on demand! Therefore delivery might take 2 weeks. QUICK RESULTS FOR BEGINNERS. The EDharmonica is designed in accordance with the laws of music and it’s been created specially for an easier learning and quick results. GREATER POTENTIAL FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS. The EDharmonica enables intermediate and advanced players to conveniently play in all music genres, in various keys, offers more possibilities with the blues, and is perfect for solo performances. FREE ONLINE COURSES & HUNDREDS OF TABS. To help you master the EDharmonica, we have prepared 10 online courses, beginner to advanced, and over 500 tabs. All of that is available for free on the website: >play.EDharmonica.com ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica - Half Valved PT Gazell
£54.99
19 Keys available
This PT-Gazell variant (half-valved) of the SESSION STEEL allows you to play additional single reed bendings in 1-6 blow and 7-10 draw. This technique requires a special embouchure. It is possible to reach all chromatic scale notes without using Overblows. ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica - Major Cross Tuning
£54.99
15 Keys available
Play fast runs and Irish tunes on your harmonica The SESSION STEEL Major Cross from Tony Eyers makes fast tunes easier to play. The instrument was developed for fast bluegrass and Irish tunes. It’s also useful for Irish Folk, Scottish Reels, Jigs, Country tunes and all kind of flute and fiddle tunes. Explore the possibilities of this new tuning. The MAJOR CROSS tuning, developed by Tony Eyers, allows a major scale to be played in second (or cross) position without any bending. While many players use second position, they often find traditional tunes challenging, due to the bending/overblowing needed for some notes. MAJOR CROSS eliminates this problem. Moreover, as bending/overblowing is generally not needed, MAJOR CROSS harmonicas are well suited to the fast speeds common with traditional fiddle tunes. ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica - Melodic Maker Tuning
£54.99
12 Keys available
Blues Harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. The Melodic Maker tuning is the combination of Country and Paddy Richter tunings; compared to the Richter tuning the notes in channels 5 and 9 are raised for a semi-tone.In addition, the blow note in channel three is tuned two semi-tones higher. Many melodies normally only playable using bends or overblows become easily playable with the Melodic Maker tuning.Since the Melodic Maker is played mainly in 2nd postion the key label refers to the note in 2 draw! The SESSION STEEL model is presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica - Richter
£38.99
19 Keys available
The Seydel Session Steel harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. This is the Standard Richter tuned Session Steel, however you can also get it in Paddy Richter, PowerDraw, PowerBender, Melodic Maker, Circular/Melody King, Country, Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor. If you would like any of the other tunings please contact us. We also offer custom tuning such as equal temperament on special order. Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely Small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: Standard Richter Keys: Low C to F# About Seydel Seydel is the world's oldest extant harmonica manufacturer and has been producing harmonicas and related accessories in Saxony, Germany, since the middle of the 19th century. After a period of state ownership during the division of Germany into the West and East, Seydel was returned to its original owners in the 1990s and subsequently purchased by its current owners early in the 21st century. It is now regarded as one of the leading producers of harmonicas in the world, and has built it reputation on durability, tone and quality. All Seydel harmonicas are manufactured in Germany.... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica Summer Edition 2019
£41.99
6 Keys available
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica Summer Edition 2019 - The Summer Edition Session Steel is back for 2019, and this year it comes with a mint coloured comb. The Summer Edition retains all of the great features of the standard Session Steel, including German silver reed plates and stainless steel reeds, which can last up to 5 times longer than traditional brass reeds. The fine cut reed plates, extremely flat comb and tight tolerances ensure that there is minimal air loss. This makes the Session Steel very easy to play. Many players like to buy a Summer Edition Session Steel each year in a different key - the variation in comb colour then enables them to easily distinguish the various keys in low light situations, such as gigs. Other players just prefer the special edition harps colour combos to the standard orange combed Session Steels. Either way, we think that this year's mint green comb looks especially good. The Summer Edition harps are only available for a short time. When the production run is finished they won't be available, so make sure you grab one while you can! They're available in the six most popular keys and come with a brown leather pouch with white stitching. ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica Summer Edition 2023
£41.99
6 Keys available
Seydel Session Steel Harmonica Summer Edition 2023 - The Summer Edition Session Steel is back for 2023, and this year it comes with a metallic green comb. The Summer Edition retains all of the great features of the standard Session Steel, including German silver reed plates and stainless steel reeds, which can last up to 5 times longer than traditional brass reeds. The fine cut reed plates, extremely flat comb and tight tolerances ensure that there is minimal air loss. This makes the Session Steel very easy to play. Many players like to buy a Summer Edition Session Steel each year in a different key - the variation in comb colour then enables them to easily distinguish the various keys in low light situations, such as gigs. Other players just prefer the special edition harp's colour combos to the standard orange combed Session Steels. The Summer Edition harps are only available for a short time. When the production run is finished they won't be available, so make sure you grab one while you can! They're available in the six most popular keys and come with a black leather pouch. ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Natural Minor
£48.99
12 Keys available
The Seydel Session Steel natural minor tuning harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. Seydel's stainless steel reeds provide a bright and powerful sound, and also allow easy bending of notes. Their main advantage, though, is durability - some players have found that the lifespan of these reeds can be up to 5 times that of harps with traditional brass reeds. This is particularly relevant if you're a powerful player who likes to perform frequent overblows. As with all Seydels, air tightness is high, and the cover plate design ensures that the Seydel Session Steel Natural Minor harmonica is friendly to both lips and beards (not something you can say about all harmonicas!). Build quality is also exceptionally high - a legacy both of Seydel's long history and its investment in new technology in the last decade or so. This is the natural minor tuned Session Steel, however you can also get it in Paddy Richter, PowerDraw, PowerBender, Melodic Maker, Circular/Melody King, Country and Harmonica Minor. If you would like any of the other tunings please contact us. We also offer custom tuning such as equal temperament on special order. Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely Small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: natural minor Keys: G to F# ... Read more
Seydel Session Steel Paddy Richter Tuning
£51.99
13 Keys available
Seydel Session Steel Paddy Richter tuning is altered from the Richter tuning by raising hole 3 blow for two semi-tones which is very useful especially for playing fast in Irish and Celtic music (1st pos: the 6th note of the major scale is playable without bending, 2nd pos.: the 2nd major scale not is available in the lower register without bending). The Seydel Session Steel harmonica is the upgrade to Seydel's successful Session model, and it comes presented with a bold new look and superior technical reliability, excellent playability and a fantastic sound. This is a blues harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb. As with the standard model, the Seydel Session Steel Paddy Richter version has stainless steel reeds, which can last up to five times longer than traditional brass reeds. The comb is swell resistant ABS and the cover plate design ensures that this is a harp that is friendly both to lips and beards. Build quality and air tightness are top notch, as you'd expect from the oldest extant manufacturer of harmonicas, and the tone is bright, with great feel and dynamics. The stainless steel reeds are responsive and allow easy bending of notes. Ergonomic cover plates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece ABS comb with recessed German Silver reed plates Rivets and screws made of stainless steel Lips and beard-friendly design Minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reed plates, optimised flatness and extremely Small tolerances between reed and reed plate Stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models Up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds Comes with a genuine leather pouch Tuning: Paddy Richter Also available in a range of custom tunings, including PowerDraw and PowerBender.... Read more
Seydel Solist Pro Harmonica
£33.99
20 Keys available
The Seydel Solist Pro Harmonica is a Diatonic harmonica with a laser cut body and half-flat stainless steel covers. With careful rounding of the dividers at the hole entrances, this type of lip care is only usually possible with plastic. This is additionally supported by the full sealing of the comb. 10 holes Standard Richter tuning German Silver reed plates optimised for loudness and extreme air-tightness Reeds specially set for best response - traditional Brass reeds Half-flat covers for brilliant sound Wooden body, multiple coats of sealant for a resistant finish Comes with a convenient leather pouch ... Read moreThe Blues Harp
These instruments are often generically referred to as Blues Harps. The diatonic harmonica is a single voice instrument and usually has 10 channels, each with one blow and one draw note.
What Does Diatonic Mean?
Diatonic means 'of the scale' and refers to the arrangement of notes in a heptatonic (7 notes per octave) scale in which there are five whole tones and two semitones per octave and in which the two semitones are separated from each other by two or three semitones.
In simple terms, this usually means that a diatonic harmonica is tuned to one specific key. So a C major diatonic harmonica will offer the notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B (just the white notes on a piano) at various pitches.
Because these harmonicas are tuned to a single key (ignoring the possibility of playing in second/third/etc positions), most players will require more than one in order to be able to play a variety of songs with other musicians. Luckily diatonic harmonicas are relatively inexpensive, compared to their chromatic counterparts (and, indeed, other instruments, such as guitars), so the purchasing of multiple keys does not need to be financially onerous.
Can I Play Chromatically on a Diatonic Harmonica?
Although diatonic harmonicas are set up to play only the notes in their listed key as standard, harp players, particularly those from the blues world, have long been adapting their technique to squeeze some chromaticism out of their instrument. This is achieved by bending notes down on the draw, thus flattening certain notes. The best players can access almost any Western note within the confines of the range of the harmonica using variations of this technique.Many models are available in packs of three or more, offering a significant saving over buying single harmonicas.
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