Harmonicas in Key of C

A harmonica in the key of C is the first instrument for most people who are learning to play the harmonica. Most textbooks, method books and video tutorials are written for a C harmonica, so songs and exercises are right at hand. This page offers 10-hole diatonic harmonicas as well as chromatic and tremolo harmonicas in C from Hohner, Suzuki, Seydel, Fender, Cascha, SX and Walther. Harmonicas in other keys are in the harmonicas category.

Diatonic or chromatic harmonica?

A diatonic harmonica has 10 holes and 20 reeds and plays the notes of the C major scale. An experienced player creates further notes by bending, which is what blues playing is built on. Examples in C here include the Hohner Special 20, Marine Band 1896, Blues Harp and Silver Star, the Suzuki Folkmaster and Easy Rider, the Fender Blues Deluxe and the Cascha Blues Harmonica.

A chromatic harmonica has a slide button on the side that lets you play semitones too, which is why jazz and classical players use it. In C you'll find it with 12 or 16 holes from Hohner, Suzuki, Seydel and Cascha. A tremolo harmonica, such as the Suzuki SU-24 Twotimer, W-24 Winner or W-16 Winner, has two reeds for each note, tuned slightly apart from each other, so it has a wavering sound like the harmonica in folk music.

What key does a C harmonica play in?

When you play melodies and folk songs, a C harmonica plays in C major. Blues players most often play it in the key of G – known as second position or cross harp – so it fits with a guitarist playing blues in G. For a song in another key you need a harmonica in a different key, for example one of the harmonicas in the key of G. The body is usually made of plastic, stainless steel or wood – the Hohner Marine Band 1896 has a wooden comb.