Harmonicas

Harmonicas to the blues harp - it's all here at Fret Music!

Fret Music was established thirty years ago and is now one of the biggest stores of its type in the South of England. Musicians will find specific departments dealing with Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitars, Amplification, PA, Effects and Drums & Percussion, and our staff are on hand to give any advice you need, whether you're looking for a Hohner harmonica or a drum kit.

Fret Music have an extensive service department for guitar and amplification repair, and as members of the Music Industries Association they are able to offer interest free credit with the 'Take It Away' scheme which is promoted in conjunction with the Arts Council.

The history of harmonicas

The history of the harmonica begins in the year 1821 when sixteen-year-old Christian Buschmann registered the first European patents for his new musical invention. Called an 'aura' at the time, this was a free-reed instrument consisting of a series of steel reeds arranged together horizontally in small channels.

Chromatic harmonicas

Although this was initially an awkward design as it offered only blow notes arranged chromatically, Buschmann described his new instrument as 'Truly remarkable', so it's no surprise that his initial designs were widely imitated, leading to many modifications and advancements. An instrument maker named Richter made what is seen by some as the most important advancements in early harmonica design. In 1826, he developed a variation that consisted of ten holes and twenty reeds, with separate blow and draw reed plates mounted on either side of a cedar comb.

The Hohner harmonica

Richter's tuning, utilizing a diatonic scale, became the standard configuration of what Europeans referred to as the Mundharmonika or mouth organ.

In 1857, the history of the harmonica changed dramatically as German clock maker Matthias Hohner turned to manufacturing harmonicas full-time. With the help of his family and a hired workman, he was able to produce 650 instruments that year. Within two years he developed mass production techniques and the Hohner harmonica was on the way to becoming the world's best known brand.

Blues Harmonica and pop music

There are many examples of harmonicas being used by contemporary musicians, and probably the most famous of these is Bob Dylan who incorporated the instrument into his early music. John Lennon was also a fan of the blues harmonica, particularly the Hohner harmonica. His uncle bought him one when he was eleven years old, but this was not the one he played on Love me Do, the Beatles first hit record. According to some authors - and never denied by Lennon when later asked about it - this Hohner Harmonica was stolen by John from a music store in Scotland in the summer of 1962.

Blues harp or blues harmonica?

It doesn't matter what you refer to it as, the blues harp or the blues harmonica are essentially the same thing. There are many different names for harmonicas, but one thing is certain. If you are thinking of buying a blues harmonica, have a look at the wide selection available right here at the Fret Music website. And we don't just deal with the Hohner harmonica. Have a chat with our friendly staff and they will be able to advise you on whatever instrument you have in mind.