Harmonica

A harmonica is a very common free reed musical wind instrument (also

Parts of the harmonica

The basic parts of the harmonica are the comb, reed-plates and cover-plates. The comb is the term for the main body of the instrument. These are traditionaly made of wood, but plastic and metal combs are perhaps more common today. The comb contains the air chambers which house the reeds - the name comb comes from the fact that in simple harmonicas it does indeed resemble a hair-comb. In some designs, however, the comb is in fact very complex in arranging how the air is directed, particularly more modern custom and experimental designs.

Related Topics:
Wood - Plastic - Metal - Comb

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Reed-plate is the term for a grouping of several free-reeds in a single housing (usually brass, but occasionally steel and aluminum have been used, as well as plastics). These individual reeds are usually riveted to the reed-plate but they may also be welded or screwed in place (a notable exception is the all-plastic harmonicas designed by Finn Magnus in the 1950s, where the reed and reed-plate were molded out of a single piece of plastic). Depending upon whether the reeds are fixed on the inside (within the comb's air chamber) or the outside (in the open air)of the reed-plate determines whether the reed respons to pressure (blowing) or suction (drawing). In simple terms (see bending and overblowing below) reeds on the inside of the air chamber will respond to pressure while those on the outside suction. Most harmonicas are constructed with the reed-plates screwed to the comb or each other, however a few brands still use the traditional method of nailing the reed-plates to the comb.

Related Topics:
Brass - Steel - Aluminum - 1950s - Pressure - Suction

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The cover or cover-plates are usually made of metal, however wood and plastics have also been used. These go on the outside of the harmonica protecting the reed-plates and projecting the sound. Usually covers are open designs of stamped metal or plastic and are simply there to be held, however a few modern designs such as the Hohner CBH-2016 chromatic and the Suzuki Overdrive diatonic have complex covers which allow for specific functions not usually available in the traditional design. Similarly, it was not unusual in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to see harmonicas with special features on the covers such as bells which could be rung by pushing a button and the like.

Related Topics:
Suzuki - 19th - 20th centuries - Bells

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Some harmonicas have other parts as well. The mouthpiece is an object which is placed between the aie chambers of the instrument and the player's mouth. This can be made integral with the comb, as part of the cover or as a separate unit entirely. It serves primarily as an ergonomic aid to make the playing experience more comfortable, however in some designs (particularly chromatic harmonicas) it is essential to the functioning of the instrument.

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