Which harmonica should I buy?
Facts from the makers, side by side, and who each harmonica suits. We do not rank them: the right one depends on your music and your budget.
What kind of harmonica do I need?
Most tabs here are for a C harmonica: a 10-hole diatonic in the key of C. Every tab names the key it needs, so you can add other keys later, one song at a time.
10-hole diatonic
Ten holes, twenty reeds, tuned to one key. The harmonica of blues, folk, rock and country, and the one almost every beginner starts on.
Good for: Beginners, Blues, folk, rock and country, Bending notes, Every tab on HarmoniTabs.
Chromatic
A slide button raises each note a half step, so one harmonica plays every note in any key. Usually 12 or 16 holes.
Good for: Jazz, classical and pop melodies, Songs in many keys on one instrument.
Tremolo
Two reeds per note, one tuned slightly apart, give a wavering, shimmering sound. Common in folk and in East Asian music.
Good for: Simple folk and traditional melodies, A warm, singing sound.
Browse by type
10-hole diatonic (13)
- HohnerSpecial 2010-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeA plastic-comb 10-hole diatonic whose reed plates sit inside the comb, so the mouthpiece is smooth plastic. Hohner calls it the most copied harmonica design.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Special 20
- HohnerMarine Band 1896 Classic10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeThe classic wooden-comb Hohner, a design dating to 1896 and the harmonica heard on decades of blues and folk records.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic
- HohnerMarine Band Crossover10-hole diatonicPrice tier: PremiumA Marine Band with a sealed bamboo comb, built for players who want the Marine Band sound with a comb that does not swell.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Marine Band Crossover
- HohnerGolden Melody10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeA plastic-comb diatonic tuned in equal temperament, so single-note melodies sound in tune with piano and guitar.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Golden Melody
- HohnerBlues Harp10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeA wooden-comb diatonic in Hohner's MS series, aimed at blues players, with parts that swap between MS models.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Blues Harp
- HohnerRocket10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeA plastic-comb Hohner in the Progressive series, in all 12 keys.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Rocket
- HohnerBig River Harp10-hole diatonicPrice tier: BudgetAn entry-level plastic-comb Hohner in the MS series: a real 10-hole diatonic at a low price.Specs, pros and cons: Hohner Big River Harp
- Seydel1847 Classic10-hole diatonicPrice tier: PremiumSeydel's flagship diatonic: stainless steel reeds on German silver plates and a sealed wooden comb.Specs, pros and cons: Seydel 1847 Classic
- SeydelSession Steel10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeA plastic-comb Seydel with stainless steel reeds; Seydel calls it its most popular harmonica for beginners.Specs, pros and cons: Seydel Session Steel
- SuzukiManji (M-20)10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeSuzuki's signature diatonic, named after Manji Suzuki: a composite comb that Suzuki says has the tone of wood without the swelling.Specs, pros and cons: Suzuki Manji (M-20)
- SuzukiHarpmaster (MR-200)10-hole diatonicPrice tier: BudgetA plastic-comb Suzuki that Suzuki recommends for anyone who wants to play a 10-hole diatonic.Specs, pros and cons: Suzuki Harpmaster (MR-200)
- SuzukiFolkmaster (1072)10-hole diatonicPrice tier: BudgetSuzuki's traditional-style budget diatonic with a sculpted metal cover, sold with a hard case.Specs, pros and cons: Suzuki Folkmaster (1072)
- Lee OskarMajor Diatonic10-hole diatonicPrice tier: Mid-rangeThe standard-tuned model of Lee Oskar Harmonicas, founded by the harmonica player Lee Oskar, with parts you can replace yourself.Specs, pros and cons: Lee Oskar Major Diatonic
Browse by brand
Hohner
Lee Oskar
Comparisons
The same facts for both, and when to choose each. No winner unless your needs decide it.
- Hohner Special 20 vs Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic
- Hohner Special 20 vs Lee Oskar Major Diatonic
- Hohner Special 20 vs Suzuki Manji (M-20)
- Hohner Marine Band Crossover vs Seydel 1847 Classic
- Hohner Blues Harp vs Hohner Special 20
- Hohner Golden Melody vs Hohner Special 20
- 10-hole diatonic vs Chromatic harmonica
Questions
- What kind of harmonica do I need for the tabs on HarmoniTabs?
- A 10-hole diatonic harmonica. Most tabs here are for a C harmonica, and each tab says which key it needs.
- Diatonic, chromatic or tremolo: which should I buy first?
- A 10-hole diatonic. It is the cheapest to start with, the one most lessons use, and the one blues, folk and rock are played on.
- Do you rank the harmonicas?
- No. We list facts from the makers, pros and cons, and who each model suits. Which is best depends on your music and budget.
Got a harmonica? Start with the 6-step lessons or play an easy song.