Harmonica Vignette

The harmonica is a free wind instrument used in several genres of music worldwide. The reeds are pre-tuned to individual pitches, which can be done by changing the length or stiffness of the reed.  Bending, tongue blocking, over bending, and lip pursing (among several others) are different techniques used for playing the harmonica. There are also different positions on a harmonica, each allowing you to play in other keys.  For example, 2nd position or mixolydian mode, allows the harmonica to be played a fourth below the original key. Listen to Charlie Musselwhite, Laurie Westell, Charlie McCoy, Cham-Ber Huang (1925-2014), Rick Estrin, and Lee Oskar talk more about the harmonica!