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Overview of the different types of harmonicas

Which harmonica is right for your music? Discover the different types of harmonicas, from diatonic blues harps and chromatic models to tremolo, octave, and bass harmonicas. Choose a type below to view the collection, or read the selection guide below the overview.

Seydel 1847 Lightning blues harp, front and backBlues harp

Diatonic harmonicas

Seydel De Luxe chromatic harmonica with slideChromatic

Chromatic harmonicas

Seydel Sailor Steel tremolo harmonica, two viewsTremolo

Tremolo harmonicas

Seydel Club Steel octave harmonica with green combOctave

Octave harmonicas

Hohner Marine Band Thunderbird LOW harmonica, mouthpiece sideLOW

LOW harmonicas

Set of Seydel harmonicas in an open black caseComplete sets

Complete harmonica sets

Easttop chord harmonica with two rows of reedsChord/Orchestra

Chord and orchestra harmonicas

Suzuki Shinobix harmonica with mute and loose partsMuted

Muted harmonicas

Suzuki bass harmonica with two stacked sectionsBass

Bass harmonicas

Black-and-gold Ozzy Osbourne signature harmonicaSignature & Collectors

Signature models and special editions

Gold-colored Little Lady miniature harmonica on a chainMiniature

Miniature harmonicas

Black melodica with white and black keys and mouthpieceMelodicas

View our melodicas

Ukulele, tambourine, maracas and harmonicaOther instruments

View our other instruments

Which type of harmonica is right for you?

Your musical style, playing experience and desired sound will help you choose. The type is not the only important factor: also consider the key, the number of holes and the model's construction. Read below about the main differences.

Diatonic blues harp or chromatic harmonica?

The diatonic harmonica, also known as a blues harp, is widely used for blues, folk and rock. A standard model has ten holes and is tuned to a specific key. You can change the pitch using techniques such as bending. Are you taking lessons? Then choose the key that matches your course material.

A chromatic harmonica usually has a slide that raises the pitch by a semitone. This makes all twelve notes of the chromatic scale available. This type is used for melodies in jazz and classical music, among other genres. It remains important to choose a model that suits your playing goals.

Tremolo and octave: two different sounds

In a tremolo harmonica, two reeds slightly out of tune with each other sound together. This creates the characteristic shimmering sound. An octave harmonica, on the other hand, combines notes that are an octave apart. This creates a full sound. Both types are interesting if you want to play melodies with a different tonal character.

Lower keys, bass and accompaniment

Are you looking for a lower register? View the LOW harmonicas. A bass harmonica has a different role and is used for bass lines in an ensemble, for example. Chord and orchestra harmonicas are designed for chord accompaniment and ensemble playing, among other uses. Check the key and note layout for each instrument.

Sets, muted models and special editions

Do you play in multiple keys? A complete harmonica set can be useful. If you want to limit the playing volume, view the muted harmonicas and how the mute works on each model. For special editions, you can also find Signature & Collectors models and miniature harmonicas.