Harmonica
The harmonica is a wind instrument that creates sound by blowing air into the reed chambers. After its creation, it was mainly used by soldiers in the war to provide solace and peace. Shortly after the Civil War, it became of fixture of American music. From the 1950’s to the 1970’s it was most commonly used by blues musicians. Their techniques created a sound that matched the message they were trying to communicate. He harmonica was also a central instrument to the country and folk genre. Again, musicians discovered a more up-tempo technique that matched the different messages they were looking to communicate. The harmonica is not give enough credit, but today, I believe that the harmonica is making a comeback. Others might not see it or believe it, but it is one of those instruments that can create an abundance of sounds and emotions.
History of the harmonica
In the early 19th century the harmonica was created by 16 year old Christian Friedrich Buschmann. Buschmann described his invention as “a new instrument that is truly remarkable. In its entirety it measures but four inches in diameter...but gives me twenty-one notes, and all the pianissimos and crescendos one could want without a keyboard, harmonies of six tones, and the ability to hold a note as long as one would wish to."
When Buschmanns design became known, it was widely imitated and modified by many people. The most important advancement known to man, is that of an instrument maker named Richter. The version he created consisted of 10 holes and twenty reeds. The way he tuned and scaled this instrument has become the standard construction of the harmonica.
In the mid 1800s, the harmonica was revolutionized. German clockmaker Matthias Hohner began manufacturing harmonicas full-time in his clock-making factory. Accompanied by family, friends, and co-workers, Hohner began producing 650 harmonicas annually. It wasn’t long until mass production of these instruments was being demanded by the public.
To show his business skills and marketing savvy, Hohner began creating metal plates titled with his name to cover and protect the instrument. By 1862, Hohner introduced harmonicas to North America and propelled the Hohner company status to what it is known as today: the leading harmonica producer and distributor of the world.
Today, there are more than 90 harmonica models produced by Hohner, all available in different styles and tunings. This allows musicians the freedom to play and express themselves in all genres.