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Special Tuned Diatonics- For players that do not play chromatic harmonica, but may have the need for additional notes and scales in their playing, they can pick up a special tuned (actually re-tuned from the standard major scale tuning) diatonic. Tunings include: natural minor scale, harmonic minor scale, major scale 2nd position tuned (Lee Oskar calls them "Melody Makers" and Hohner calls them "Country tuned"), and "high octave" (key of "G") and "low octave" (low D, Eb, E, F, and F#) tuned. These harmonicas are not recommended for beginners and most instructional materials.
More from "Harmonica Types Defined".
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The Lee Oskar "Natural Minor" Diatonic- Don't be confused. This is not a standard tuned diatonic and it is not what we recommend for beginners. This is a special purpose harmonica. The "Natural Minor" tuned diatonic is made specifically to be played in the 2nd position and is used for songs in minor keys. It's a little confusing, but the key of the harmonica is the key for the 2nd position playing. Typically, the key of the harmonica is the same as the 1st position playing, but not in this case (same as the "Melody Maker" listed below). The most common minor key used in music is "A" minor. This is most likely the key you would want to buy first. After that, if there is a specific song you want to play to, buy that Natural Minor keyed harmonica. Remember to play in the 2nd position. |
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The Lee Oskar "Harmonic Minor" Diatonic- Don't be confused. This is not a standard tuned diatonic and it is not what we recommend for beginners. This is a special purpose harmonica. The "Harmonic Minor" tuned diatonic is made specifically to be played in the 1st position and is used for songs in minor keys based on the harmonic minor scale. The most common minor key used in music is "A" minor. When available, this is most likely the key you would want to buy first. After that, if there is a specific song you want to play to, buy that Harmonic Minor keyed harmonica. Remember to play in the 1st position. |
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The Lee Oskar "Melody Maker" Diatonic- Don't be confused. This is not a standard tuned diatonic and it is not what we recommend for beginners. This is a special purpose harmonica. The "Melody Maker" tuned diatonic is made specifically to be played in the 2nd position and is used for songs where a complete major scale is available while playing in the 2nd position. It's a little confusing, but the key of the harmonica is the key for the 2nd position playing. Typically, the key of the harmonica is the same as the 1st position playing, but not in this case (same as the "Natural Minor" listed above). If you would like to play to a song that is in the key of "A" and use the 2nd position, you would need to buy the key of "A" "Melody Maker" and stick with only your 2nd position riffs. This is a great harmonica for playing melodies in the 2nd position so you can take advantage of the bending capabilities on the low draw notes. |
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purchase | Hohner 560CT/20 Special 20
(Country Tuned)- A smooth "comfortable" feeling harmonica with
genuine brass plates recessed in a plastic body. The Special 20 is an
exceptionally warm-sounding airtight instrument with bolted on
covers that comes in a hinged plastic case.
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Hohner #364 12-hole Marine Band (octave low)- This is not your standard Marine Band harmonica. It is a complete octave lower than the normal 10-hole variety. Although it comes in different keys, stick with the key of "C" (i.e. the key of "G" model is not an octave lower than a standard "G" diatonic). This harmonica was used on occasion by Sonny Boy Williamson II on tunes like "Bye Bye Bird" and others. We like it a lot for practicing scales and bending. It's like jogging with ankle weights on, it really gets your power and endurance in shape. It also makes a great rhythm instrument when jamming with another player using a standard key of "C" harmonica. The 14-hole #365 is also available, but you will most likely never miss the last two holes. Save the $5. |
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Hohner Special 20 (Low D, Eb, E, F, F#)- Don't be confused. This is not a standard tuned diatonic and it is not what we recommend for beginners. This is a special purpose harmonica. These Low-Tuned Special 20's come in the keys of E, Eb, F, F#, which are a complete octave lower than the standard Special 20's in these keys. If you enjoy playing 3rd position (holes 4-6 draw), it may work better on these lower tunings (G minor on the Low "F" is very nice). |
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Hohner Marine Band (Low D, Eb, E, F, F#, High G)- Don't be confused. This is not a standard tuned diatonic and it is not what we recommend for beginners. This is a special purpose harmonica. These Low-Tuned Marine Bands come in the keys of D, Eb, E, F, F#, which are a complete octave lower than the standard Marine Bands in these keys. If you enjoy playing 3rd position (holes 4-6 draw), it may work better on these lower tunings (G minor on the Low "F" is very nice). |
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Hohner 365SBS Steve Baker Special Harmonica- The exciting special tuning of the Hohner 365SBS was developed by Steve Baker, Hohner Germany's diatonic harmonica consultant. The 14-hole tuning extends the range of bendable draw notes while retaining their familiar blues configuration. The SBS enables the first nine draw notes (over a 2-octave range) to be bent using the same method used when playing a standard-tuned harp. |
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