harmonica
what it is
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country music, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes (reed chambers) or multiple holes. The pressure caused by blowing or drawing air into the reed chambers causes a reed or multiple reeds to vibrate up and down creating sound.
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level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
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art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
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deep experimental
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questions
What is harmonica?
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country music, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes (reed chambers) or multiple holes. The pressure caused by blowing or drawing air into the reed chambers causes a reed or multiple reeds to vibrate up and down creating sound.
What are good harmonica albums to start with?
Try The Brasil Project by Toots Thielemans, Not Richard, But Dick by The Dead Milkmen, Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell by Big Walter Horton, and Taj Mahal by Taj Mahal.
Who are some women making harmonica?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/harmonica/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making harmonica, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20