4

I have a 4-hole harmonica. It is too simple; so, I can play simple songs only.

Yesterday, I asked a short question on this site. And, they told me that harmonica bending technique can help me play more than 8 notes.

I have searched on Google; but, there is no guide for my own harmonica type.

Now, I want to know: "Is there any harmonica technique to play more than 8 notes, on a 4-hole harmonica?", and: "Can you show me the link to a document or video... to help me improve my 4-hole harmonica skill?".


I am sorry, I like 4-hole harmonica type only; so, please don't advice me buying a new harmonica type.

0

2 Answers 2

6

For a guide to the 4 hole harmonica, I'd recommend you check out The Ultimate Miniature Harmonica Tunebook by Pat Missin. I haven't read it, but the author is very respected in the harmonica world.

To answer your question: Yes! You can play all the 13 chromatic notes from your low C to your high C. (This might even be possible without overblows!) If you really push it the range can maybe be extended, but not by very much, and you might have to take your instrument apart to set it up.

The easiest extra notes are produced by draw bends: C# in hole 1 and G# in hole 3. Following some online guide to draw bends (there's probably hundreds of them) they aren't that hard to make. Quite a bit harder are the notes Eb, F# and Bb, which can all be played with something called overblows. It's not easy, but with some dedication it's possible.I never heard of anyone playing overblows on a 4-holer before, you'd be the first :) You might very well have to get someone to help you get the reeds adjusted to make the overblows work, especially if your instrument is on the cheaper side as most (all?) 4 hole harmonicas are.

Another approach entirely would be to do something called half-valving. This means installing small valves over your draw reeds and some of your blow reeds. The benefit is that blow notes can then be bent down in pitch, allowing you to play all the chromatic notes without overblows. This would also let you bend your low C down at least to a B, maybe to a Bb. The drawback is that you get a more complicated instrument to maintain. (and you would not be able to do overblows)

Installing valves is a bit complicated, but some people find this easier than learning overblows. I personally prefer the overblow approach, and would recommend it over using valves if you're motivated to learn, but others might dissagre.

As for the range, there's one more way to extend it:

There is a technique even less used than the overblow, namely the overdraw. The sound could be rather shrill for such a high note and short reed, but if you can learn to overdraw you would be able to play a high C# above your high C. Maybe even somewhat higher notes. What I said about adjusting your reeds applies even more for this note.

If you're looking for an instrument of higher quality, which could help in learning advanced techniques, Seydel have a 6 hole harmonica that might be small enough for your needs. For a reasonable fee they will custom build it with any layout you want, so you can get four of the holes the notes following the same pattern as your 4-holer. That way you could go lower, and you get an instrument with the same quality as a good blues harp.

2

It is possible to play 'in-between' notes, by bending the existing ones. As mentioned in the answer to your previous question.An in-between note will be non diatonic, and if the harp's in C, will give you some sharps and flat notes, but the tuning will be up to you, as in they may not come out as well in tune as you would like. However, it will not be possible to EXTEND the range of that harp, if that's what you are hoping.

3
  • You have one octave available to play. These 8 notes are called 'diatonic' and are the main notes used in most tunes. There are, however, 5 more 'in-between' notes that we're talking about. Let's take yours as C D E F G A B and C. The in-betweens are C#, D#, F#, G# and A#. Sometimes called Db, Eb, Gb, Ab and Bb respectively. The easier ones to draw and bend should be - Db, Ab and Bb.
    – Tim
    Commented Jul 10, 2015 at 13:20
  • Edits: I found the answer to my question: music.stackexchange.com/questions/131/note-bending-on-harmonica
    – Josiah
    Commented Jul 10, 2015 at 15:05
  • @Tim The Bb isn't available as a draw bend; the only draw bends are Db and Ab. Eb, F# and Bb can be played with overblows, assuming one finds a decent quality 4 hole harmonica. Also, the range CAN technically be extended to a high C# by an overdraw.
    – EdvinW
    Commented Jun 7, 2020 at 10:44

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.