Country-Tuned Harmonica

While traditional Richter-tuned, 10-hole diatonic harmonicas have a remarkable three-octave range, one can only play a complete major scale spanning one octave in a single key from holes 4 through 6. By contrast, the country-tuned diatonic harmonica with its 5th-hole draw reed voiced a halftone higher (F to F# in a C harmonica), is not only capable of playing 2 complete major scales but can also play one of them from the second hole in two full octaves.

Harmonica enthusiasts who are already familiar with the cross-harp concept of playing a C harmonica in the key of G to achieve the Mixolydian mode, with a blues sound, will be delighted to learn of a further valve alteration that gives players access to 4 chromatic tones from the 5th hole —facilitating play in the relative minor key.

Seasoned Mel Bay harmonica author, Phil Duncan, presents this unique book of technique and six melodies for the country-tuned 10-hole diatonic harmonica. All music is presented with lyrics, standard notation and tablature with suggested guitar chords and studio-quality online audio.