If you’re looking to learn how to play the harmonica, then you must know that this wind instrument comes in several different types. The basics of playing the harmonica is the same across all its types: you have to blow air into the individual holes or reed chambers to create sound. However, that’s where the similarities end as reeds for different types of harmonica are pre-tuned according to the pitch and tone that they are supposed to create. A ChengGong harmonica, for instance, is different from all its cousins because it has a sliding mouthpiece and a main body.
The ChengGong harmonica is named after a pun on the surname of its inventor, Cheng Xuexue. As earlier mentioned, this type of harmonica comes with a body and a sliding mouthpiece. The body is composed of a 24-hole diatonic harmonica that covers three octaves and start from b2 to d6. The 11-hole mouthpiece of this type of harmonica can slide along the front of the instrument. This feature produces a lot of chord choices and voicings such as seven triads, seven 7th chords, three 6th chords and seven 9th chords.
The ChengGong harmonica can also play single-note melodies as well as double stops over three diatonic octaves. Unlike other types of harmonicas, blowing and drawing air from the instrument can produce the same notes. This is because tuning of this harmonica is more like the note layout of an Asian tremolo harmonica.
Buying tips
When shopping for a harmonica of any type, there are several things that you need to consider. For starters, you want to opt for a harmonica whose cover plate feels comfortable inside the mouth and the holes are accessible for easier tongue blocking. Look for a model that will let you blow from the sides of the mouth as you reach its holes with your tongue.