Which harmonica to buy?
A 12-hole, 3-octave, chromatic (with slider) harmonica, scale C is the standard choice for most Hindi songs.
Will a diatonic harmonica do?
Probably not. Not all songs can be played correctly on a diatonic harmonica, which lacks the side slider that defines a chromatic one.
Is a 16-hole harmonica better than a 12-hole?
No. 12 holes cover most needs. The extra four holes are lower-octave notes used mostly for chords, and about 95% of Hindi film songs use only the 12 holes.
Can I use a 24-hole “Tower Model”?
Yes, you can play songs on it, but it is usually a Chinese toy-grade instrument. For beginners we recommend a 12-hole, 3-octave chromatic in C.
Which brands do you recommend?
German or Japanese makers: Hohner (German, roughly 10–13K), Suzuki SCX-48 (Japanese, roughly 12–14K) and Seydel (German, roughly 12–14K). Course members can get help choosing an instrument.
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