The Harmonic Minor has been in use for a long time, as the traditional tuning for playing a wide array of international music.The Harmonic Minor tuning has a very soulful, Eastern European sound and was used for one entire side of Lee Oskar’s highly acclaimed first solo album.
This harmonica is intended to play traditional ethnic music that is important to the heritage of many cultures, such as: Minor Eastern European, Gypsy, Yiddish, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian and European/American Folk music, as well as various selections of Jazz and Classic Show Tunes.
Major Diatonics are key-labeled in 1st Position.
The Major Diatonic lacks the flatted notes which are needed to play the Minor scales and chords used in the traditional folk songs of many cultures.
Harmonic Minors are key-labeled in 1st Position.
The chart below shows the notes that have been altered from a Major Diatonic (shown in yellow), providing the flatted notes that make it easy to play the Minor scales and chords commonly found in various types of ethnic music.
Harmonic Minors provide five flatted notes for playing Minor music.