Chromatic Harmonica
What Is Included
Music in our Chromatic Harmonica series includes:
- Melody in notation and chromatic harmonica tablature
- Lyrics if the original music includes words
- Chord symbols above the music
Instrument
Chromatic harmonicas are available in a variety of sizes. We test our music on a 12-hole harmonica, but many titles will work on other sizes.
The table below describes how our music works on different chromatic harmonicas. Note that this information is based on harmonicas that use a standard layout for notes. If your harmonica uses a differrent tuning, the music likely won't work on your instrument.
| Harmonica Size | Description | Which Music Is Playable? |
|---|---|---|
| 8-Hole | The layout of this harmonica overlaps with holes 1 through 8 on a 12-hole harmonica. | Music that doesn't require holes 9 to 12 |
| 10-Hole | A 10-hole harmonica is generally the same as holes 1 through 10 on a 12-hole harmonica. | Music that doesn't require holes 11 and 12 |
| 12-Hole | All of our music will work on this size unless your harmonica uses a non-standard layout. | All Music |
| 14-Hole | 14-hole harmonicas include two extra notes below the range of the 12-hole instrument. Numbering of these holes varies, but it's usually done in a way that preserves the 1 to 12 numbering for the third hole to the last hole. For example, the first two holes might be numbered 1 and 2 (sometimes with a dot above or below the numbers). The third hole usually restarts the numbering with 1. Some 14-hole harmonicas don't include numbers on the first two holes. | All Music |
| 16-Hole | Four additional holes are included on a 16-hole harmonica compared to a 12-hole harmonica. These holes are generally below the range of the 12-hole instrument. The extra holes are often numbered 1 to 4. The numbering starts over with 1 on the fifth hole and goes up to 12 on the last hole. | All Music |
Our chromatic harmonica music doesn't work on diatonic harmonicas. The arrangement of notes on a diatonic harmonica is different.
Music Notation and Tablature
The music notation is for a C chromatic harmonica. Chromatic harmonica tablature is included below the music. The tablature includes a number (1 to 12) for the hole you play and an up or down arrow to indicate whether to blow or draw (inhale) through the hole. Blow notes are indicated by up arrows and draws are indicated by a down arrow. Numbers with a box around them indicate the slide should be pressed.
The tablature will work for harmonicas in keys other than C if they use the standard note layout. You will just be playing in a different key than what is notated.
The standard layout of a chromatic harmonica includes duplicate notes (Cs and Fs). For example, blowing holes 4 or 5 produces the same C. We try to choose the best location for these notes for each title. This is based on context such as the the other notes in the music.
Our chromatic harmonica sheet music is notated at concert pitch.
Chords
Chord symbols are included above the music. The chords may be simplified slightly to make it easy for guitarists, pianists, or other musicians to accompany you.
Keys
We generally use standard keys for titles that have them. This makes it easier to play along with other instruments by taking advantage of the chromatic harmonica's ability to play in any key.
Lyrics
We generally include one verse of lyrics within the music. Other lyrics are included as text at the end of the music. Some lyrics may be omitted, but this is usually done only when there are too many verses to easily include (e.g., songs that include dozens of verses).
Lyrics may vary from the version you know. A small number of songs include many variations in lyrics, none of which are standardized. It isn't always possible to create a version of these lyrics that is familiar to everyone.
Tempo
Tempos are editorial suggestions in most cases. Feel free to choose your own tempo.