Diatonic harmonicas are what most people think of when they think: "harmonica".
This is the place for most people to get started playing the harmonica!
Because harmonicas are a mouth instrument, you may want to try different models and different brands of harmonicas if you are just getting started. Different models and different brands will fit on your mouth and on your lips differently - you won't really know what you prefer until you try them. One thing you might like to do is get the same key of harmonica in different models and brands, so you can compare "apples to apples", so to speak.
The Hohner Special 20 is the "workhorse" of the working musician's arsenal - they are durable, they sound great - you gotta try 'em out.
Special 20 classic tone and great durability.
A smooth comfortable-feeling harmonica with genuine brass plates recessed in a plastic body. Exceptionally warm sounding and airtight with bolted-on covers.
Hohner 560/20 Special 20 Marine Band Harmonica Features:
Pro quality
Richter tuning
All major keys
Genuine brass plates
Plastic body
Bolted-on covers
Hinged plastic case
Don't get caught without all the keys you need: Order today.
The Hohner Big River is another nice harmonica - it is a little wider, has a different feel - worth checking out. A quality, mid-priced model made in Germany.
The Big River Harp is the result of Hohner's automated Modular System (MS) production. It features improved reed design for long life and bright tone, airtight body for increased volume, contoured covers that project sound and are comfortable to hold. Cool "Steamboat" illustration on case.
Hohner 1896/20 Marine Band Harmonica Probably the most played harmonica in the world, due to its excellent sound and ease of playing. Break it in gently and it'll produce those flatted fifths that are the heart of great blues harp.
This is the traditional stand-by, the one that all the old blues greats started with. Lots of players still swear by them. Note: you have a wooden comb with the Marine Band - this gives you (some players say) a different tone to your playing.
Note: both Low F and High G are worth having in your harmonica bag - and that's just for starters! The key of Low F is very useful for songs where the traditionally-tuned F harmonica is just way too high and intrusive - low F tends to be very warm instead.
The key of High G really comes in handy on songs where you need your harmonica to "cut through" and be heard - the traditionally-tuned G is the lowest-pitched of all standard harmonicas and so may not come through very well on some songs, especially if there's a full band to compete with your sound.
Hohner 34B/20 Old Standby Harmonica, Key of C Popular beginner's model with heavy plated covers. Available in G, A, Bb, C, D, E and F. Incidentally, this is the all-time favorite of Country harmonica player great Charlie McCoy.
Hohner 542/20 Golden Melody Harmonica the 542/20 Golden Melody Hohner is an especially airtight harmonica with a strong, full-bodied sound. The curved ends provide extra holding comfort, and it's ideal for overblowing. Harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy first developed his overblowing technique on these harmonicas . Curved cover plates extend the entire length of the harmonica, providing increased resonant capacity. Reeds are set close to the open-framed mouthpiece and respond to the most subtle of commands, making the Golden Melody perfect for overblowing as well as bending.