Editing Harmonica (section)

==Parts==
[[Image:Gaita partes1.jpg|thumb|200px|Comb and two reed plates]]
[[Image:Gaita palhetas.jpg|thumb|200px|Reed plate]]
[[Image:Gaita Palhetas2.jpg|thumb|200px|Reed plate mounted on the comb of a diatonic harmonica, one of several categories of harmonica]] The basic parts of the harmonica are the comb, reed plates, and cover plates.

===Comb===
The comb is the main body of the instrument, which, when assembled with the reed plates, forms air chambers for the reeds. The term "comb" may originate from the similarity between this part of a harmonica and a hair comb. Harmonica combs were traditionally made from wood, but now are also made from plastic ([[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|ABS]]) or metal (including [[titanium]] for high-end instruments).  Some modern and experimental comb designs are complex in the way that they direct the air.

Dispute exists among players about whether comb material affects the tone of a harmonica. Those saying no argue that unlike the soundboard of a piano or the top piece of a violin or guitar, a harmonica's comb is neither large enough nor able to vibrate freely enough to substantially augment or change the sound. Among those saying yes are those who are convinced by their ears. Few dispute that comb surface smoothness and air tightness when mated with the reed plates can greatly affect tone and playability. The main advantage of a particular comb material over another one is its durability.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Weinstein, Randy F.|author2=Melton, William|title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Harmonica|year=2001|publisher=Alpha |isbn=0-02-864241-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00will}}</ref> In particular, a wooden comb can absorb moisture from the player's breath and contact with the tongue. This can cause the comb to expand slightly, making the instrument uncomfortable to play, and to then contract, potentially compromising air tightness. Various types of wood and treatments have been devised to reduce the degree of this problem.

An even more serious problem with wooden combs, especially in chromatic harmonicas (with their thin dividers between chambers), is that, as the combs expand and shrink over time, cracks can form in the combs, because the comb is held immobile by nails, resulting in disabling leakage. Serious players devote significant effort to restoring wood combs and sealing leaks. Some players used to soak wooden-combed harmonicas ([[Diatonic and chromatic|diatonics]], without wind-savers) in water to cause a slight expansion, which they intended to make the seal between the comb, reed plates, and covers more airtight. Modern wooden-combed harmonicas are less prone to swelling and contracting, but modern players still dip their harmonicas in water for the way it affects tone and ease of bending notes.

===Reed plate===
The reed plate is a grouping of several reeds in a single housing. The reeds are usually made of brass, but steel, aluminium, and plastic are occasionally used. Individual reeds are usually riveted to the reed plate, but they may also be welded or screwed in place. Reeds fixed on the inner side of the reed plate (within the comb's air chamber) respond to blowing, while those fixed on the outer side respond to suction.

Most harmonicas are constructed with the reed plates screwed or bolted to the comb or each other. A few brands still use the traditional method of nailing the reed plates to the comb. Some experimental and rare harmonicas also have had the reed plates held in place by tension, such as the WWII-era all-American models. If the plates are bolted to the comb, the reed plates can be replaced individually. This is useful because the reeds eventually go out of tune through normal use, and certain notes of the scale can fail more quickly than others.

A notable exception to the traditional reed plate design is the all-plastic harmonicas designed by Finn Magnus in the 1950s, in which the reed and reed plate were molded out of a single piece of plastic. The Magnus design had the reeds, reed plates, and comb made of plastic and either molded or permanently glued together.

===Cover plates===
Cover plates cover the reed plates and are usually made of metal, though wood and plastic have also been used. The choice of these is personal; because they project sound, they determine the tonal quality of the harmonica. Two types of cover plates are used: traditional open designs of stamped metal or plastic, which are simply there to be held; and enclosed designs (such as the [[Hohner]] Meisterklasse and Super 64, [[Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation|Suzuki]] Promaster and SCX), which offer a louder tonal quality. From these two basic types, a few modern designs have been created, such as the Hohner CBH-2016 chromatic and the Suzuki Overdrive diatonic, which have complex covers that allow for specific functions not usually available in the traditional design. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, harmonicas not uncommonly had  special features on the covers, such as [[Bell (instrument)|bells]], which could be rung by pushing a button.

===Wind-savers===
Wind-savers are one-way valves made from thin strips of plastic, knit paper, leather, or Teflon glued to the reed plate. They are typically found in chromatic harmonicas, chord harmonicas, and many octave-tuned harmonicas. Wind-savers are used when two reeds share a cell and leakage through the nonplaying reed would be significant. For example, when a draw note is played, the valve on the blow reed-slot is sucked shut, preventing air from leaking through the inactive blow reed. An exception to this is the now-discontinued Hohner XB-40, on which valves are placed not to isolate single reeds, but rather to isolate entire chambers from being active, a design that made playing traditional blues bends possible on all reeds.

===Mouthpiece===
The mouthpiece is placed between the air chambers of the instrument and the player's mouth. This can be integral with the comb (the diatonic harmonicas; the Hohner Chrometta); part of the cover (as in Hohner's CX-12); or may be a separate unit, secured by screws, which is typical of chromatics. In many harmonicas, the mouthpiece is purely an ergonomic aid designed to make playing more comfortable. In the traditional slider-based chromatic harmonica, it is essential to the functioning of the instrument because it provides a groove for the slide.

===Accessories===
[[Image:Mark Wenner of The Nighthawks plays amplified harmonica Fridays on the Square downtown Harrisonburg VA July 2008.jpg|thumb|right|upright|125px|[[Mark Wenner]] cups his hands around a "bullet mic" as he plays amplified harmonica.]]

====Amplification devices====

Since the 1950s, many blues harmonica players have amplified their instrument with microphones and [[instrument amplifier|tube amplifiers]]. One of the early innovators of this approach was Marion "[[Little Walter]]" Jacobs, who played the harmonica near a "Bullet" microphone marketed for use by radio taxi dispatchers. This gave his harmonica tone a "punchy" midrange sound that could be heard above an electric guitar. Also, tube amplifiers produce a natural growling [[distortion (music)|overdrive]] when cranked at higher volumes, which adds body, fullness, and "grit" to the sound. Little Walter also cupped his hands around the instrument to create a kind of flexible chamber, giving it a powerful, distorted sound somewhat reminiscent of a saxophone, hence the term "Mississippi saxophone". Some harmonica players in folk use a regular vocal microphone, such as a [[Shure SM 58]], for their harmonica, which gives a clean, natural sound.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

As technology in amplification has progressed, harmonica players have introduced other [[effects unit]]s to their rigs, as well, such as [[spring reverb|reverb]], [[tremolo]], [[delay (audio effect)|delay]], [[octave]], additional [[distortion (music)|overdrive]] pedals, and [[chorus effect]]. [[John Popper]] of [[Blues Traveler]] uses a customized microphone that encapsulates several of these effects into one handheld unit, as opposed to several units in sequence. Many harmonica players still prefer tube amplifiers to [[solid-state amplifier|solid-state]] ones, owing to the perceived difference in tone generated by the [[vacuum tubes]]. Players perceive tubes as having a "warmer" tone and a more "natural" overdrive sound. Many amplifiers designed for [[electric guitar]] are also used by harmonica players, such as the [[Gibson Kalamazoo Electric Guitar#Kalamazoo Amplifiers|Kalamazoo Model Two]], [[Fender Bassman]], and the [[Danelectro Commando]]. Some expensive handmade [[boutique amplifiers]] are built from the ground up with characteristics that are optimal for amplified harmonica.

====Rack or holder====
[[Image:Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.jpg |thumb|200px|[[Joan Baez]] and [[Bob Dylan]], 1963:  Dylan is wearing a harmonica holder.]]

Harmonica players who play the instrument while performing on another instrument with their hands (e.g., an acoustic guitar) often use an accessory called a neck rack or harmonica holder to position the instrument in front of their mouth. A harmonica holder clamps the harmonica between two metal brackets, which are attached to a curved loop of metal that rests on the shoulders. The original harmonica racks were made from wire or coat hangers. Models of harmonica racks vary widely by quality and ease of use, and  experimenting with more than one model of harmonica rack is often needed to find one that feels suitable for each individual player. This device is used by folk musicians, [[one-man band]]s, and singer-songwriters such as <!-- THESE ARE SELECTIVE EXAMPLES, NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST. GET CONSENSUS TO ADD MORE. -->[[Bob Dylan]], [[Edoardo Bennato]], [[Tom Harmon]], [[Neil Young]], [[Eddie Vedder]], [[Billy Joel]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], and blues singers [[Jimmy Reed]] and [[John Hammond Jr.]]<!-- THESE ARE SELECTIVE EXAMPLES, NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST. GET CONSENSUS TO ADD MORE. -->