Harmonica

Abstract

Harmonica with a blues scale based on the minor pentatonic scale, which is formed from the pentatonic scale in the minor key by adding the diminished fifth, comprising at least 10 combs, which are tuned to an arrangement of notes of the blues scale with a multi-octave range, and the comb assignment of the blow and draw channels is determined by a sound arrangement of the scale-specific notes of the minor blues scale, for which purpose the three adjacent combs of at least one octave are tuned to the blow notes (1), (4), (5) and to the draw notes (3.sup.b), (5.sup.b), (7.sup.b).

Claims

1. Harmonica with a blues scale based on the minor pentatonic scale, which is formed from the pentatonic scale in the minor key by adding the diminished fifth, comprising at least 10 combs, which are tuned to an arrangement of notes of the blues scale with a multi-octave range, and the comb assignment of the blow and draw channels is determined by a sound arrangement of the scale-specific notes of the minor blues scale, for which purpose the three adjacent combs of at least one octave are tuned to the blow notes (1), (4), (5) and to the draw notes (3.sup.b) (5.sup.b) (7.sup.b).

2. Harmonica according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent octaves have the same structure.

3. Harmonica according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent octaves have different structures.

4. Harmonica according to claim 1, characterized in that the range comprises three octaves.

5. Harmonica according to claim 1, characterized in that the three adjacent combs of at least one octave are tuned to the blow notes c (1), f (4), g (5) and to the draw notes e.sup.b (3.sup.b), g.sup.b (5.sup.b), b.sup.b (7.sup.b) in c minor.

6. Harmonica according to claim 1, characterized in that 10 combs are provided, covering sounds over three octaves and the first notes of a fourth octave.

7. Harmonica according to claim 1, characterized in that 12 combs are provided, covering sounds over four octaves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram of the minor blues scale, the notes of the scale being numbered for easy representation,

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram of the exemplary assignment of combs 1-10 of a harmonica according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the exemplary assignment of combs 1-10 of the harmonica according to the invention in c minor of the pentatonic minor blues scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) The invention relates to a pentatonic tuned harmonica. In this respect, FIG. 1 shows a pentatonic minor blues scale. The lowest box shows the tonic. The boxes above are the notes of the scale, named according to their interval from the tonic. Thus, the scale is to be read in the form of a zigzag. The upper box shows the same note as the tonic, just an octave higher. The notes of the scale are numbered for better representation. The designations of the intervals or degrees of the scale associated with the numbering are given as a legend.

(5) The harmonica with a blues scale based on the minor pentatonic scale is formed from the pentatonic scale in the minor key by adding the diminished fifth and comprises at least 10 combs (blow holes), preferably 10 combs. According to the invention, the at least 10 combs are tuned to an arrangement of notes of the blues scale with a multi-octave range. The comb assignment of the blow and draw channels is thereby determined by a tone arrangement of the scale-specific notes of the minor blues scale. The three adjacent combs of at least one octave are tuned to the blow notes (1), (4), (5) and to the draw notes (3.sup.b), (5.sup.b), (7.sup.b) in an ascending and descending manner.

(6) In the harmonica according to the invention, adjacent octaves may preferably have the same structure, for example be higher octaves.

(7) In the harmonica according to the invention, adjacent octaves may alternatively have a different structure, for example be octaves of different keys.

(8) The harmonica according to the invention preferably has a range comprising three octaves. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows the harmonica described above with three octaves of the minor blues scale, with, for example, 10 combs. In addition to the three octaves, it may be provided according to the invention that, in addition to three octaves, the first notes of a fourth octave can be played. Consequently, 10 combs are then provided, covering sounds over three octaves and the first notes of a fourth octave.

(9) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the harmonica according to the invention which comprises three adjacent combs of at least one octave which are tuned to the blow notes c (1), f (4), g (5) and to the draw notes e.sup.b (3.sup.b) g.sup.b (5.sup.b) b.sup.b(7.sup.b) in c minor. Preferably, two higher octaves of the same key are provided for the tuning of the combs. The combs may in the same way be tuned to other keys of the pentatonic minor blues scale.

(10) Harmonicas with more than 10 combs, for example 12 combs, may also be provided. Preferably, four octaves can then be played completely.

(11) All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

(12) The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.