harmonica Hear it!

harmonica Definition

☆ har·moni·ca (här män′i kə)

noun

  1. a small wind instrument played with the mouth; mouth organ: it has a series of graduated metal reeds that vibrate and produce tones when air is blown or sucked across them
  2. glass harmonica

Etymology: L, fem. of harmonicus (see harmonic): name altered < earlier armonica (< It, fem. of armonico, of same orig.) by Benjamin Franklin, who developed this instrument from an earlier form

harmonica Synonyms

harmonica

n.

mouth organ, harmonicon, blues harp, French harp, harp, mouth harp, mouth Steinway; see also musical instrument.

harmonica Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • wail: Their sound includes off-kilter lyrics, blues guitar jangle and wailing harmonica, low down funky drums and fat jazz double bass.
  • play: Dylan plays harmonica on all songs except the last.
  • feature: The later instrumental section is very up-tempo and features some splendid harmonica and saxophone sounds.
  • include: They fuse layers of sampled loops and rock guitars with an array of acoustic instruments including harmonica, mandolin and bowed double bass.
  • have: For instance, " This Given Line " by Electric Soft Parade has a harmonica introduced on the second chorus.
  • add: Ben also adds the harmonica, and a disclaimer in the sleeve notes about not being able to play it.

Preposition: on

  • song: Dylan plays harmonica on all songs except the last.

Adjective modifier

  • diatonic: One of the main differences in the many available models of diatonic harmonica is the material that the comb is made from.
  • chromatic: Complete with solo and accompanied pieces, this book is suitable for all diatonic and chromatic harmonicas.
  • mean: Kev also plays a mean harmonica ( Shine ) and banjo.
  • good: Rice Millers Keep My Business, sets off with a good harmonica.

Modifies a noun

  • playing: His harmonica playing, I should add, is excellent, perhaps the best such performance on Thursday nights I've seen.
  • solo: Allan then launched into his harmonica solo, assisted by Tony with special effects.
  • player: At Folk at the Drum I had a harmonica player named Bill join in with Bed Bug Blues.
  • part: As far as I know he has never played in order to get the rights to his contribution for a harmonica part.
  • work: For all his fame Paul's harmonica work is still vastly underrated.
  • legend: He has toured as harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite's guitarist, and appeared with Robert Cray.

Noun used with modifier

  • blue: There is also a move away from the blues harmonica toward more tracks featuring Steve Winwood's Organ playing.
  • glass: The celebrated mad scene will be accompanied by a glass harmonica just as Donizetti intended - but which is rarely heard.
  • bass: With Ray Minhinnett on guitar and vocals, Ian Ellis on bass harmonica and vocals, and Kenny Ward on drums.