I am interested in Blues-, Rock-, Pop- or Folk-music.

>Sound examples

Diatonic harmonicas with 10 holes (most common models). On all of the instruments from this series all missing semi-tones can be played by using special techniques (Bending and Overblow). This requires a different way of playing compared to the classical approach of playing the harmonica (Playing in different playing positions).

Therefore the 10-hole models became a central stylistic element of Blues music, that's why it is commonly named "Blues-Harp", "Blues Harmonica" or simply "Harp". In contrast to the Chromatic Harmonica these models are tuned in the so called Richter tuning, that allows full chord accompaniment by using tongue-techniques.

The classical Blues-harmonica players swear by the traditional wooden combed models, which on all SEYDEL models, is totally sealed and does not swell at all. Many players prefer plastic combs - or even plastic combs with recessed reedplates (SESSION/SESSION STEEL) which prevent the lips from getting in touch with the metallic reedplates. The aluminum combs of the Favorite and those of the 1847 NOBLE series are anodized. This prevents them tasting of metal. Aluminum combs are very airtight and produce a very brilliant and clear sound.

The top model among the blues harmonicas is the 1847 LIGHTNING, which is a real "heavyweight" in the blues scene with its polished stainless steel body - many players swear by the great feel and balanced sound of the polished stainless steel reeds.

Besides the Richter-tuned instruments from the Blues series we offer the solo-tuned >ORCHESTRA S in the same versatile 10-hole shape. The ORCHESTRA S is especially made for melody players but also does a good job in Minor Blues (3rd position)!

The SOLIST PRO 12 STEEL model with 12 channels with three full octaves in solo tuning is available in the most common keys. 

>1847 CLASSIC Low and 1847 NOBLE Low  are available in extra-low Richter tunings ranging from LF# down to LLE (double low E) and provide a very sonoric bass sound.

SEYDEL is the only manufacturer to offer instruments with stainless steel reeds: The harmonica reed is a spring, and stainless steel makes a better spring than brass, plus provides about 5-times longer life than brass reeds. 

If you don't know which key you need for a particular piece of music, please click >here .

I'm interested in Classical music, Jazz or Folk, etc. and I want to play melodies in all keys (with limited chord accompaniment)

>Sound examples

Chromatic harmonicas (mostly) have a slider that is used to open additional holes containing the missing notes of a diatonic instrument; if you press the slider button the instruments sounds one semi-tone higher in pitch (C is raised to C#, etc.). Therefore it is possible to play chromatically. With a lot of exercise you can manage to play in any key on these instruments.

That's why the Chromatic harmonica can be used in any musical style, ranging from Classical to Pop and Jazz. As the result of its note-arrangement (Solo-Tuning) it is possible to play a chord accompaniment using the tongue-block technique - in contrast to the Richter tuned instruments the draw chord is not the Dominant Seventh chord, but a Minor6 chord. That's why the chromatic models can be termed as playable with 'limited chord accompaniment'.

The offered models on the one hand differ from the material the comb is made of (Plastic, Acrylic glass or coated aluminum) but also from the material we use for making the reeds. All models from the DE LUXE series with brass reeds are suited for beginners and advanced players. The DE LUXE STEEL has durable steel reeds and is available in many different keys besides standard C. Due to the stainless steel reeds we include in the instruments of the VOLCANY & SAXONY-series these instruments have an extraordinary good tone response and a really full sound.

The top model SYMPHONY is available with four octaves (SYMPHONY 64) or as SYMPHONY 48 with 3 octaves range, even with polished reeds. The SYMPHONY models have been completely redesigned and are without equal in terms of airtightness and tonal balance.

The NONSLIDER Chromatic has no slide, but a double row mouthpiece. It offers great new playing possibilities that have been sought in vain on other chromatic harmonicas (e.g. bending tones).

If you play your Chromatics mostly in C and do not use the slider very often, the >SAMPLER might be the right instrument for you. The design is the same like our DE LUXE STEEL model, but it comes in two different keys (similar to the double-tremolos!) that can be accessed by using the slider - e.g. the keys of C and G.

SEYDEL is the only harmonica maker who offer instruments with stainless steel reeds, which offer a loud and controllable tone and an up to 5-fold longer lifetime compared to brass reeds.

I'm interested in traditional tunes, folksongs or Irish Folk and want to play with self-accompaniment and the typical beating Tremolo sound

>Sound examples

Tremolo models: The FANFARE-S (Stainless Steel reeds, Solo-tuning) is built similar to a chromatic harmonica, but without the slider. The air-consumption is optimized to a minimum. The SAILOR STEEL (as well with Stainless Steel reeds, Richter-tuning) has two rows of holes at the mouthpiece. Four holes in a square represent a draw and a blow note. The Richter tuning in particular is well suited to play melody plus self-accompaniment at once by using the tongue-block technique.

The SKYDIVER STEEL TREMOLO offers a subtle and sweet tremolo sound and is tuned in Solo-like tuning, especially well known in Asia.

The three models provide the popular tremolo-sound:

The Tremolo-principle:

Due to two reeds tuned slightly different from each other and working at once the typical beating sound of a Tremolo harmonica is produced (Wiener tuning - which reminds on of a Styrian accordion).

I am interested in Folk music, "simple" songs, Cajun music or Irish folk with or without playing self-accompaniment and full sounding ocatve-sound

>Sound examples

In Octave-harmonicas (also called Knittlinger-tuned harmonicas) two reeds work at once if you blow or draw a note. These are tuned to produce octaves thus producing a very full sound. Both of our Octav models have ergonomically rounded combs made of maintainable plastic and rounded covers made of stainless steel.

The CONCERTO is tuned like the harmonicas from the Blues series (Richter tuning) and therefore can be played with chord accompaniment (tongue block style). The CONCERTO can be played with little effort because of the built in valves and can be played with little air-consumption. The Concerto is available in many different keys.

The CLUB is tune in solo-tuning and suited for all kinds of melodies.

The Octave-prinziple:

On Octave harmonicas two reeds sound at once if you play a single note and those reeds are tuned to perfect octaves so you get a full and rich sound that is loud enough to stand out in a crowd of singers.