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The Harmonica for

Celtic-Folk Music

Harmonicas are “open reed”

instruments. The open-reed concept

was first introduced in China

thousands of years ago with an

instrument called the “sheng.” The

sheng is still used in many Chinese

orchestras providing an organ or

accordion like sound.

Single tube “open-reed” (or “free

reed”) flutes were created in an upper

province in ancient China that are

variations of the sheng instruments,

and they are called Bawu Flutes.

Modern Adaptation of the Sheng.

The sounds produced from both

instruments are somewhat flat, solid

sounds without much variation,

though the sheng can produce

interesting effects by playing multiple

pipes at the same time much like an

accordion.

There are variants of the Bawu where

the player blows the air on end of the

tube on reeds down into the tube

which sound like the oboe, clarinet, or

saxophone.

The Bawu, free reed flute with the air blown

down into the tube across the reed. The

Bawu shown above has the opening on the

side.

The flat or “solid” sounds produced

by the open reed are still used

today with “Pitch Pipes.” These

open reed instruments set the

sound for tuning instruments and

for use within vocal music groups

to help all the singers start singing

in the right key.

Modern day Round Pitch Pipe.

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