Hi,

Exactly how many of you here have ever heard of either the bass harmonica or the chord harmonica? Both are pretty big harmonicas compared to the common smaller ones.

The bass harmonica literally sounds bassy; at times it even sounds like a double bass being bowed.

The chord harmonica is the one that sounds more accordion-like.

You could hear the bass harmonica in the music to the theme song from the 1972-77 NBC TV series Sanford and Son, as well as on the Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds and the Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Both the bass and chord harmonicas were much commonplace while there were such all-harmonica ensembles, including Borrah Minevitch and His Harmonica Rascals.

~Ben

What song on Sgt. Pepper? And i've barely heard of them. Do you know where you can buy them?

Just listen to "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCiG7xoEb2Y

Also: how the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds influenced the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, featuring the bass harmonica:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxoNp73zkFM

~Ben

37.