Q 01/05

By what other name is the harmonica commonly known?

A) Melodica

B) Jew's harp

C) Mouth organ

D) Ocarina

Answer · why

C) Mouth organ

Mouth organ says what it is, a tiny reed organ blown by mouth; the American South called it a French harp or just a harp, the name blues players still...

Q 02/05

Which Beatle played the harmonica riff that opens 'Love Me Do'?

A) George Harrison

B) John Lennon

C) Paul McCartney

D) Ringo Starr

Answer · why

B) John Lennon

John Lennon played it, which is why Paul McCartney sings the title line alone: producer George Martin handed it to him in the studio because the harmo...

Q 03/05

How many holes does the standard blues harp have?

A) Four

B) Ten

C) Twenty-four

D) Forty-eight

Answer · why

B) Ten

Ten holes span three octaves, but the lowest one skips two notes of the scale so that the bottom holes sound full chords under a tune.

Q 04/05

What do harmonica players call a note sounded by breathing in rather than blowing?

A) A pull note

B) A draw note

C) A sip note

D) A back note

Answer · why

B) A draw note

A draw note sounds a second reed tucked into the same hole as the blow reed, which is how a pocket-sized instrument fits in nearly twice as many notes...

Q 05/05

What is a harmonica reed typically made of?

A) Brass

B) Cane

C) Silver

D) Nylon

Answer · why

A) Brass

Brass reeds are riveted at one end over a slot; the free end swings through it, blocking and unblocking the airway, and that chopped stream of air is ...