Hohner Special 20 Harmonica, Key of C

• C chord on the blow, G on the draw
• Complete C scale on holes 4 to 7
• Blues in G in second position
• Recessed plates, plastic comb

Richter tuning was designed, Hohner reminds us, to combine simple chords with single-note folk melodies. On a C Special 20 you hear it right away: blow across several holes and you get C, E, G, the C major chord; draw and you get G, B, D, the G chord. In the centre, holes 4 to 7 lay out the complete C scale, enough to play a simple tune.

Hole 1 blow gives a C4, sixth of the twelve standard keys counting up from the lowest. In second position, on the draw chord, the C Special 20 plays a blues in G.

• Accompanying a song in C
• First single-note tunes
• Blues in G in second position

Other diatonics in C from other makers:

What notes does a C Special 20 play?

On the blow, the notes of the C major chord; on the draw, those of the G chord, with the complete C scale on holes 4 to 7.

Why start with a harmonica in C?

Because the C scale has no sharps or flats: simple tunes read and play without accidentals.

How do I clean a Special 20?

Its comb is plastic: you can take it apart and rinse it gently in warm water, then dry it thoroughly before playing.