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📚 Table of Contents
- Vintage Hohner Echo Tremolo – Restoration Case Study by Cathal Johnson
This Hohner Echo tremolo harmonica arrived in a heavily compromised condition. It is a German-made vintage instrument from Hohner’s long-running Echo tremolo line, with pinned construction, early-style covers, and the familiar Hohner medal stamping… - The Dannecker Legacy: Craft, Lineage, and the Harmonicas That Remain
There are harmonicas that are bought. And then there are harmonicas that are kept, the kind that feel less like an object and more like a small, precise instrument that has found its true voice… - Seydel Session Steel Orchestra – Low Tunings
At Harmonicas Ireland, I’m delighted to offer a limited batch of Seydel Session Steel Orchestra harmonicas – all in as-new condition, expertly refurbished and individually fine-tuned for players who love a deep, expressive low register at seriously low prices!! - The Case for Expanding Basic Income for the Arts
There’s a quiet heartbreak many of us felt when the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot launched in 2022. I was among the thousands who applied, qualified, and were deemed eligible. - The Second Wind – How I Restore and Reawaken Quality Harmonicas
The Second Wind: How I Restore and Reawaken Quality Harmonicas There’s something ghostly and golden about a second-hand harmonica. Sometimes they arrive worn, silent, maybe with a cracked comb. Other times, they arrive in… - Harmonicas from the Heart of Galway – Discovering the Distinctive Models of Hohner’s Loughrea Factory
Hohner Harmonica Models Produced in Loughrea Photographic evidence confirms several distinctive harmonica models were manufactured at the Loughrea facility, offering valuable insights into the factory’s range, branding, and export strategy: Lancer Harmonica – A diatonic… - The Lost Legacy of Hohner’s Irish Harmonicas: The Loughrea Factory
For decades, harmonica players across the world have recognised Hohner as a leading name in harmonicas. But what many may not know is that for… - Refurbished Harmonicas: A Quality Money Saving Ecofriendly Harmonica Option
When it comes to musical instruments, harmonicas hold a special place in the hearts of musicians around the world. Small, portable, and capable of producing an… - The Art of Tongue Blocking – Essential Techniques for Harmonica Players
Photo credit: Experimental studies by Drs. Henry T. Bahnson and James F. Antaki, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Surgery. Conducted around 1992, their mission was to explore what happens inside the mouth while playing the… - Getting Started: Part 3 of 3 – How to Choose Your First Tremolo Harmonica
Welcome to the last instalment in our three-part series on selecting the right harmonica. If you’ve already explored the world of… - Getting Started: Part 2 of 3 – Choosing Your First Chromatic Harmonica
Embarking on the journey of playing the chromatic harmonica opens a world of musical possibilities. At Harmonicas Ireland, we specialize in offering a… - Getting Started: Part 1 of 3 – How to Choose Your First Diatonic Harmonica
Embarking on a harmonica journey opens the door to a world of music. With its portability and expressive sound, the harmonica suits… - A Harmonica Maestro’s Finest Work – Reviewing Gather Your Wits by Tom Byrne
Tom Byrne’s Gather Your Wits is a masterclass in harmonica and accordion playing and composition, blending traditional Irish music with innovative arrangements… - Collectible Harmonicas: Why Are They Collectible?
Harmonicas, much like rare coins, vintage stamps or antique musical instruments, can hold significant value for collectors. Their worth often extends beyond just being instruments where they are pieces… - Are Harmonica Influencers Spreading Misinformation?
A Critical Look at Early YouTube Adopters and Influencers by Cathal Johnson BA in Applied Music, Certified Hohner Technician and Founder of Harmonicas Ireland Introduction The harmonica world may seem small compared to mainstream music… - How to Clean Your Harmonicas
By Cathal Johnson, Harmonicas Ireland. How to Clean Chromatic, Tremolo and Diatonic Harmonicas. To properly clean or sanitize a chromatic harmonica—especially one assembled with nails, like Hohner’s 260 and 270 chromatics, the Marine… - Revive Your Blues Harp – Expert Harmonica Repairs by Harmonicas Ireland
Diatonic Blues Harps: Repair Over Replacement. In the world of diatonic harmonicas, the quest for the mythical unbreakable instrument can feel like a never-ending wait. Cathal Johnson from Harmonicas Ireland has the solution: play to… - Host a Harmonica Workshop – Bring Music to Your Event!
Looking for an engaging, fun, and educational activity to add to your event lineup? Our Harmonica Workshop offers a unique and interactive experience… - Phantom Ghost Notes and Audio Illusions – Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Harmonica Sound
The harmonica is often viewed as a simple, linear instrument, with notes laid out in a clear, sequential order. Many assume it behaves like a flute or piano, where… - Why You Should Avoid Soaking Your Harmonicas
As a harmonica player, you’re bound to come across various tips and tricks from other musicians on how to care for your instrument. One common suggestion that persists… - The Importance of Warming Up Your Harmonica Before Playing
Warming up harmonicas before playing is a practice that, while often overlooked, is essential for maintaining optimal performance and longevity of the instrument. This routine helps prevent various issues that can arise from the interaction… - Special Custom Tuning for Harmonicas – Part 3 of 3: The Major 7th or Country
The harmonica’s versatility is largely driven by its many tunings, and one of the most distinctive is Major 7th or Country Tuning. Particularly suited for genres like country, folk, and bluegrass, this tuning offers bright,… - Special Custom Tuning for Harmonicas – Part 2 of 3: Easy Third Tuning
Discover the Magic of Easy Third Tuning for Melodic Harmonica Playing. For harmonica enthusiasts eager to expand their melodic playing in styles like Irish music, folk tunes, funk, reggae, and minor blues, Easy Third Tuning… - Special Custom Tuning for Harmonicas – Part 1 of 3: The Paddy Richter Tuning
Paddy Richter Tuning is a specialised variant of the traditional Richter tuning commonly used on diatonic harmonicas (Special 20, Marine Band Classic 1896, Pro Harp, Blues Harp, Rocket Low, …). Named by New Zealander harmonica… - The Harmonicas Ireland Workshop at the Howth Roots & Blues Festival
The Harmonicas Ireland Workshop at the Howth Roots & Blues Festival was an exhilarating experience that captured the essence of communal music-making and harmonica mastery. Held against the scenic backdrop of Howth, the workshop blended… - Creating an Optimal Chromatic Harmonica for Irish Traditional Music Ornamentation
Creating an optimal chromatic harmonica for Irish Traditional Music (ITM) ornamentation involves tuning considerations and understanding historical and stylistic nuances. - Upcoming Event: Celebrate Lúnasa in Oranmore on 10th August 2024
Join Jacqueline McCarthy, Tommy Keane, Mick Conneely, and Fintan O’ to celebrate Lúnasa in Oranmore on 10th August 2024. - Harmonica Recital at Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay
Cathal Johnson invites you to a special Harmonica Recital with a stellar lineup of performers at the Willie Clancy Summer School. - Harmonicas Ireland is Holding a Free Harmonica Workshop in Dublin
Join Cathal Johnson at The Smokin’ Stage in Dublin on 9th August 2024 for a free harmonica workshop with performance and teaching. - Harmonica Masters Workshops 2024
Explore a wide-ranging workshop program with world-class instructors, including Mattias Bogefors and George Rejinders. - The Fixer
A short documentary profiling Cathal Johnson’s work as a harmonica player and technician. - Patrick Bergin and the Dominic Street Ramblers
Patrick Bergin and the Dominic Street Ramblers perform at the Free Reed Gathering in Cloughjordan on 28th September. - Harmonica Recital at Black Gate Cultural Centre for Culture Night
Join Cathal Johnson and Stephen Simmonds for a harmonica recital and discussion at the Black Gate Cultural Centre on 21st September. - Galway Sessions Harmonica Festival Review
A review of the Galway Sessions Harmonica Festival, featuring performances and community celebrations. - Galway Sessions Tin Sandwich Festival
Renowned actor Patrick Bergin launches the Galway Sessions Tin Sandwich Festival Programme in May 2018. - Free Reed Gathering
A weekend of open-air concerts at Cloughjordan Amphitheatre featuring artists like Andy Irvine, Don Baker, and Brendan Power. - John Murray Show
Catch Cathal Johnson discussing harmonica repairs and workshops on RTE’s John Murray show. - Breathing New Life into the Harmonica
An article featuring an interview with Cathal Johnson about his harmonica workshop for The Sunday Times. - Eddie Clarke Fashion
Discover the first recording played on a custom D C-sharp chromatic harmonica in Eddie Clarke’s legendary style. - Renewable and Environmental Award for Cathal Johnson Harmonicas
Cathal Johnson Harmonicas wins an award in the ‘Renewable and Environmental’ category at Louth Enterprise.
