Yeah..stupid question but uh, what are the parts of a harmonica called?
I've heard some stuff about like..a comb or something, and I'm thinking of what you brush hair with and...yeah...confused.
Comb: Made from plastic, wood or metal. This is the main body of the harmonica, to which the reed plates and coverplates are attached. This is the part the makes the "holes."
Reed Plates: Usually made from brass, these are the plates with the reeds on them, as the name suggests. They attach directly to the comb.
Coverplates: Usually metal (stainless steel or plated with chrome or nickel), these are what protect the reeds and form the resonance chambers. They attach to the comb but sit on top of the reed plates.
Reeds: Made of the same material as the reed plates (with very few exceptions), These are attached to (and/or cut from) the reed plates, and, like any wind instrument, are what provides the sound-producing vibrations.
As mentioned above, the comb makes the holes. When the reed plates are attached, they seal on the top and bottom of the comb. The plastic combs seal better than the wood ones since they won't swell when they get damp (all that spit). A well sealed harp is easier to play since all the air you breath in or out goes over the reeds and doesn't escape around the sides of the comb. Since the reeds are attached to the reed plates and the holes are sealed by the reed plates, the only way for the air to escape is past the reeds which produces sound as the reeds vibrate.