Hohner Blues Harp: The Story Behind an Iconic Harmonica

I'm incredibly honoured to be the new face of one of Hohner's legendary harmonicas - the Blues Harp. Here's the new box with a picture of me on the front:

Hohner Blues Harp x Liam Ward

To celebrate being featured on the new Blues Harp, I thought I'd share the history of this truly iconic harmonica.

➡️ Recently I ran a Six Word Harmonica Story competition to win a signed Blues Harp. Check out the inspired (and hilarious) winners here!

What is the Hohner Blues Harp?

The Blues Harp is one of Hohner's most iconic diatonic harmonicas. The term 'blues harp' is also a generic term for 10-hole diatonic harmonicas and as such Hohner's Blues Harp is a household name.

The Hohner Blues Harp has been around since the early 1970s. It was originally very similar to the traditional Marine Band model, but with different cover plates and varnish. Like the Marine Band, it was held together with nails rather than screws.

Over the years, the Blues Harp has become synonymous with the blues harmonica sound. It's popular with beginners and provides an affordable, reliable blues harmonica.

Blues Harp - Nineties Redesign

In the mid-1990s, Hohner revamped the Blues Harp as part of its Modular System (MS) series which also featured the Big River, Pro Harp and Meisterklasse harmonicas. This allowed for interchangeable components—comb, reed plates, and cover plates—across all MS models, enhancing options for customisation and maintenance. The updated Blues Harp MS is physically bigger in size, and features a double-lacquered wood comb, stainless steel cover plates, and 0.9 mm brass reed plates, maintaining its signature bluesy sound while offering improved durability and flexibility.

Has the Hohner Blues Harp been updated in 2025?

No, the Blues Harp remains the same MS harmonica it has been for decades now. Hohner have, however, changed their harmonica packaging. In the last year they have created new boxes and cases for all their classic models of harmonica, including the Blues Harp, which they asked me to appear on. Of course I said yes!

Hohner Blues Harp - Amazon links

The following links will redirect to your own country's version of the Amazon site. If you buy through one of these links, I receive a small commission.

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of G - https://amzn.to/3VtK8Za

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of Ab - https://amzn.to/42qTNlR

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of A - https://amzn.to/4fjzBHi

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of Bb - https://amzn.to/3BpiNk6

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of B - https://amzn.to/3PUINaz

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of C - https://amzn.to/40ISoaQ

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of Db - https://amzn.to/4jD18GJ

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of D - https://amzn.to/4gt5bmU

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of Eb - https://amzn.to/4f9UV1O

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of E - https://amzn.to/4feeKoB

Hohner Blues Harp - Key of F - https://amzn.to/4gsnGHV

The 'Six Word Harmonica Story' Competition

To celebrate being the new face of the Blues Harp, I recently hosted a competition to win a new Hohner Blues Harp signed by me. All the entrants had to do was write a Six Word Harmonica Story by completing the following:

“Bought a harmonica. ___ ___ ___.”

I was absolutely astounded by the amount of people who entered; over 400 entries!

In the end, I chose the following as the winner:

“Bought a harmonica. Then Won One.” S. Flynn

I liked that it was a bit cheeky and harnessed the power of positive thinking.

Here are my top 50 entries - for data protection I've only put partial names for the authors; if you want to claim the entry as your own and are happy to have your full name on it then let me know in the comments!

Also, let me know your favourites - or any late entries - in the comment.

2. Bought a harmonica. Fought a harmonica. - Dan R

3. Bought a harmonica. Please send help. - @zaidgittens

4. Bought a harmonica. Jobless homeless happy - @arti_artur

5. Bought a harmonica. Two draw broken - Sean D C

6. Bought a harmonica, blue my mind - Alan B

7. Bought a harmonica. Learning to reed - Stefano D

8. Bought a harmonica. Motorcycle too expensive - A O

9. Bought a harmonica. I blew it! - Patrick R

10. Bought a harmonica. It’s Liam’s fault - Philip B

11. Bought harmonica. Big, small pleasure. - Jan P

12. Bought a harmonica, need new hat - John M

13. Bought a harmonica, I still suck - Andy W

14. Bought a harmonica. Chords over chores - Artur S

15. Bought a harmonica, to honor Grandma. - @allenmccann2987

16. Bought a harmonica, time stands still. - Justin S

17. Bought a harmonica. 'Hohnering' my skills - Rosie M

18. Bought a harmonica - stole it actually. - Ian F

19. Bought a harmonica. Inserted, farting tunes - Mark C

20. Bought a Harmonica. My lips hurt. - Logan S

21. Bought a harmonica, need eleven more - @sckaatran ALSO Bought a harmonica. NEED ELEVEN MORE - Jerry M

22. Bought a harmonica. Please don’t disturb - Sandro L

23. Bought a harmonica. Wife blown away. - Chris E

24. Bought a harmonica for better health! - Carmel K

25. Bought a harmonica. Suck, blow, squeak. - Dawn D

26. Bought a harmonica. Always with me - Don C

27. Bought a harmonica. Memories of Dad. - Lynn H

28. Bought a harmonica. At long last - Gilles L

29. Bought a harmonica. Found my sound - Pete H

30. Bought a harmonica. My fascination began! - Peter O`D

31. Bought a harmonica. Loving music again. - Ray P

32. Bought a harmonica. Now I’m complete. - Adam A

33. Bought a harmonica and quit cigarettes. - Kevin W

34. Bought a harmonica. My guitar weeps - Mike O’B

35. Bought a harmonica. Our Monica fled - Simon O

36. Bought a harmonica. Must be mad. - Richard and Helen B

37. Bought a harmonica. Made babies cry. - @ajoseph86

38. Bought a harmonica, changed my life! - Matt Y

39. Bought a harmonica, plays like heaven! - Slawomir N

40. Bought a harmonica, named it Veronica - Doug S

41. Bought a harmonica, became magic Dick! - Bob H

42. Bought a harmonica, my soul sings - Chris W

43. Bought a harmonica, never looked back. - Chris F

44. Bought a harmonica, husband’s ears bleed - Paula B

45. Bought a harmonica - neighbours hate me! - Andrea L

46. Bought a harmonica. Immediately got addicted - Arti A

47. Bought a harmonica. Breath much better - Beppe S

48. Bought a harmonica - kids moved out - Kate W

49. Bought a harmonica: best choice EVER - Pam L

50. Bought a harmonica. Hohner of course! - Robert D

AND FINALLY… here’s my own entry:

Bought a harmonica. Groupies are overrated. - Liam ‘Blues Harp’ Ward

Psst! If you feel like this competition entrant who said 'Bought a harmonica. Help me learn!*' why not join my school? We're a friendly bunch I promise and we'd love to have you join us. You can try a free trial today - learn more by clicking here.  

*Credit to Heather S