Chamberlain Music is a Department for Education approved supplier for the Musical Instruments, Equipment & Technology Framework
The Suzuki SSCH-56 is a truly revolutionary development in chord harmonica design. Compact, portable and powerful, it offers up to 48 chord options through an innovative slide system—making it the perfect instrument for ensemble work, backing parts, or for adding expressive harmonic colour to your solo performance. Built with Suzuki’s renowned craftsmanship, the SSCH-56 opens up a new world of creative potential for harmonica players looking to explore deeper textures and more varied musical roles.
Unlike diatonic or chromatic harmonicas, which are primarily used for playing melodies, chord harmonicas are designed to produce full chords—such as major, minor, seventh, diminished, and augmented. Played by blowing or drawing across multiple holes at once, they create a rich, resonant sound that’s ideal for accompaniment, ensemble work, or adding harmonic depth to a performance. Suzuki’s range of chord harmonicas incorporates innovative features like slide levers and logical chord layouts, offering easy access to a wide variety of chord combinations in compact, performance-ready designs.
Traditionally, chord harmonicas are large and require two-handed operation, but the SSCH-56's compact design makes it incredibly portable without sacrificing capability. Whether you're switching quickly between accompaniment and solo lines or using hand vibrato techniques that were previously impossible on larger models, this harmonica gives you more control and fluidity in performance than ever before.
Thanks to a highly logical and efficient chord layout, the SSCH-56 enables quick changes from chord to chord, making it ideal for music with frequent key changes or part transitions. The familiar slide mechanism, adapted from chromatic harmonicas, allows you to trigger alternate chords with precision. The lip-position markers on the mouthpiece offer tactile feedback, helping you find your place easily without looking—ideal during fast passages or complex chord changes.
Constructed from high-quality materials including a brass body with a special plating, an ABS resin core, and a silver-plated brass mouthpiece, the SSCH-56 delivers superb tonal clarity and response. Its compact shape allows for expressive effects like hand vibrato and dynamic tonal shifts, while its form makes it easier to mic without needing a dedicated setup—perfect for both live and studio use.
The SSCH-56 comes complete with a durable ABS case, making it easy to store and transport. Whether you’re part of an ensemble or an adventurous soloist, this harmonica provides the flexibility and tonal depth to elevate your sound. Featuring all major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords across a full 14-hole range, it’s a must-have for serious chord harmonica players.
Chamberlain Music is an approved supplier for the DfE Musical Instruments, Equipment, & Technology Framework.
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