HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica vs Harmonica University
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica
This app helps you learn the diatonic harmonica faster with real-time pitch recognition and interactive music theory tools. Visualize notes, explore various tunings and scales, and record your playing to improve your skills.
- Real-time pitch recognition
- Diatonic harmonica note visualization
- Interactive Circle of Fifths
- Support for 8 Diatonic tunings
- Support for 7 Chromatic tunings
- 18 Scales and 5 Chord types
- Audio recorder (30 seconds)
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HarpNinja - Learn harmonica faster! Pitch recognition + easy music theory HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica is a diatonic harmonica version of its big brother app HarpNinja. It includes just the essential tuning and music theory features for easy access on your smartphone or tablet wherever you may be. The user interface is designed to scale from small smartphones (5"++ recommended minimum) to tablets and to desktops. *** Reviews of HarpNinja: 1. Bluesharmonica.com http://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpninja 2. Bluestime.it http://www.bluestime.it/harpninja.html Please Note: HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SCREEN SIZE would be at least a 5" screen smartphone. Anything below this size would really be too small to be useful. If you have technical issues please contact me direct or via the support forum. HarpNinja supports your harmonica learning independent of whatever method you are using. It has two modes. Real time pitch recognition shows you what you play. Harmonica mode is where you can visualize all the notes on a diatonic (10-hole) harmonica. Select from 8 commonly available Diatonic tunings (Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melody maker, Country, Diminished, Powerbender, or Suzuki Ultrabend Sub30) or 7 Chromatic Tunings (Standard/Solo, Bebop, C6, C6 Bebop, Diminished, Augmented, or Whole Tone), all 12 Keys, 18 Scales, and 5 Chord types (Maj, Min, 7th, Aug, Dim). You can also switch the display between notes or music intervals. Play your harmonica and the Real time pitch recognition highlights the notes on screen. An audio recorder also allows you to record up to 30 second segments to hear your own playing. Interactive Circle of Fifths makes music theory easy. Circle of Fifths mode is an interactive Circle of Fifth’s specially adapted for harmonica. The Circle of Fifth’s is a well known music theory tool for working out chord and scale relationships. Settings mode is where you can adjust all the harmonica and application settings, in addition to checking the integrated news feed and any errors. Please see the website help and tutorials for more guidance: http://www.harpninja.com/wp/faqhelp/ http://www.harpninja.com/wp/video-help/
Harmonica University
Master the diatonic harmonica with structured lessons, songs, and exercises. This app guides beginners to advanced players through essential techniques, blues styles, and improvisation.
- Step-by-step lessons
- Harmonica tabs and videos
- Riffs, licks, and songs
- Blues harmonica techniques
- Improvisation training
- Practice tools
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Want to learn how to play the harmonica? Harmonica University is the ultimate harmonica learning app for beginners, intermediate players, and advanced musicians. Whether you want to play blues, rock, folk, country, jazz or modern styles, this all-in-one platform gives you everything you need to master the harmonica faster. Created by a professional session harmonica player and teacher, Harmonica University combines step-by-step lessons, songs, sheet music, riffs, exercises, tablature, videos, and practice tools into one powerful learning system. If you’ve always wanted to learn harmonica but didn’t know where to start, this app makes it simple, structured, and fun. Follow a clear learning path that teaches the essential skills every harmonica player needs: • Harmonica basics and beginner techniques • Playing clean single notes and great tone • Blues harmonica fundamentals • Bending notes (the most important blues technique) • Harmonica breathing techniques • Rhythm, groove, and timing • Improvisation and jamming • Riffs, licks, and classic harmonica phrases • Playing songs on harmonica • Scales and music theory for harmonica players • Instrument maintenance and customization Whether you're picking up a harmonica for the first time or leveling up your skills, Harmonica University gives you a clear roadmap to follow. Massive Library of Harmonica Lessons: Inside the app you’ll find a growing collection of lessons covering... • Beginner harmonica lessons • Blues harmonica training • Harmonica riffs and licks • Songs and practice exercises • Beatbox harmonica techniques • Improvisation training • Music theory for harmonica • Bending mastery • Advanced techniques like overblows and overdraws Lessons include audio, video, tabs, and detailed explanations so you always know exactly what to play. Easy-to-Read Harmonica Tabs: Learn songs, riffs, and solos quickly using clear harmonica tablature (tabs). Tabs show exactly which holes to play and when, making it one of the easiest ways to start playing real music on harmonica. Unlike generic music apps, Harmonica University is designed specifically for harmonica players. Features include: • Audio demonstrations and play-along tracks • Clear and detailed harmonica tabs • Technique breakdowns and exercises • Structured lesson paths • Song-based learning so you can start making music quickly Learn Blues Harmonica: The harmonica is famous for its soulful blues sound. Learn how to bend notes, play blues scales, create expressive riffs, and improvise over blues progressions. Perfect For: • Complete beginners learning their first harmonica • Intermediate players improving tone and technique • Musicians adding harmonica to their skill set • Blues lovers who want to master blues harmonica • Anyone who wants to jam, improvise, or write riffs Download Harmonica University today and level up big time. INFORMATION ABOUT THE APP AND PURCHASE OPTIONS By signing up, you will get access to subscription(s) that include features such as progress tracking, and offline sync. The download of Harmonica University is free of charge. Should you use Harmonica University app to access in-app content, we offer one of the following options: Subscription based plan(s) - a recurring payment will be charged to your credit card after the trial period ends and when a subscription renews. A subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period. There is no increase in price when renewing. Subscription(s) can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in the App Store after purchase. One-time purchase based plan(s) - a payment will be charged to your credit card only once. Read our full Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy: https://passion.io/terms-of-service https://passion.io/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Harmonica University at 75% against HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica's 29%. Harmonica University also leads on price (Free vs $19.99) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months). HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 28) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Harmonica University is free to download; HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica costs $19.99 up front. Harmonica University sells 28 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica asks for nothing beyond the download.
HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica ships an update every 9 months, Harmonica University every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica | Harmonica University |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 3.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #193 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 130 MB | 91 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sonicviz | Music Box Music LLC |
Customer experience
HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica
Harmonica University
In-app purchases
HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica
No in-app purchases
Harmonica University
- Hobbyist14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Bendr Monthly$9.991 Month
- Bryn Fan$10.001 Month
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- Starter7 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Harmonica Only$19.991 Month
- Harmonica Mastery$19.991 Month
- Monthly Membership$19.991 Month
- Omega$25.001 Month
- Macro (monthly) 30-day$29.001 Month
- Standard7 Days trial$29.991 Month
- PRO14 Days trial$29.991 Month
- Beginner$29.991 Month
- BENDR Subscription14 Days trial$29.991 Month
- BENDR Special Offer$29.991 Month
- Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Month
- Elite7 Days trial$49.991 Month
- Advanced$49.991 Month
- Bryn Fan (annual)$60.001 Year
- Annual$97.001 Year
- Annual Membership$99.001 Year
- BENDR Annual$99.001 Year
- Harmonica Only (annual)$196.991 Year
- Annual DIY$196.991 Year
- Omega (annual)$229.001 Month
- Macro (30-day trial)$229.001 Year
- Beginners Course Bundle$97.00
- Intermediate Bundle$196.99
- Gold Course Bundle$299.00
Questions
Is HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica free?
Is Harmonica University free?
Do HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica or Harmonica University have ads?
Which is updated more often, HarpNinja Diatonic Harmonica or Harmonica University?
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