[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 28, Issue 66 (Seydel Hochlandsklange vs. Hohner Johnny)

[MilwHarmonica@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 12/22/2005 8:30:55 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx writes:

_http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.storefront/?ObjectID=3599&Locale=en_GB
_ 
(http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.storefront/?ObjectID=3599&Locale=en_GB) 
To Colin Fulton, from HOJO: the above website will get you directly to the  
Seydel Hochlandsklange harmonica technical details. Thanks to Laurent Vigouroux 
 at Planet Harmonica and Michael Timler at Seydel, for correcting my old 
website  address for Seydel.
 
First, let's define the harmonica terms, "hole" and "cell."  According  to 
the Hohner literature, 
when used on a tremolo or octave harp (two reeds per note), the word "hole"  
is a set of two adjacent "cells," one a blow cell, and the other a draw cell.  
Each cell contains two reeds, either blow or draw. I prefer the Hohner  
definition of holes containing two cells, one blow, 
one draw. It allows me to compare the "holes" of a tremolo or octave harp  
with the holes 
of a single reed 10-hole diationic.
 
On a tremolo or octave or Hochlandsklange, the result is the same playing  
technique as 
on a single reed diatonic harp. But on a single reed diatonic, there  is no 
automatic tremolo 
or octave (or 2-part) effect. The Hochlandsklange chart lists 20  holes, each 
containing 2 reeds, either blow or draw, which Hohner would call  cells. 
Hohner would list 10 holes, each containing 4 reeds, 2 blow and 2 draw  (like a 
10-hole single reed diatonic). The final result would be the same, a  40-reed 
harmonica for the tremolo, octave or Hochlandsklange. 
 
I haven't received my Hochlandsklange yet, so the answer to your question  
will be only from the note chart provided at the Seydel website.You asked if the 
 two reeds in a hole are pitched like a tremolo harp (no), like an octave 
harp  (no), or 2-part melodic (yes).
 
"Hole" 1 on the Hochlandsklange note chart has two reeds blow, G and B (B  in 
German spelling, Bb in world spelling). the Hochlandsklange's chart "hole" 2  
has two draw reeds, 
A and C. "Hole" 3 has blow reeds B (Bb) and D. "Hole" 4 has draw notes C  and 
E. Hole 5 has blow B (Bb) and G. Hole 6 has draw D and F#. Hole 7 has blow G  
and B (Bb).
 
These note distances in "holes" 1-7 are called intervals of thirds (the  
distance between the notes in each hole is 3 notes of a scale. Thirds are  
important harmonies in most European and American music. The thirds tuning  continues 
through hole 7, then the interval of hole 8 is 
a fifth, blow D and A. Thirds continue in holes 9 through 12, hole 13 has  an 
interval of a sixth: B (H in German spelling) to G. Hole has D and  
F#(thirds). Holes 15 through 19 have sixths, hole 20 has thirds. Sixths are an  
important harmony pattern in European and American music. I hope this isn't  
confusing.
 
To Conrad Gleich: The Hohner "Johnny" harp may have had a similar or  
identical note placement setup as the Seydel "Hochlandsklange." I don't know. I  read 
about the "Johnny"
in old Hohner literature, deigned for the European market. As far as I  know, 
the "Johnny" was never sold in the USA. The Johnny has been discontinued  for 
many years. I tried ordering one from a French harp player about 3-4 years  
ago, and he said that it was discontinued.
At the time, I knew nothing about the harp, but I wanted a harp that had my  
name on it.
 
About 2-3 months ago, a discussion of the Hochlandsklange popped up in a  
harp chat group, comparing it to the Johnny. I can't remember if it was in  
Harp-L, or another group. I think the 
author was either Winslow Yerxa or Pat Missin. Both have websites that you  
can go to. For Pat Missin, go to HarpOn! I don't know Winslow's website, but 
you  can find it in the Harp-L archives. The conclusion of the author of the 
article  was that the Johnny might be the same setup as the Hochlandsklange, but 
he  didn't know.
 
That's all for now. HOJO (John Broecker).