Re: [Harp-L] shortly chromatic

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wow, quite a semantic limb you've gone out on Mr. Ross.  If your goal is 
to play Ode To Joy with legato then diatonic harmonica would not be a 
good choice of instruments to play it on.  Intonation is a huge issue 
with diatonic harmonica.  Bent notes, open notes and overblows.  It's 
also an issue with chromatic harmonica.  I could agree that currently 
nobody I am aware of that plays diatonic harmonica is capable of playing 
standard symphonic works at pitch in an orchestral setting. Not and meet 
the criteria of the orchestra's genre.  Corky Siegel does play with 
symphonies but he plays a set piece that is not a standard symphonic 
work.  I'm not convinced that this means that diatonic harmonica can't 
be played chromatically.  Every instrument that I am aware of has many 
severe limitations in terms of what can be played well on the 
instrument.  Diatonic harmonica isn't special or unique in this regard.  fjm