[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 29, Issue 31 (Chordomonicas)

[MilwHarmonica@xxxxxxx]

Hello, Larryboy and FJM. This is John Broecker, Milwaukee Harmonica Club.  
Here's more information about the Hohner Chordiominicas I and II, invented by  
Chinese-born American citizen Cham-Ber Huang for the Hohner harmonica company,  
around 1960. They were discontinued by Hohner around 1983-'85. They are no  
longer made. The Chordomonicas were 12-hole diatonics with slide button(s). 
They  are not slide chromatics.
 
Mr. Huang claimed that the instrument(s) would be easy for absolute  
beginners on the harmonica, because chords were available on most notes  of a scale. 
You could play single notes, chords, or single notes with  chords. The Chordos 
were sold in 5 keys: F, C, G, A and E. The  key of C  Chordomonica I, with one 
slide, had four chords of C (blow, button out,  anywhere on the C harp); G7 
(draw, button out); F (blow, button in); and D#  diminished 7th (draw, button 
in). The Chordo II in the key of C had the above  listed chords, plus A minor 
(blow, slide 2 in); and D minor 7th (draw, button 2  in).
 
The Chordomonicas had wood combs, and were an ingenoius design. I have  3  
Chordomionica II harps in the key of C. One is working, one has a  cracked comb, 
and one has no comb. They are excellent for gospel or folk music,  and 
probably for other styles, as well. I've heard that they are great for  jazz.
 
The 3rd Chordomonica Larryboy listed is not a Chordomonica. It's a 48 Chord  
Harmonica, made by Hohner. It has a long history, dating back to the early  
1930s, when harmonica orchestras were very popular. It serves as the "rhythm  
section" of a harmonica band. It is not normally used to play melodies as the  
chordomonicas do, but a chord harp performer can play melodies with chord  
accompaniment. The Chordos have at most 6 chords available, but the chord  
harmonica has 8 times that many (48). The 48 chord harmonica is a very important  
part of any harmonica ensemble, even today. It's still made by Hohner, Suzuki  
and Huang harmonica companies. 
 
If you're asking if you should buy a Chordomonica, I'd say, yes, if you're  a 
harmonica collector, and yes, if you have a use for one as a performer.  
Chordomonicas are no longer made, so replacement parts are very difficult to  
find. The Chordos probably sell for at least $200 today, if you can find  one.
I hope this information is useful. John  Broecker.