[Harp-L] Tombo chromatics



The Tombo chromatics (both the 17-hole "Folk Young" and the 22-hole "Unica Formal" as seen here: http://www.tombo-m.co.jp/eng/ index.html , then click on "slide chromatic") are NOT variations on solo tuning. The best way to view these harps is in relation to the diatonic Asian forms from which they are derived (neither of which were derived from solo tuning).

The first, the "Folk Young" is a chromatic version of the layout usually used on Asian tremolo harps. These seem to have evolved out of the typical Weiner style layout (with it's German Major Diatonic system) in a way similar to how the "Paddy Richter" layout was formed. The desire seems to have been to emphasis melody and the full V chord in the draw was not something needed, so it was altered with the addition of the sixth to the draw. Usually these don't take the pattern down to the tonic in the bass end of the harp, but if you do so extending the draw down to the second makes sense.

The "Unica Formal" is another beast again. Derived from the "single" style of harmonica commonly used in schools in Japan (and perhaps China as well). Here, instead of a repeating pattern of blow and draw, you get a rather unusual layout, with the sixth and seventh both as draws, and no blow in between (this is not spiral in any way shape or form--much the opposite, as it is a highly irregular layout). The single is really a very different style of harmonica, much like the Weiner, Knittlinger and Richter harps are all different (though those originally shared a tuning system), and the "Unica Formal" is the logical chromatic outgrowth of that--and quite a nice harmonica as well.

For more information about all of this, both better written and better researched, see these pages:

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q15.html

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q36.html

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q23.html

Finally, for information on the Tombo S-50 or the similar Yamaha slideless chromatics:

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q24.html




()() JR "Bulldogge" Ross () () `----'







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