Re: [Harp-L] Newbie



Before you take up the harmonica, you need to decide what type of music you wish to play. Your gradndfather's harmonicas may not be the ones that you would choose to begin serious study. That said, it is unlikely that they are so valuable that you should not enjoy playing them and learning basic skills such as playing a single note.

If you aspire to play blues, the music most often heard in TV commercials and in nightclubs, then you will choose a "Richter-tuned" diatonic harmonica ($20 up) that facilitates the bending and chords that are characteristic of that genre. Diatonics are available in all keys. The diatonics will play only the diatonic scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, & ti) and even the "fa" and "la" are missing from the low octave. With practice, diatonic players can use their embouchure to cause reeds to vibrate at other than their natural frequency and obtain the "fa" & "la" in the low octave as well as certain other halftones not in the diatonic scale. Most diatonic players play "by-ear"...that is they imitate what they hear others play. After long practice, virtuosos have overcome many of the diatonic characteristics that beginners find limiting.

If you aspire to play classical, jazz, big-band, and similar ganre's, you will choose a chromatic harmonica ( $100 up)that easily plays all of the notes found on the piano keyboard. Pressing a button on a chromatic switches from the "white-key" notes to the "black-key" notes. Learning to play chromatic is much more like learning to play other types of musical instruments such as flute or clarinet/sax. Although many play the chromatic "by ear", it also facilitates music reading. Chromatics have very limited chording possibilities compared to diatonics and sound best accompanied by a band/orchestra or another polyphonic instrument such as guitar or keyboard.

The best harmonica artists play both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas and there is no reason that you cannot eventually do so as well. The instrument that you choose as a starter should depend on the type of music that you aspire to play first.

The "Echo" that you have is a diatonic in that it will not play sharps and flats not in the key signature of its key. However it is probably is not "Richter tuned" and is not suitable for blues because it will not bend notes and it does not have a draw chord. Echo harps have pairs of reeds tuned slightly differently to produce a pleasant vibrato. Players of diatonics and chromatics must practice to produce a vibrato. Echos are are suitable for simple, traditional tunes.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Cooper" <rtlemurs@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 8:52 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Newbie



Hello all! I want to apologize in advance for any formatting errors. I'm new to this "mail list" thing and it may take a few questions and emails before I get things properly adjusted.

I don't want to babble on but feel a little history maybe needed. After three days research online, most every harmonica site I visited highly recommended you folks so I figure this would be the place to start. I'm not even sure you can help me but I guess it's worth a try.
My father and I have been going through some old boxes in the closet and came across two old harmonicas. My father told me they where his dad's. My father is quite musical (Hammer Dulcimer, Mandolin, Guitar, Hawaiian guitar) but said that he never could get the hang of playing a harmonica.

So, here's a few question to start with...

One, I'd like to get some information on these harmonicas. Both are in their original boxes (cardboard). Both are M. Hohner. Both have wood combs. One is labeled as "Echo Harp" and the actual harmonica states "Bell Metal Reeds". The other has no label. Or rather it has a label but other than the "M. Hohner" it is printed in what looks to be Chinese. Actually, both are pretty much printed in Chinese and since I don't read Chinese I cannot tell much about them. The Echo Harp also has Chinese stamped (engraved?)into the metal (I am guessing they indicate the key). I would guess my grandfather acquired these anywhere from the 1920's to the 1940's, but maybe earlier. As I said, I have searched for three days without much luck in finding any information on these and their value.(I'd post pictures but I'm not sure of the approved method of doing that here.). I get the feeling this is more a place for players to talk about their craft (trust me I am getting to that) than a "Antiques Roadshow" but I was hoping someone would recognize the description and be able to provide some info or pointers on where I might find some answers (I've already scoured many of the online antique and acution sites and nothing with the Chinese writing and only a few similar "Echo Harp" listings).

Which leads to my second question. I am interested in their history and value because I would like to learn to play. Regardless of value I plan on keeping them because they were my grandfather's but it is always good to know the value of something. Also, if they are valuable I'd rather not use them. If they are not valuable I would like to use them but do not know if they would be practical for a beginner. If not, any recommendations on a brand and key (sorry if my terminology is off as well, I really am absolutely neon green in these matters!). Also, any recommended books, websites, etc. to help a beginner get started would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
RT
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