Honer 'Slide Harp'

["JP.BROWN" <J.P.Brown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi to all you guys!

 I have recently bought a new harp, a Honer 'Slide Harp', I thought I 
would share my experiences for the benefit of anyone who is contemplating 
buying one of these.
 
Plus points:
1/ It has a lovely full tone.
2/ It is smaller than the usual chromatics and fits nicely into the hands.
3/ It is cheaper than a 'Super Chromonica'.
4/ You can play some blues riffs that would be almost impossible on a 
   normal blues harp thanks to the slider.
5/ It comes in a really cool clear plastic one piece case with a photo of 
   a peaceful landscape laminated into it :-). 

Minus points:
1/ Bends are more difficult to do than on a normal diatonic harp.
2/ The missing notes in the bottom register makes it difficult to play 
   more complex melodies (than would be the case on a normal 12 hole 
   chromatic harmonica).  
3/ It is only available in one key (C). 
4/ If you also use a normal chromatic harp then you will have to 
   remember which one you are playing or you will hit wrong notes.
   This isn't so much of a problem when switching from a blues harp to a 
   normal chromatic harp because the two instruments feel so different.

 I think on balance most people would be better off buying a 
'Super Chromonica' for playing the more complex jazz/blues melodies.
But the 'Slide Harp' may be useful to the accomplished blues player who 
doesn't want to get into playing chromatics and yet needs the extra notes 
for some particular numbers.
 Does anyone have any other opinions or tips on the Slide Harp?.


          -----  John P. Brown      J.P.Brown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----   
           \    'Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think'    /
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