Re: the Koch vs. Slide Harp details

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 7/24/2004 7:09:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Toungblock@xxxxxxx writes:
Can someone tell me the tuning of the Koch?? with a C Koch what is every note 
with the slide out.and what are all the notes with the slide in. would love 
to know.

tom
in CT. 
Both the 10-hole Koch and the 10-hole Slide Harp are sold by Hohner. They 
used to be available in C and G. Both have the blues harp (Marine Band Richter) 
layout (C chord blow/ G7 chord draw 2-3-4-5). The big difference between the 
two is that the Slide Harp has valves or windsavers on the first six draw holes 
(lowest octave). The valves have no effect on the bendability of the lowest 
octave bending.

The Key of C Koch / Slide Harp is like two harps: key of C and C# sandwiched 
together in one 10-hole. Or C and G#. This means 24 positions on each unit (12 
x 2 = 24).

Both harps used to be available in keys of C and G. Now Slide Harp (MSRP 
$99.95) is available in C, Koch (MSRP $83.95) C and G -- compare to 10-hole 
chromatic: Hohner 260 Chromatic (MSRP $109.95). 

This provides two advantages for the Slide Harp: It leaks air considerably 
less than the Koch and allows the blow bending at least a half step on those 
first six blow notes (not available on the Koch). That means the Slide Harp blow 
bends C to B, E to Eb, G to F#/Gb and the same for the next C E G.

This blow bend advantage is not advertised by Hohner. (Of course, Hohner does 
not advertise the bendability of standard solo tuned chromatics, either.)


The plastic two-snap case of the Slide Harp has this embedded in the plastic 
case:

     "The Hohner "Slide Harp" , an addition to the regular diatonic 
harmonica, opens    
      possibilities to lay in several different keys in one diatonic 
harmonica. This harmonica is 
      basically two instruments in one--tuned a half-step apart.  (Example 
Key of C -- Key of 
      C#).

      "Many notes can be bent on the Slide Harp  just like the Blues Harp -- 
and by using the 
       chromatic slide  all* notes can be raised a half-step (just like a 
Chromonica).



       "This combination offers the creative player new possibilities  in 
sound and tonal colors. 
        Half** of the "Slide Harp" is valved to make the instrument air tight 
and still enable the 
        player to bend notes. Nickleplated reed plates help produce this a 
superb, full and 
        powerful sound."  


          The note layout on both harps in Key of C is:
C  E  G  C  E  G  C  E G  C     Lever In yields: C#  F(E#) G#     C#  F   G#  
C#  F G#  C#
D  G  B  D  F  A  B  D  F  A                            D#  G#   C(B#)   D#  
F#  A#  C D# F#  A# 

My Notes: 
          * ALL notes cannot be raised: there is still no A without bend on 
the lowest octave on 
          either harp, even with the lever because there is no "natural G#/Ab 
that can be raised 
           a half-step to A. The "missing F is available with the slide on 
both Koch and Slide 
           Harp because an E can be raised a half-step to F.

           ** Six of draw notes are valved not five (half of 10).


Phil Lloyd, contributing editor
American Harmonica Newsmagazine
in our 17th year -- back issues $2