Re: [Harp-L] High A harmonica?

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Nov 10, 2004, at 8:06 AM, G wrote:

> Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 11:29:12 EST
> From: Captron100@xxxxxxx
> " Here's a tip i learned many years ago from Charlie McCoy albums.  
> When he
>  needed a high A and G, years before they were available as standard
> diatonics, he  used Hohner Vest Pocket Harps.  They are one octave 
> higher
> than standard. " <end>
>
> Hi,
>   Can anyone clarify whether these are currently available in keys 
> other
> than C?  Hohner's catalogue doesn't list the keys available.
>
> -- G.
> _

 Hi my good buddy Greg. An older Hohner catalogue lists the keys. First 
off, look under "Piccolo" harp (the actual name for it). Vest Pocket is 
mentioned in parenthesis, and it was THIS name that sort of stuck with 
the model as it is only about 3 1/2" total length (9/16ths shorter than 
standard). Consequently you could carry it in a vest pocket.
 Now unless you're some sort of "suited" professional, wearing a vest 
is getting rare (especially in Florida).

In any case, the keys listed for the Piccolo are Bb B C D E F G A and 
Cm Fm & Gm. These are STANDARD PITCH
The Vest Pocket (SUB-model) is in G HIGH and A HIGH. These are ONE 
OCTAVE HIGHER than standard.

As for the high sound of the Vest Pocket, some tunes required a change 
in key (a bridge for example). It is no secret that when going into 
this key change, it (generally) doesn't sound right to go DOWN in 
pitch. As most of the work on Richter tuned harps is done on the lower 
half of the harp anyway, and since the upper half is set up differently 
anyway, Charlie only needs the lower half of the higher pitched harp, 
and so it really doesn't come off as all that shrill. AND it's a lot 
easier to switch to another harp than trying to get a (sometimes) 
difficult run of notes off of the upper end of a lower pitched harp. 
Main reason is bendability, but there are also issues of notes which 
don't match up to what you are "used" to doing on a "usual" lower end 
of a harp.

As for embochure, the holes are ever so slightly enough closer together 
to make puckering difficult, and tongue blocking works best (for most). 
Golly, I can't even pucker a standard sized (4 1/16th inch) harp let 
alone a smaller one.

hope this helps...... smo-joe