Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Hello and Introduction

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Rooty Baegga writes:  "I have not chosen a musical genre, if that's  what you 
mean.  Would genre determine the best harmonica?  I don't  think I want to 
limit myself to just 
one genre.

My learning curve is  such that I believe I think I might know (did I 
qualify that enough?) what  you mean by diatonic and chromatic.  Diatonic is 
a 'regular' harmonica  and chromatic is the kind of harmonica that Stevie 
Wonder plays, that has  that little push bar on the side that allows one to 
change notes by pushing  this button.  [Please feel free to correct any and 
all of my  terminology.  I won't take offense, unless you are offensive.]

I  probably should have mentioned in my introductory message that I can't 
read  a note of music.  I really am a neophyte."
 
....No, no, no - I am the complete neophyte here.  I confess  that I should 
be able to read music having taken piano lessons with  theory for years as a 
child, but I play by ear so just noodle along on my  various harmonicas.  BTW -- 
your "rutabaga" name is good.  
 
MY limited knowledge here tells me that my Hohner chromonica (the one with  
the push-button) is used quite differently from the Special 20 diatonics only  
from what I've read here on the harp-l list, but frankly I've no idea why one  
should be chosen over another for a particular genre, but hope soon to  learn 
the difference.  There is a wealth of information available here  and some 
amazing people who will be only too happy to impart their knowledge to  you. For 
my part, I grew up playing Hohner Chromatics as well  as their double-sized 
Echo tremolos.  Lots of people here can't  stand the sound of either of those 
two harps, <G>.   I've now  been  trying out other instruments and am heading 
off to Buckeye  next week to see how much I can absorb and learn.  Like me, I  
don't think you should lock yourself into a permanent style until you  decide 
what works and feels best for you.  The Special 20's (Hohners)  are quite 
inexpensive and easy enough to practice on.  The Golden Melodies  have the effect 
I happen to like, but single-sided and nicely curved.   Avoid something called 
the "weekender".  Despite its being made by Hohner,  it's a piece of crap 
(pardon my french). I've heard good things about  Lee Oskars and Suzukis but 
don't own any, as yet.  Most people I think,  would suggest that if you only buy 
one instrument, begin with the key of  C.  I'm now finally accumulating 
harmonicas in different keys just to make  it easier to play along with the Jazz CD's 
I enjoy noodling to, and I'm lazy  enough to like the ease of it.  Above all, 
have fun!
Elizabeth