[Harp-L] Re: Why is a harmonica called a harp?

[larryboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Elliot ZAIS write in part:
 
I'm sure there is some interesting history (on the name harp) However, it
doesn't justify replacing the perfectly good name of our instrument, the
harmonica or mouth organ with the perfectly good name of another, radically
different, instrument, the harp. Appeals to "tradition", i.e., we've called it
a harp for too long to change, seem to be rather weak arguments. Granted,
harmonica is a long word at four syllables. A snappy one or two syllable name
would be nice. I just don't think it should be harp.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>8<<<<<<<<<<<<<

What goes around comes around.  How long has it been since the discussion of our
instrument's nom de plume?  If you just call it a harmonica, then how do you
differentiate between diatonic and chromatic?  There was a move afoot to call
the diatonic a "short harp" and the Chromatic a "long harp".  But that had
problems since some diatonics are longer than some chromatics.  What about a
tremolo or octave, or bass harps?  

My personal favorite moniker is "two-bit tin sandwich"

Best Regards to All,

Larry Boy Pratt
www.parkhousejam.com

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