Re: [Harp-L] How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from Possible Extinction

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "randy singer" <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 5:05 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from 
PossibleExtinction


(The gist of the post was that the confusion between diatonic and chromatic 
harmonicas in the public mind is leading to the decline of the chromatics 
and that the adoption of the name "chromonica"  for chromatics might help 
reverse the trend.)

I think that the lady's argument has merit.

I encounter this in the following way.  Because the audience doesn't 
distinguish between the two instruments, there is no "WOW" effect when a 
performer plays a Hands-Free-Chromatic with another instrument.  They think 
it is the same thing that Bob Dylan does and is no big deal. It does not 
even have the distinguishing hand-on-the-button.   The diatonic players 
think the performer is playing accidentals with bends and overblows on a 
diatonic.  Only the chromatic harmonica players are impressed...and there 
are not many of them.

I see two difficulties with "chromonica":

1. It is a Hohner brand name.

2. It sounds too much like "harmonica"

I'm not wild about Adler's preference, "mouth organ."   Nor does the German 
"Mundtharmonika" grab me.   Harp, organ, and harmonica all suggest another 
instrument. A hundred years of tradition is going to be very hard to 
overcome.

What about:

Vieleshilfe  (German for "many reeds")
Schilfesatz (German for "reed set")
Tuttocanne  (Italian for "all reeds")....my favorite!
Roseaux (French for "reeds") .....my second favorite.
Adlerphone...in honor of Larry
Multireeds or the Italian equivalent "Multicanne"...not too bad IMO
Windreeds
Reedophone
Reedset
Grand Harmonica...more complete than a diatonic.
Double Harmonica...twice as many reeds as a diatonic.
Chromareeds
Allineamento (Italian for array)

OK, OK....I'll give up. What do YOU suggest?   ;o)

Vern