[Harp-L] A Response by the Writer of How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from Extinction

["Phillip L. Miller" <pemiller86@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Response to the Comments Made About My Article On

How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from Extinction

(Written by J. Elaine Miller)

 

 

                I appreciate the many responses to my recent article on, how we can save the chromatic harmonica from possible extinction.  This was my first article that I have written to be posted and I was not totally prepared for some of the reactions that I received.  While there were a few reasonable and positive replies, there were others that seemed to have missed the main purpose of my article!  It is for that reason that I am writing the follow up response.

 

                The main purpose of my recent article was to explore the possibility of having the different names for the two main types of harmonicas, the diatonic (will be called d) harmonicas, as I felt that this would help create more public awareness for the chromatic instrument and would hopefully aid in fostering its growth and popularity.

 

                It was not my purpose to discrete the d harmonica in the process of helping the chromatic harmonica, as I have played both instruments, and have a large collection of each.  Several years back I taught my class of third and fourth graders how to play the d harmonica, before I retired from school teaching.  Nevertheless, to quote Blackie Schackner, the two instruments are not the same, just as the flute is different from the clarinet, or saxophone.

 

                I feel this difference should be respected by giving each instrument its own name.  I had suggested that the chromatic harmonica could be called a chromonica and the d harmonica could keep its name, but I have received some other possible names which I am including for consideration.  Since the name chromonica was used a Hohner brand name, it was suggested that the chromatic harmonica could be called a Grand Harmonica or a Double Harmonica, since it has twice as many reeds as a d.  It was also suggested that the d harmonica could be called a harp and the chromatic harmonica could keep its name.  These are just a few of the possibilities that were presented, which I feel are worth considering.  The important thing is not so much what we decide to call the chromatic instrument, but that we all have a meeting of the minds and come to an agreement on a name.

 

                I am NOT suggesting that this is all that is needed to promote the chromatic instrument, as I realize that this generation needs to be educated and trained in playing the harmonica, if we are to expect the next generation to carry on this skill.  I have a degree in music, but was never exposed to the harmonica in all my college training.  In fact, I was told by my professors that the harmonica was a musical toy!  We all know that that is not true, but until the harmonica (especially the chromatic instrument) gains the respect of the educational world; we will continue to struggle to keep this wonderful instrument from becoming extinct.

 

                Notice:  the statement that the chromatic harmonica may become extinct came from personal observation and from the article by Alan "Blackie" Schackner entitled, "Is There a Future for the Chromatic Harmonica?" that appeared in The Free-Reed Journal and reprinted with permission from The Harmonica Educator. See webpage: http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/essays/schacknerfuture.html

 

Chromatically yours,

 

Phillip L. Miller (Recent member)