--- Response to comments made about my article on
How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from Possible 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 this follow up response.
The main purpose of my recent article was to explore the
possibility of having different names for the two main types of
harmonicas, the diatonic and the chromatic 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 diatonic 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 forth graders how to play the diatonic
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 diatonic 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 as 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 diatonic. It was also suggested that the diatonic
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 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 of 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.