Re: [Harp-L] re:How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from PossibleExtinction

<jruss433@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Wed, 5 Oct 2005 07:08:46 -0500

Thanks for doing that, Randy.  It helps to illustrate how easily those old 
wounds can fester.  In the 7 years I have been coming to SPAH, I have 
watched the playing field begin to level.
As the two instruments revive the tendency to share genres of music and 
commonality of purpose, it seems a shame to divide them through terminology 
and revive the harping (no pun intended) that drives the arguments for the 
exclusive use of either instrument.
As an organization, we should be becoming sophisticated enough to eventually 
give that up.  On the positive side, I have watched the jazz jams, blues 
jams and hallway jams integrate the two instruments to a greater extent than 
in the past.  '05 SPAH was a good example of the fact that there is room for 
everyone.
 Some of the old chromatic players have told me the same thing.  There is a 
distinct beauty in the "slid" note and, another separately distinct beauty 
in the "bent" note. In the long run, it's all about attitude and perception.
Mark Russillo

(a.k.a. The Rhode Island Kid)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "randy singer" <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Cc: "elaine miller HARMONICA" <PEMILLER86@xxxxxxx>

Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 1:06 AM

Subject: [Harp-L] re:How We Can Save the Chromatic Harmonica from 
PossibleExtinction

i hope you do not mind i am posting the cogent and heartfelt comments
from my student, elaine miller.
she is a kind hearted lover of the harmonica------of all configurations.
thank you,
randy singer

Begin forwarded message:
From: "Phillip L. Miller" <pemiller86@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 5, 2005 3:02:12 AM EDT
 To the dear members :
 It is noteworthy that the statement about the possible extinction of the

chromatice harmonica came from personal observation and from an article 
written by Alan "blackie Schackner entitled, Is There a Future for the

Chromatic Harmonic?" that appeared in The Free-Reed Journal and reprinted 
with permission from The Harmonica Educator. Please see webpage:

http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/essays/schacknerfuture.html
 ALSO--------

--- 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.

sincerely
elaine miller

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