Re: [Harp-L] What other instruments require both draw and blow actions?

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q30.html

Pretty much answers the question as fully as possible.

While the breath of a harmonica is unique (indeed, all mouth-blown  
instruments feel a bit more personal than most other instruments,  
IMO), the key feature is less that you breath through the instrument  
and more the bi-directional or bi-sonorous nature of the beast.  The  
various bisonorous harmonicas (as oppossed to the few which play  
either in one direction or the same note blow and draw) share this  
particular feel with many of the other Western free-reed instruments  
such as the various diatonic accordions, the Anglo concertina, the  
Chemnitzer concertina (or properly conzertina) and the Bandoneon, to  
name the most common.  Most East Asian free reeds do not have this  
property, as they are uni-sonorous, playing the same note on the blow  
and the draw (as the piano accordion does).

I find that while there are serious limitations inherent in a  
bisonorous design (legato, obviously, but also limited chord  
possibilities in most standard designs), there are also some distinct  
advantages--you get a very strong rhythmic sensability and capability  
from the directionality of the instrument (thus the prevelance of  
diatonic accordions in most folk dance-based traditions rather than  
the smoother piano or chromatic accordions).  I have often thought  
about transferring this aspect to other instruments, however there  
really are few things other than the free-reed which give themselves  
to such a bi-directional system readily.

To me, this is one of the wonders of the free-reed, whether it be in  
the harmonica or the squeezebox family (reed-organs are always single- 
action--there have probably been some experiments the other way, but  
none that I know of), and something to be celebrated for the  
uniqueness of the beast.

Of course, I want a set of Sam Hinton's calliomonicas/pipe  
harmonicas--he really makes them sound like a miniature calliope.

(Which reminds me--I've needed to order his cd for far too long--I've  
heard clips, and it is truly amazing, he's a masterful musician and a  
wonderful harmonica player).




 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()   & Snuffy, too:)
`----'