[Harp-L] Does the little b mean flat?

[Rick In Davis <rickindavis@xxxxxxxxx>]

I needed new Ab and Eb harps for a gig this weekend, so I phoned a major musical insturment retailer in the area and asked if they had Hohner SP20s or Golden Melodys in those keys.  The guy put me on hold for a couple minutes and then came back and asked me if the "little b" means flat.  I said, "Never mind" and hung up.
   
  I tried a different store, also a major regional retailer of musical instruments.  When I asked for the harps, the guy asked me EXACTLY the same question, in exactly the same vacuous tone.  I was stunned, but I needed the harps so I bought them anyway.
   
  Question:  Don't music instrument stores require some minimal level of competence in, you know, music from their employees?  I am accustomed to music store guys knowing next to nothing about harmonicas and blues, but this is a new low for me.

 		
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