Re: [Harp-L] An alternative view on the future of the harmonica

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

I believe I already addressed this problem. In 1959 I came up with a  
diatonic with the 5th and 9th draw reeds tuned up a semi tone and a  
windsaver on the 5 blow. Do it and you will open up a lot of pop that  
was heretofore unreachable by anyone who wasn't a very advanced over  
draw and over blow klepto.

As for the harmonica diminishing, I watched bits and pieces from  
several movies just yesterday which had wee doses of harmonica. Also,  
several times PER day, I hear harp on commercials. I (personally)  
think there's more harp around now than there was a generation ago.  
But then, I'm talking U.S., your environs may be experiencing a  
different level of involvement.

smokey joe & the Cafe s

On May 25, 2007, at 7:43 AM, Serguei Volkov wrote:

> The discussions surrounding the future of the harmonica,
> its popularity and lack thereof have one flaw: they
> are confined mostly to blues and jazz, two essentially
> "unpopular" genres.
>
> In order to gain widespread popularity and recognition,
> the harmonica must tap into popular music. And popular
> music is, essentially, 90% major pentatonic.
>
> The problem with the Richter diatonic is that it does
> not allow to easily rock out on a clear, full major
> scale across more than 1 octave. Addressing that issue
> is, I believe, the key to unlocking the full potential
> of the diatonic harmonica as a popular instrument.
>
> Regards,
>
> Sergei Volkov
> ~
> http://www.myspace.com/outlawbe
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