[Harp-L] Tombo chromatics

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Tombo chromatics (both the 17-hole "Folk Young" and the 22-hole  
"Unica Formal" as seen here: http://www.tombo-m.co.jp/eng/ 
index.html , then click on "slide chromatic") are NOT variations on  
solo tuning.  The best way to view these harps is in relation to the  
diatonic Asian forms from which they are derived (neither of which  
were derived from solo tuning).

The first, the "Folk Young" is a chromatic version of the layout  
usually used on Asian tremolo harps.  These seem to have evolved out  
of the typical Weiner style layout (with it's German Major Diatonic  
system) in a way similar to how the "Paddy Richter" layout was  
formed.  The desire seems to have been to emphasis melody and the  
full V chord in the draw was not something needed, so it was altered  
with the addition of the sixth to the draw.  Usually these don't take  
the pattern down to the tonic in the bass end of the harp, but if you  
do so extending the draw down to the second makes sense.

The "Unica Formal" is another beast again.  Derived from the "single"  
style of harmonica commonly used in schools in Japan (and perhaps  
China as well).  Here, instead of a repeating pattern of blow and  
draw, you get a rather unusual layout, with the sixth and seventh  
both as draws, and no blow in between (this is not spiral in any way  
shape or form--much the opposite, as it is a highly irregular  
layout).  The single is really a very different style of harmonica,  
much like the Weiner, Knittlinger and Richter harps are all different  
(though those originally shared a tuning system), and the "Unica  
Formal" is the logical chromatic outgrowth of that--and quite a nice  
harmonica as well.

For more information about all of this, both better written and  
better researched, see these pages:

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q15.html

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q36.html

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q23.html

Finally, for information on the Tombo S-50 or the similar Yamaha  
slideless chromatics:

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q24.html




 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
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