Re: [Harp-L] inventions of steel proof

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Payne writes:

> True, although there were problems with making that reed on the  
> harmonica's minute scale... that was what had to be overcome. Also,  
> the harmonica itself was the adaptation of pitchpipes to a new format.


As noted, Hohner had already made steel reeds for the Harmonetta,  
though that didn't cover the highest octave of a standard harmonica  
in C.  Again, I applaud Seydel for their design and the challenges  
they overcame with their specific design, which seems to have  
succeeded.  My argument is not to diminish that, but rather put it in  
perspective and the proper context, and use this specific example to  
put other harmonica developments into their greater context as well  
(alternate tunings, responder reeds, etc...).

As for the harmonica being an adaptation of pitch-pipes, maybe.  The  
early history of the instrument is not well documented at all, and  
again we see many people springing up with various designs for free- 
reed instruments at the beginning of the 19th century, including the  
precursors of harmonicas, accordions, reed-organs, and concertinae as  
well as other now abandoned forms.  Exactly where they got their  
inspiration from is unknown, and  many of these early harmonica forms  
arrived on the scene simultaneously with pitch-pipes, which begs how  
the harmonica could be an adaptation of something which was only just  
being created.




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