Re: [Harp-L] Echo harps - a few corrections

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have to disagree with a couple of Vern's statements about Echo harps.

The standard tuning for Hohner Echo harp does include the same draw chord as you find on a standard diatonic. In fact, aside from the fact that draw notes and blow notes are in adjacent holes instead of the same hole, the note arrangements are identical. (Vern may be thinking of the pseudo-Solo tuning used in some Asian harmonicas but not in the Echo line.)

(Also, Richter is a type of construction, not a tuning. Richter harps have one row of holes with blow and draw in the same hole but on separate reedplates, while tremolos are Wiener construction - two rows, blow and draw side by side and every reed in its own chamber.)

And yes, you can bend notes on an Echo harp (and other harps in Wiener construction), simply by isolating the appropriate reed cells. I do this myself when playing tunes that include accidentals or change key too rapidly to switch to a harmonica in a different key.

Also, playing music that uses a diatonic scale does not of necessity limit the tunes to being simple. Some fairly intricate diatonic music is played both on tremolo harmonicas and on similarly tuned diatonic accordions.

Winslow

--- On Wed, 8/6/08, Vern Smith <jevern@xxxxxxx> wrote:
The "Echo" that you have is a diatonic in that it will not play
sharps and 
flats not in the key signature of its key.  However it is probably is not 
"Richter tuned" and is not suitable for blues because it will not
bend notes 
and it does not have a draw chord.   Echo harps have pairs of reeds tuned 
slightly differently to produce a pleasant vibrato.  Players of diatonics 
and chromatics must practice to produce a vibrato. Echos are are suitable 
for simple, traditional tunes.