Re: [Harp-L] The instrument often mistaken for a harmonica

["Michael Polesky, MPA" <m.polesky@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

Winslow writes:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>

> One thing strikes me when listening to these players (also true of 
> Galliano) is that while as > accordionists they have great facility in 
> getting around on the button board, they do not
> have a wind player's fine sense of shaping the sound with the viocal 
> tract. A good
> harmonica player could really show these guys what an accordina could 
> really sound like .

One thing the websites noted is that wind players - including harmonica 
players - are really unaware of this instrument.  I agree with fjm's comment 
that the embouchure for the accordina is very different from the harmonica, 
but I bet it is easier to master.  I think that in the hands of wind players 
like Damien Masterson or Michael Peloquin there would be a high learning 
curve.

Incidentally, I thought the YouTube of Isn't She Lovely showed some of the 
vibrancy and subtlety of a harmonica sound.  There was a certain amount of 
vibrato and even Stevie Wonder-like pizzicato that made that recording sound 
very exciting to me.  I would also enjoy one playing one of these. 
Unfortunately, I would have to sell an organ to get one.  One last note, 
Isn't She Lovely was played in G on the accordina rather than E.

Michael