[Harp-L] Harmonetta

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Winslow writes:

"Each button plays a single octave-tuned note (i.e., each note is  
actually played by two reeds tuned an octave apart)."

This is incorrect.  When you press a button, say C, you open the  
holes for all the Cs on the instrument, in all octaves.  Thus,  
pushing down the buttons for a specific chord allows you to play all  
the notes of that chord available on the instrument (making arpeggios  
very easy, for instance) and you select what specific notes by where  
you put your mouth--which octave, what inversion, etc...  The concept  
is somewhat similar (though significantly more flexible) to an  
autoharp--the buttons select groupings of notes rather than a  
singular note (in this case grouped by octaves).  Further, the reeds  
are not grouped into octave pairs--each set of identically pitched  
blow/draw reeds sits in a single cell.

It is a very different experience to playing a traditional chord- 
harmonica or any other harmonica really--far less of a visceral  
response, much more distant feeling (akin to the melodica, but not as  
removed).  Frankly, I'm not sure how to properly classify a  
Harmonetta.  It could be seen as a very complex form of harmonica, or  
it could be classified more with blow accordions and Wheatstone's  
Symphonium.  It's an odd beast, and rather hard to describe without  
good pictures.  In any event it's just awesome, like a harmonica and  
a typewriter thrown in a blender.



JR Ross