[Harp-L] Chromatic Harmonica note arrangement



I am mostly a diatonic player, though I have several Chromatic Harmonicas.  Since I have been pretty successful at optimizing  diatonics, for myself and my harp playing friends, I decided to tackle one of my Chromatics.  So, I have what is probably a stupid question for one of you Chromatic experts.  Why do some Chromatic harps have all the notes for the major scale of the key of the harp on the top plate, and the half step higher scale on the bottom plate, while other harps alternate the plates between notes?  

If this doesn't make any sense let me phrase it another way.  Why do some slides have the holes in a straight row, and other stagger the holes?  

I assume that it has something to do with round holes vs square holes, since my Super 64 and CX 12 are staggered, and my 260, 270, and Meisterklasse, and Koch have straight holes.  Does anyone know the answer?

I am just curious.

Thanks

Harvey Berman


This archive was generated by a fusion of Pipermail 0.09 (Mailman edition) and MHonArc 2.6.8.