Re: [Harp-L] pre-existing harmonica terminology ??

[Eric Nielsen <ericbarnak@xxxxxxxxx>]

Excellent exposition, Vern. I may file this away.

Eric

On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 2:54 PM, Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> Apparently there is no difficulty with terminology for the parts of the
> harmonica.
> Here is the set of terms for spaces in the harmonica that seem to make
> sense to me:
>
> "Hole" refers to the mouthpiece of a chromatic and the location on the
> front of a diatonic such as "hole 6"  It implies the notes that are played
> there. The mouthpiece of a chromatic and the front surface of a diatonic
> comb have "holes."   A "hole" is where your breath enters the harmonica when
> you blow and where it enters your mouth when you draw.  Harmonicas can be
> characterized by the number of holes, e.g. 10-hole diatonic or 10, 12, 14,
> 16-hole chromatic.
>
> "Opening" refers to the two-dimensional slide parts of a chromatic. The
> slide parts have "openings"
>
> "Chamber" refers to the three dimensional comb. The comb has "chambers"
> over or under the reeds.
>
> "Slot" refers to the place where the reed operates. The reedplate has
> "slots".
>
> "Clearance" refers to the part of the slot not occupied by the reed. The
> space between the reed and the slot is "clearance"
>
> I can't think of a single word for "space under the covers".
>
> Vern
>
>