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

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wiener has reeds in single cells, with blow-only cells and draw-only cells.

Kinittinlger has blow and draw reeds side by side in a shared hole, but with separate upper and lower chambers for top and bottom reedplates.

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Mon, 1/25/10, Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Subject: [Harp-L] pre-existing harmonica terminology ??
To: "Jonathan Ross" <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 4:36 PM

As Jonathan suggested, I consulted Pat Missen's website which says:

"Knittlinger System  Also known as the Konzert or Full Concert harmonica, this was developed by the Friedrich Hotz company of Knittlingen. Like the Wiener system, it has a pair of reedplates each with both blow and draw reeds, mounted on a horizontally divided comb giving two rows of holes at the mouthpiece. However these holes are rectangular in shape, each delivering air to a pair of reeds, one blow one draw:"

This indicates that neither the "Wieiner" or Knottlinger" system has draw-only holes.  

I originally questioned the need for separate terms for blow-holes and draw-holes because I didn't think that draw-only holes existed.  I should have known better than to state that something doesn't exist and in any case my opinion isn't important.  

Vern


On Jan 25, 2010, at 3:47 PM, Jonathan Ross wrote:

> Vern wrote:
> 
> "Would you explain the "Knittlinger" comb.
> What is the rationale for a draw-only hole?
> Does it need its own term?"
> 
> I know this wasn't directed at me, but since the Knittlinger harmonica doesn't actually have individual holes for blow and draw I thought I'd answer.
> 
> Probably the best way is simply by linking to this page:
> 
> http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q36.html
> 
> This should clear up the difference between the Wiener and Knittlinger types of diatonic harmonica.
> 
> IMO, the most likely reason for the Wiener system having each reed in a separate cell/chamber and thus an individual mouthpiece hole is to preserve air.  Since it is usually associated with double-reed harmonicas (most often tremolos but also octaves) my guess is the idea was to allow you only open your mouth on the holes you are sounding and thus not loose compression through blowing into/drawing through non-playing reeds (as happens on harmonicas where a blow and draw reed share a chamber/hole).  It is notable that the Knittlinger octave harmonicas often use valves/windsavers (such as on the "Auto-Valve") whereas I am not aware of regular valve usage on Wiener harmonicas.
> 
> As for terminology, I have seen (and used) the terms "dual reed-cell" for instruments where two reeds share a single chamber in the comb (typically blow/draw, but not always) and "single reed-cell" for where each reed has it's own chamber in the comb and associated mouthpiece hole.
> 
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 
> 
> JR Ross
> 
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