Re: [Harp-L] Lowest priced professional instrument?

["blues_harp68@xxxxxxxxx" <blues_harp68@xxxxxxxxx>]

Any time I perform I have 22 to 24 harps on stage. 12 regular keys plus some high and low octive and some minor tuned. Pick the cost of your favorite harp and multiply. It adds up fast. Then there is the backup set I carry in the gig case for when one goes belly up during a performance.  It is a considerable investment that enables me to cover anything that comes up with the variety of groups and styles of music I play. But, keeping receipts allows me to deduct at tax time.  

Sent by Howard Young 

On Jan 26, 2010, at 8:03 AM, "John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx> wrote:

When i think about the price of harmonicas, I think about the cost of a performing set. i carry a performing set of 13 (12 standard keys and high G) and I use them all regularly  (except for B which i use very infrequently).  Maybe it's because I don't OB and i play multiple positions, but I think of my entire set as my instrument.  If a tune gets called, i select which key harp  I'm going to play in which position.  Equinox will put me in 4th. St. Thomas will put me in 1st.  I Shot The Sheriff or Little Wing will put me in 5th. So What will put me in 3d, but I need to use 2 harps. Got My Mojo Working, will put me in 2d. etc.

So, i consider my "instrument" to be my entire SET of harps.  If one is playing primarily blues and only using 2 or 3 positions, maybe a performing set will consist of 7 or 8 harps.  BUT a serous diatonic player needs to cary multiple instruments in a range of keys.  13 Suzuki Hammonds @ $45 or so a piece adds up to more than the cost of many other moderately priced instruments.

So, I guess it depends how you look at it and whether you can realistically consider a single harp to be your instrument.

JP
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