Re: [Harp-L] Tremelo/Octave Harmonica

["Timothy J. Schutte" <kc8hr@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Steven,

On 10/01/2010 03:36 PM, Hellerman, Steven wrote:
> Funny how the world can work. Maybe two weeks ago I posted about wanting to get my harp to sound like an accordian for one of the bands I play with, presumably using an effects pedal through my amp. Got lots of good advice from some of the great players here (yes, I'm going to buy that micro pog any day now), including some who suggested that instead of focusing on effects, I learn to play tremolo.
>
> Lo and behold, yesterday one of my students (I teach Pol. Sci., not music, btw; can't even read music, never will) presented me w/ a vintage Hering Sonhadora (made in Brazil) in the key of C that he had bought for five bucks at a garage sale, now sold to me for same. I presumed it was a tremolo, but a little research shows that it's an octave harmonica. What's the difference? Is this a good place to start? Thanks in advance.
>
>    
A tremolo harmonica has two blow and two draw reeds in each slot, each 
pair is tuned to <almost> the same pitch, which causes the tremolo 
effect. An octave harmonica is similar, except that each pair is tuned 
an octave apart. To me, the octave harp sounds like a Cajun diatonic 
accordion ("squeeze box"), while the tremolo sounds a bit like an organ.

Try the new harp--it will sound pretty much like an accordion.

Later--
Tim

--
Timothy J. Schutte, http://senseitim.blogspot.com/
"I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam!" --Popeye the Sailor-Man