Re: [Harp-L] Harp buying in southern Japan

["David Priestley ( for harp-L)" <dmharpman@xxxxxxxxx>]

 Hi Jake
                Welcome to harpL.
Some Harmonica facts concerning the harmonica and the East, for those 
who may not already know.
The Harmonica is used in schools the way the Recorder is in Europe. It 
is the 'people's instrument' in China. China's mass production blossomed 
from a ex-European (Hohner?) plant that was abandoned in the time of the 
boxer rebellion.
 The principle of the free-swinging reed is attributed to the 
Japanese's some 2,000 years ago. It is much used in the Sheng, an 
instrument used in classical opera. I had one once that I wanted to turn 
into a chord harmonica of sorts but it turned out that I found the 
Harmonetta easier to work on than the Sheng. Though this says more 
about  my lack of hand  working skills than it does about either instrument.
Any way suffice to say that they do have a big free reed history all 
over the East and South-east Asia, so I would think that you should be 
able to find suppliers in your area, it may pay dividends  to ask a 
local school who supplies them with their harmonicas. I know that the 
Chinese Christian Youth Hosteling Association gives Harmonica classes 
(mostly Chromatic & Tremlo), so a call to your local C.Y.H.A. may also  
give you some good  leads.

Yours David

On 08/04/2011 07:48, Jacob Fund wrote:
> This is basically a shot in the dark, but I thought I would ask anyways.
> Anyone know of any stores in Southern Japan specifically on the Shikoku
> island that specializes in harmonica sells? I found an awesome store in
> Tokyo, but that`s Tokyo and a 12 hour car ride away and not the sticks of
> Kochi on the little island of Shikoku where I live now. Surprising that I
> don`t see much of a booming market for harmonicas in Japan. There are
> stores  around where I live that can do order-ins for specific
> harmonicas but as I am a fairly new player, and not fimilar with all the
> model types, its nice to see and feel the harmonica around my hands before
> purchasing it. And while it still is a pain in the butt to get someone to
> order things in a language that im not fluent in, I think it would make
> people kinda mad to just refuse to buy something after they put in all that
> effort to help you. And I don`t like seeing people mad.
>
> Also I am pretty new to this mailing list and this is my first post. So Hi,
> I`m Jake, I live in Japan.
> ~Jake

--
D Priestley AKA Dr Midnight.
England's first  harmonica Guru.

Do feel free get in touch.
Harmonica lessons POA,(10 = 20% discount,&  20 = 25% discount).

I teach from: 51 Barkston Gdns, the basement flat&  On-Line,
Email me or call me to book lessons or get more info.

E-mail= dmharpman@xxxxxxxxx
Website= http://www.cognitionarts.com/
Phone=(44) 0207 373 0295