Re: [Harp-L] Chromatic playing and Hohner reed plates

[Arthur Jennings <timeistight@xxxxxxxxx>]

Toots Theilmanns and Stevie Wonder are both pucker players, I believe but I
can't think of a traditional blues chromatic player who isn't primarily a
tongue-blocker. Traditional blues chromatic playing usually features
octaves and other split intervals, slaps and pulls that require a
tongue-blocking embouchure.




On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Lare Sattler <lmsattler@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> I have a couple of things, the first of which is: does anyone play
> chromatic harp with the tongue blocking method? I play blues harp
> exclusively with tongue block and when I try to play chromatic it seems
> like it would work better to pucker than tongue block, but that's like
> re-learning the harp. I'd appreciate some suggestions. Secondly, I have
> played diatonic harp for quite a while and have tried just about every
> brand and several different models of the most widely known brands. So far
> my favorite is the Suzuki Manji, though recently I tried Hohner Big Rivers,
> and though they aren't a bad harp, I just don't care for those molded,
> flimsy combs that many brands use, and have to change out the comb. I have
> tried various wood, Dymondwood, Corian, bamboo and acrylic combs. All in
> all, I prefer the Corian combs, but one thing I like about the Manji and
> Olive, though I have tried several different natural woods and bamboo, I
> prefer them as they come with
>  their composite comb. Good job Suzuki!
> Now getting to my question, I have not tried a Hohner Crossover yet. I
> have long wanted to, I just was afraid it was too much like an 1896 MB and
> not enough different to warrant the price. From what I read, the reed
> plates sound like they're same with the difference being mounting
> technique. If that and the sealed Bamboo comb are the only difference, I
> may as well stick to the Manji. A friend recently got a Crossover given to
> him, so I did get to see and hold one and they do feel good and he says it
> plays like a breeze. Most of his harps are Suzuki Bluesmasters and he said
> he liked it much better. If anyone has experience with this to share, I'd
> love to hear from you. Thanx in advance.
> Lare Sattler    The Little Chicago Band    Canton Ohio
>



-- 
Arthur Jennings
http://www.timeistight.com