[Harp-L] The Diatonic Chord Harmonica

[J Schaman <jschaman@xxxxxxx>]

In response to Tin Lizzie mentioning my Medical Harmonica, more suitably
called the Diatonic Chord Harmonica, in the thread on âthe coupled
diatonic harmonicaâ, I would like to clarify that indeed many more than
the standard key are available. The standard key, that used in the medical
research program, is really a combination of a low-F and a G harmonica,
with some retuning to allow dominant sevenths on the blow chords (with
Richter tuning, dominant seventh chords are not possible when blowing). In
essence, this harmonica plays in the key of C and G, with the following
chords: F, Fdom7, C, Cdom7. G, Gdom7, and D, Ddom7. These eight chords are
essentially one sixth of the chords available on a full 48 chord harmonica
(which plays 12 major, 12 minor, 12 dom7th, and 12 diminished chords).

Unlike the 48 chord harmonica, the diatonic chord harmonica can be played
âdiatonicallyâ, with individual notes and âbluesyâ bends. Melody playing
is limited as there are only five holes per chord. Bass lines (with
bending) combined with chords are quite doable. Certain melodies can be
played by utilizing both sides (ends) of the harmonica, although as a
chording instrument this is not its primary function and is a hit-and-miss
phenomenon.

At the request of bluegrass players, I created a G-A version, which plays
in the key of D and A, with the chords: G, G7, D, D7, A, A7, and E, E7.

I have several minor key prototypes and even a Doo Wop tuning (C-Am-F-G7),
which plays: F, F7, C, C7, G, G7, and Am, Am7). Several SPAH attendees
ordered the Doo Wop tuning.

Any tunings other than the lowF-G can be ordered by email and/or phone.


John
harmonicaMD.com
email: jschaman@xxxxxxx

J. P. Schaman, M.D.
cell(519)658-3733

Web-sites: 
J. P. Schaman Clinic:                http://www.jschaman.com/
Harmonica-Lung Program:        http://www.harmonicaMD.com/
Cardiac Fitness Association:      http://www.cfaheart.com/






>Message: 4
>Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:39:52 -0400
>From: Tin Lizzie <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The Coupled Diatonic Harmonica
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Message-ID: <DC662F38-3512-4AEE-96F3-5C270AFB0493@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
>â..(Not that we have to have Joeâs blessing to experiment, but for a
>middleweight player like me, it makes it feel less like cheating.  But I
>digress.)
>
>The Schaman Medical Harmonica deploys a version of the strategy of having
>harps a whole step apart, offering chords in Low-F and C on the left end,
>and G and D on the right end.  So far as I know, it is only available in
>one key, however.
>ââââ.
>
>Tin Lizzie
>