Re: [Harp-L] What is a Hohner 365 "for"?

[harp <harp@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Michelle, Winslow and all the others that replied to my question,

Thank you so much for your thoughts on the 365.  It is a very interesting
instrument - very different from the 1896.  Michelle, yes, I am a
cord/blocking player as well, and I had picked up on the rich cords this
instrument can play.  I continue to experiment with it to find out where
it fits best.

Warm regards,
Brad

On 7/5/14, 4:15 PM, "Michelle LeFree" <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>Brad asks:
>> This may be a really stupid question, but I am wondering what a Hohner
>>365 is ÃâÅforÃâÂ.à  I recently got two along with some Chromatics, which
>>is what I was really looking for...
>> If you have some thoughts, please share them.Ã  If this post is just
>>drivel, and you canÃâât even figure out what I am talking about, flame
>>on.Ã  Wish I could put it into better words.
>
>As always, Winslow is spot-on with his comments regarding the
>availability of those uber cool low notes on the C 365. But I have
>another take on this often misunderstood instrument.
>
>As you have discovered, it does not feature the usual Richter note
>layout. As a result, I think the 365 is meant to be played almost
>exclusively with a chordal/tongue blocked style. Yes, those low notes
>are there, but as you point out the instrument's note/hole blow-draw
>arrangement can definitely be confusing. That is until you stop playing
>the instrument single-note style! If you just try moving around the harp
>playing 4-note chords with the instrument well into your mouth, the
>"magic" of the design will emerge. It is almost impossible to get a
>dissonant sound out of a 365 when played in this way. I love to play
>gospel music on mine. And as you probably know, the tone you can achieve
>with this great harp is unlike any other.
>
>Since you are used to the MB 1896, which is also designed to be played
>with a chordal/tongue blocked style, this method of extracting all the
>goodness designed into the instrument should not be a difficult concept
>for you. The thing to understand is that the 365 was designed to be
>played almost exclusively in this manner. Forget, for the moment at
>least, playing melodies single-note style and warm up to this chordal
>monster harp.
>
>Try it, Brad; you'll like it!
>
>Michelle
>
>PS: If, after taking my advice, you still don't care for the 365, try a
>Hohner 14-hole"Steve Baker Special," SBS 365, which is built on the same
>platform as the normal 365. The note layout will be much more friendly
>to a Marine Band player, as it just adds an additional low octave to the
>more familiar 10-hole Richter layout. Or, for what I think is a better
>form factor, try a Seydel 12-hole Solist Pro, also sporting the SBS note
>layout. One of my favorite harps!
>
>