Re: [Harp-L] History of harp tuning



The logistics of commercial large scale harmonica manufacture mean that small production runs are extremely expensive for the manufacturer. Despite the interest in alternate tunings recently expressed by various contributors on Harp-L, the reality is that very few individuals actually purchase them when they're available. 

For the past 30 years Lee Oskar has consistently offered Natural Minor, Melody Maker and Harmonic Minor diatonics. These are all excellent tunings which clearly enable the player to do things which aren't possible in standard tuning. His product information material explains them really well and lays considerable emphasis on the benefits they offer. However, their availablity on the marketplace has not prompted significant numbers of players to adopt them. Lee has told me that all of them together make up less than 2% of his turnover.

This would appear to refute claims that the introduction of new tuning systems will increase the appeal of the harmonica (whether diatonic or chromatic) and boost sales. Unfortunately the evidence all points the other way. Few harmonica players are interested in such things and even fewer actually get to grips with them. The idea that a different tuning system will render the instrument more accessible to newcomers looks like wishful thinking to me.

At the present time Hohner offers the Special 20 in Country tuning and the Marine Band 1896 in both Natural and Harmonic Minor tunings, as well as the Marine Band 365 in SBS tuning. Players in the USA wishing to purchase Hohner harmonicas (including chromatics) in other alternate tunings may contact <harmonica@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>. Players in the rest of the world may contact <service@xxxxxxxxx>.

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.european-music-workshops.com
www.harmonica-masters.de







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