[Harp-L] Low Maintenance Harp

[Walter Scanlon]

My age is the same as the opening remarks by Lincoln to the Gettysburg Address: Four Score and Seven Years. So you passed that mark one decade ago, Congratulations!

-----Original Message-----
From: JOSEPH LEONE <3n037 at xxxxx> 
Sent: Saturday, August 9, 2025 5:13 PM
To: Vern <jevern at xxxxx>
Cc: Rick Dempster <rickdempster33 at xxxxx>; harp-l <harp-l at xxxxx>; Walter Scanlon <scanlon at xxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Low Maintenance Harp

Magic mystery Vernon

> On 08/08/2025 7:30 PM EDT Vern <jevern at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
>  
> I once had an old reed plate with a few metal-stiffened leather valves.   I bought a kit from MicroMark  and made some photo etched SS stiffeners for Ultrasuede valves.  The etching process was much too complicated and I gave up on it.  It might work.  Compressing the Ultrasuede is much simpler.  Installing metal stiffeners is also more involved.
> 
> Hello to Joe.  I remain in awe of your ability to play by ear in different keys.

It's not my fault Vern. I have sonic hearing. Hear stuff no one hears. Once I learned to play on a C chromo. I was able to use 'tone' association. Example:
1..Ruby Gentry theme was played by George Fielding on a C harp in the key of D.
2...Richard Hayman used an A harp and played it in F. (still comes out D). I use that method as I try to stay in DRAW keys. Btw, I do read but too slow to play from charts as I play too many notes. 

p.s. I always appreciated how you always supported me on slidemeister. 
> 
>  At age 97 I’m going to play the Handsfree Chromatic for some of my neighbors at the Woodbridge Terrace assisted-living facility.

I will never make it. God bless you. 
Jo-Zeppi

> 
> I just glued some sheet rubber to the shelf of my music stand to prevent the sheets from slipping off.
> 
> Vern
> 
> > On Aug 5, 2025, at 1:05 PM, JOSEPH LEONE via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
> > 
> > Big Rick, ola
> > 
> >> On 08/04/2025 9:30 PM EDT Rick Dempster <rickdempster33 at xxxxx> wrote:
> >> 
> >> 
> >> I have a box of metal-tipped (ie weighted) leather valves. Owner of a music shop gave them to me. Never actually tried them. Anyone have any experience with them? Maybe you, Joe.
> >> 
> > I have seen them. Leo Friedman (tech for Minnevitch's harmonica rascals) had some. The metal is something that is corrosion resistant. Probably tin? I have never played anything with those. They are probably very VERY old. My guess? 1920s. 
> > 
> > Joseph of Lentini 
> > 
> >> 
> >> 
> >>