Re: Digest Number 68

James,
Your idea is inspiring and I too have been looking for a "better way".
My problems with the Chromatic - for the most part - is yes, the high
maintenance. I am on my 4th, and the most recent purchase (CX12)
sounds best, but has the worst valve problems out of any of 'em. I
have tried everything and it seems impossible to get one with real
projection or power unless you want to spend $4,000 on a Renaissance,
(or at least $500 on a highly customised CX12 or 270, available from
some dedicated and highly capable individuals out there on the web).
Now go play a $35 tremolo harp, right out of the box - Wow! The power,
the tone... it's all there!  From cheap single reed diatonics, to
tremolos, and especially Octave harps...they just sound so much
better. This is why your solution really opens up some possibilities.
I will still play my chromatics, the button thing really comes very
naturally if you keep at it for awhile.
The Suzuki Orchestral harp you mention (with hinges?), I believe is
for playing chords. I guess you could play single-note melodies, and
I've heard of players doing that, but it's designed with four closely
grouped holes (two reeds per hole), either blow (for major), or draw
(for 7th chords), at least on the top deck, I believe. It is just like
the Hohner Model No.267, but I would get the Suzuki because the
plastic combs won't warp or crack...and it just looks way cool.
I also have a Honer 265 Bassharp that I'm presently restoring. It is a
blow-only instrument but is set up as a C scale on the lower, C# on
upper. I am going to re-place the hinges with a "fixed" one, after
researching this at Danny Wilson's site: http://www.bassharp.com/  ,
it seems once you get the right distance figured out btw. your nose
and mouth in relationship to the two decks, it would just be awkward
to have them flopping around.
 Question: If you are using, diatonic C on the lower, and a Db on the
upper - this gives you a complete chromatic scale?
Also, I was just looking at the Suzuki catalog, and the Humming
Tremolo is available in all major keys, it's a bit expensive at $59USD
- but imagine what a sound that would be!
Keep us posted on what else you come up with, and Good Luck.
James
Seattle (soon to be Austin)


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