Re: Re: Introduction and question

Clair

I do not speak from too much experience as although I have a couple of Suzuki Humming Tremolos (and two of the awful and overrated Hohner Celeste which I cannot play and have given up on) I too am just waiting for my Hohner Comet octave tuned harmonica to arrive.  I have learnt to play reasonably well in key of C reading from music, having got used to the quirky note layout, but have not tried this in other keys yet - hence I look forward to my Comet arriving which is double sided C/G.

However, I have bought a couple of books on the subject, one a bit old fashioned in style but based on the Comet is Sully's Traditional Mouth Organ, http://www.halshawmusic.co.uk/mouth.html , it has a good note layout diagram and another is Tremolo and Octave Harmonica Method by Phil Duncan, http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=96317BCD

With a liking for Scottish music, I have taken inspiration from the wonderful Tremolo and Octave playing (as well as diatonic for the Airs) of Donald Black.  I first saw his performance about a year ago on the Isle of Lismore and three weekends ago I saw him, accompanied by the multi- instrumentalist Malcolm Jones of Runrig, at Cowalfest in Dunoon - it was a privelege to be there.  He held the audience, most of whome who had never heard the harmonica played before, in rapt attention.  In my opinion Donald is the master of tremolo and octave harmonica.  Some of the tunes he played at Cowalfest will be on his next CD being released next year to coincide with the 10th anniversary of his partnership with Malcolm Jones.

Dave



>snip<Ooof. Here I am replying to my own post.

3 hours after my post, I dug out a chart of the standard diatonic harmonica and put it next the one for the tremolo/octave harmonicas and instantly was able to translate. So I'm just filling in the new tab numbers on the old standard sheets.Still, I wouldn't mind some good tips about these harmonicas or at least things to think about them. They sure do sound wonderful.

Thanks and apologies for being so slow -- well maybe not. I only got the new harmonicas yesterday!

Clair