Kick-starting 2005

With the New Year, I am hoping to really kick-start my tremolo and 
octave harmonica playing.  Keeping that in mind, I have a few new 
items to post.

1) Impressions of the Huang Tremolo (Musette):  Not bad for the 
price.  I got them online from http://www.mymusicmart.com for a 
pretty low price.  One thing that immediately sticks out is that the 
tremolo effect is *very* pronounced - nothing subtle about it 
(unlike the Hohner Weekender, which has a straight tuned layout, but 
more subtle tremolo)!  Time will tell if it will hold up, and I am 
still adjusting to the sound, but it seems pretty nice thus far.  
Plus, it does come in a nice cloth lined case.

2) I picked up a copy of the Mel Bay "Tremolo and Octave Harmonica 
Method" book/CD.  Not too bad.  It does have the nice feature of 
listing the different layouts of the notes in the various models of 
tremolo harmonicas (including the Huang and Hohner Weekender).  
Unfortunately, the notations in the songs are based (I think) on the 
Richter tuned tremolos.  The upside is that I'm going to be forced 
to learn to read music...

Well folks, hope that this generates some posting and discussion.

Happy 2005!

Jeremy.