Search found 259 matches

by EdvinW
Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:20 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: Spiral, then Dmin/Cmaj
Replies: 7
Views: 198

Re: Spiral, then Dmin/Cmaj

5ᵗʰ postition does look a bit tricky, but what do you think about 6ᵗʰ position? In the top octave the B would be a half-step bend, but in its first octave, from the first B I think it looks better.
by EdvinW
Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:40 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: creating my own AutoValve
Replies: 3
Views: 69

Re: creating my own AutoValve

Interestingly enough, the Fanfare-S from Seydel may be precisely what you're describing... It's a Tremolo harmonica built around the body of the Seydel De Luxe Steel chromatic. The slider is removed, and just the mouthpiece remains, and the two reedplates are both tuned to the same key. If you are ...
by EdvinW
Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:36 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: Blow and draw reeds an octave apart
Replies: 4
Views: 5857

Re: Blow and draw reeds an octave apart

For these sorts of experiments, a modular reed harp really is the way to go. If you just want to try out how the two reeds will behave in one hole though, you could, as I said, make do with an ordinary sandwich-type harmonica just holding the plates in place with your finger. Let us hear how it work...
by EdvinW
Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:45 am
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: Blow and draw reeds an octave apart
Replies: 4
Views: 5857

Re: Blow and draw reeds an octave apart

I haven't noticed any problems with notes one or even two octaves apart. The only issue I could foresee might be if the Helmholtz resonance of of a longer chamber interferes with the higher note, but I haven't experienced it myself. Because the notes are so far apart, there is no interactive reed be...
by EdvinW
Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:23 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: What is a reasonable level of intonation of chords?
Replies: 0
Views: 16773

What is a reasonable level of intonation of chords?

Alternative title: What is the smallest difference from equal temperament that you find acceptable for nice chords? When fine tuning a harmonica, one faces the decision of whether one wants to prioritise melody playing in many keys or nice, pure-sounding chords in one key. In the former case, one tr...
by EdvinW
Fri Oct 06, 2023 7:54 am
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: An alternative approach to starting new harp players
Replies: 4
Views: 66573

Re: An alternative approach to starting new harp players

Any updates on your neighbour's progress? Or about the method in general?

(I sent you a direct message, by the way!)
by EdvinW
Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:10 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: An alternative approach to starting new harp players
Replies: 4
Views: 66573

Re: An alternative approach to starting new harp players

What a nice story! I'm much looking forward to hearing how this develops! Regarding your choice of tuning I think you are on to something. I have been recommending Paddies whenever I advice beginners for several years! My main motivations are usually to let the beginner play in minor keys and to ext...
by EdvinW
Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:58 am
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: Chromatic for Irish-- there can be only one! (For me at least)
Replies: 8
Views: 44740

Re: Chromatic for Irish-- there can be only one! (For me at least)

This post could come under the category of "Too Much Information!" As long as it concerns harmonicas, there's no such thing :P FLIPPED SLIDER SOUND Using a D chrom to play in D & G is better for Irish music than using a G. In my experience, trad tunes lay better for both keys on the D. I'm a little...
by EdvinW
Wed Mar 01, 2023 2:20 pm
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: PowerChromatic Saxony or deluxe Steel?
Replies: 8
Views: 53764

Re: PowerChromatic Saxony or deluxe Steel?

2nd position works well on a PowerChromatic. When I ask the Seydel configurator for a PowerChromatic in the key of Bb though, its lowest note is a C! You could easily shift it so that blow notes become Bb, C, Eb, G, Bb, etc (A#, C, D#, A# in their notation!) That would give you the covarage you want...
by EdvinW
Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:19 pm
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: TECH TUESDAYS - Sharing Harmonica Inventions
Replies: 15
Views: 62378

Re: TECH TUESDAYS - Sharing Harmonica Inventions

Thanks again for sharing! Have you used the mute in any other harps but the SlipSliders? Mounting some kind of slide with bumps on it on the back, couldn't you add it to a normal harp? One could imagine building tunings especially taking advantage of one (or several!) mutes, and I might some day soo...