[Harp-L] Chromatic without valves

[jro...@comcast.net]

I cannot speak to sinus conditions, but there are a few options for playing chromatic harmonicas that do not involve using valves. And doesn't involve attempting to play a diatonic "chromatically".

First, check out this on Pat Missin's website:

http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q24.html

These various slideless chromatic designs do in fact work very well. It can be hard for those who learned on chromatic to adapt in some ways, but people who start on the Tombo S-50 type instruments seem capable of great fluidity in their playing. Check out these videos for a start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTneOw7Fg8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skJbAxy0Vmk

The Tombo S-50 is fairly inexpensive and now it's not hard to find Japanese retailers who will ship pretty much anywhere.

I find the "horn" type harmonicas Pat mentions with their keyboard like layout not quite as easy in some ways, but they are fun. Particularly the Suzuki Alto Single, which feels like playing a trumpet in terms of volume and projection (not sure it's really louder, but it feels like it).

Another option might be the Tombo Unica Formal:

http://www.tombo-m.co.jp/eng/slide.html

This is a slide chromatic but based off the Asian Single harmonica design, which is derived from the Weiner layout, with each reed occupying it's own cell. Therefore it doesn't use valves, since there is no other reed to block off. I think a search of the harp-l archives will give a good description and some reviews. It is a nice harp, well built and the valveless system works. Like S-50 you would need to change your diatonic based skills a bit, but if you've ever played a tremolo it's similar in many ways and not hard to learn.

Just a few options I can think of. Hope this helps.

JR Ross

[Aongus Mac Cana]

I haven't been reading my digests carefully or completely lately, but I
gather that someone is looking for a chromatic without valves.

The Seydel Chromatic "Standard" is valveless - and all things considered is
not particularly "leaky".

I notice that they now only offer it in standard key C, but I was lucky
enough to get a key G through the late Igor Flach in Berlin, when I was a
visitor there a few years ago. Igor Flach by the way was a respected German
Blues Harp exponent and a perfect gentleman.

I wanted a G Chromatic, because this is a very handy instrument for playing
in Irish Trad sessions where most of the tunes will be in either G or D (or
their associated minors). The idea of having no valves to stick also
appealed to me. Another attraction was that as a less than terrific player,
the lack of power from having no valves meant that I was less likely to give
offence to the other more competent musicians.

I have since invested in a more expensive Seydel Saxony in G with stainless
steel reeds and this is now my instrument of choice.

Beannachtai

Aongus Mac Cana