[Harp-L] Hohner Echo Harp note layout

[John Kerkhoven]

The Hohner Echo Harp is a two-sided tremolo harmonica. They come in different models (e.g., 2x32 and 2x48) and each model comes in either C and G or D and A.

I have a 2x32 (which means 16 paired holes per side) in C and G, and a 2x48 in A and D.

The first note on the C is and E and on the G it’s a B. Comparing this with a standard diatonic, it’s as though on the 2x32, both sides of the harp start on the two hole.

But with the longer 2x48, it’s a different story.

The D side starts on an F# (the equivalent of the two hole on a D diatonic). The A side starts on an A.

I have a Comet harp (octave harp in C and G) that is 2x40 and there it’s a similar thing: the C side starts on an E, whereas the G side starts on a G.

Why does Hohner do this? Why not start each side of the harp (for models with more than 16 pairs of holes) on the respective tonic note?

Winslow Yerxa, would you have an idea about this?

Thanks,
John

[Winslow Yerxa via Harp-L]

Some diatonic button accordions have the same pairings of note arrangements among their rows (each row is like a diatonic harmonica).
The idea behind this is that when you flip the harp over (or, on an accordion, switch button rows) to change key in a medley, you have a note that's close in pitch to the note in the same hole on the harp you just left. 
On my Hohner double sided D/A, the Low D side has an F#, while the A side has an A as first blow note. 
On my C/G, again the Low C side has an E, while the G side has a G. 
On the F/Bb, the Low F side has an A, while the Bb side has a Bb.

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On Wed, Jul 20, 2016 at 8:03, John Kerkhoven<solo_d...@ca.inter.net> wrote: The Hohner Echo Harp is a two-sided tremolo harmonica. They come in different models (e.g., 2x32 and 2x48) and each model comes in either C and G or D and A.

[John Kerkhoven]

Thanks Winslow.

That makes sense.

Cheers,
John

[rex]

I have an older Seydel Concerto C that starts on E. It is single sided. The new ones start on the tonic. I like the old arrangement because it gives me a complete scale on the high end, no missing 7th. 

In the amount of time it would take to flip a dual harp over you could easily move from one end to the other. However, once upon a time these type harps were also put in "paddle wheels" where harp switching could be done much faster so I can see how the process Winslow mentions would work better on a sextet paddle wheel. 

The notes on tremolo and octave harps are spread out farther than on a diatonic. I find I often am playing only partial chords on the tremolo. On a Richter type layout I don't really miss those low notes if I am vamping to self accompany a melody. Melody note plus 3 chord notes equals 4 notes which is a lot of distance on a tremolo. 8 reeds would also use a lot of air. If I was ONLY playing chords (rare for me) I might want the fuller versions.