Message-ID: <Pine.NEB.4.64.0612051410230.16367@panix3.panix.com>
From: Alan Sondheim <sondheim@panix.com>
To: Cyb <cybermind@listserv.aol.com>, Wryting-L <WRYTING-L@listserv.wvu.edu>
Subject: 19th-century harmonica solos
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 14:10:38 -0500 (EST)
19th-century harmonica solos Recently I purchsed a M.Hohner echo (tremolo) harmonica which dates from 1885 or so. This is the earliest harmonica I've seen. Below are three files; the first, slow; the second, faster, and the third derived from the second by stretching the pitch 300%. The instrument is fascinating; it has a slightly different timbre than modern harps, as well as an unusual soundhole arrangement on the cover. I cleaned the interior with rubbing alcohol, and used toothpaste, alcohol, furniture polish, water, and walnut oil on the exterior which is slightly rusted. (Here I go with blindness and diptheria; breathing in rubbing alcohol fumes is an experience that should be missed.) I've been working with harmonica because it's highly portable and can be used anywhere. The chromatic is surprisingly difficult to play; the echo is fairly easy, but difficult to make interesting. In any case, enjoy - http://www.asondheim.org/hohner1.mp3 http://www.asondheim.org/hohner2.mp3 http://www.asondheim.org/hohner2bass.mp3