TELEPHONE HARP CONCERT. Sound Waves Brought Two Miles, and Heard in Union Hall.
Not a large but a very appreciative live audience greeted Mr. Frederick Allen Gower on Wednesday evening, in Union Hall, at his Illustrated lecture and concert on the newly invented instrument, the Telephone Harp. Pearl street, Boston, was called, and Mr. Mathews was asked to play upon the telephone harp, which is an instrument consisting of four octaves of thin steel tongues, set in a steel frame, like a mouth harmonica. Under each tongue is a hammer operated like a telegraphic or pianoforte key. When the keys are played upon, the hammers press the tongues upward, bringing them in connection with a metallic point like that of any telegraphic instrument. When these points are touched by the vibrating tongues, the circuit is opened, the musical note is transmitted over the wire, and repeated at the other end by the telephone. A battery passed electricity through what is termed a Geitler tube, resembling the letter U, and containing hydrogen gas ; and as the notes were played upon the telephonic harp in Boston, the sound waves or vibrations of music corresponded exactly with the flashes of light of various colors, which were thus given out. The hall was darkened of course, during this successful experiment, which the audience unanimously applauded as a most marked and triumphant success of scientific discovery and practical application. A few more remarks were made by Mr. Gower, showing the present commercial success of the telephone, no less than 6,000 being now in use in the United States.
Cambridge Chronicle — 26 January 1878
Novel Harmonica Performance from Prof. Goodwall Merck
Prof. G. Goodwall Merck, introduced his musical novelties. He plays the violin, guitar, banjo and harmonica, finely; and also performs the difficult act of playing upon the harmonica, "guitar, drums, cymbals, triangle and bells, at one and the same time, giving a very good imitation of a band of music.
Cambridge Chronicle — 27 February 1875
Wholesale Notion House.
S. W. Wren & Co. (Formerly of Natches, Miss.) Keep on hand the largest and most Complete Stock of NOTIONS In the State. MERCHANTS Can find a Full Line of Notions of all Kinds: Soaps, Perfumeries, Stationery, School Books, Hosiery, Table and Pocket Cutlery, Combs, Brushes, Pipes, Violins, Looking Glasses, Fish Hooks, and Lines, &c. Remember the Children and look at our stock of TOYS. Dolls. Marbles. Rattles. rubber Balls. Harmonicas. Jews harps. Jumping Josies, Tops, Toy Watches, and a thousand other articles.
Dallas Herald — 21 July 1866
A Promise of First-Rate Entertainment.
On Saturday evening, a duet will be performed by "Professor" T. P. Ryder. on the great organ, and " Professor" Wallach on the "Mouth Harmonica." Subsequently, Mr. patrick will perform a solo on the Mouth Discordica. Altogether, this is high art.
The New Orleans crescent. — 6 January 1869
DYER, ROKOHL & BUTLER - AUCTIONEERS AND COMISSION MERCHANTS
Magnificent Furniture OF SAID RESIDENCE, mahogany Chamber Sets; Rich Lace Curtains, Window Shades and Blinds; 3-Ply and Ingrain Carpets; Beds, Bedding, Sheets, Quilts, Pillow Cases, Lounges, Sofas, Whatnots; Dining room and Kitchen Furniture. 1 Extension Dining Table, 1 excellent Cook Stove; Flatware. Cutlery, Glassware Crockery, Etc., Etc. ALSO1 Splendid Pianoforte, full rich and brilliant tone, rosewood case, carved legs and elegant finish — a superior instrument. Also, 1 Music Box, Harmonica attachment; Also, 1 Monkey, classically educated; Also, 1 Talking Parrot!
Daily Alta California — 17 January 1866
Mr. Shattuck Receives Triple Encore for his Harmonica Efforts!
Royal Arch Lodge gave an entertainment and festival, Tuesday evening, in Pythian Hall. A decided novelty and feature of the evening was Mr. B. E. Shattuck on the harmonica. The gentleman's efforts were so highly appreciated that he received three hearty encores.
Cambridge Chronicle — 22 June 1878
So here is my current deal, I’m kind of focusing my kit for a specific project.
I am leaving in February to Thru hike the Appalachian Trail for about six months.
So obviously carrying my washboard and a brace is out, and I want to really only carry two harps.
I’ve been working on playing bones one handed while playing harp with the other hand, and making some inroads.
So I’m looking at two harps with the broadest coverage for people I play with.
I’m starting the trail with a mandolin player I currently play with, who mostly plays in G, F, D and Dm.
So, currently I’m leaning to my Lucky 13 in G and a Low F powerbender.
With that combo I feel solid in G, D, F and C just in first and second on each, and moderately confident in Am, Em, Gm and Dm in third and fourth.
The lucky 13 in G is probably my favorite harp, and bends really well. I feel like I can play in A or E on that harp just by working it a bit. Not as ideal as having an A, E or D harp with me, but doable.
Feel like this covers me on pretty much most keys I’ll run into.
Of course my mandolin friend could decide to play in Bb, or something, but I could just leave a turd in his tent in that eventuality.
It sounds like you pretty well have it thought out. You've got quite an adventure ahead of you. You might want to slip an A in some little space somewhere just in case you run into a blues person that only plays in E. I don't think you're mando player friend will play in Bb more than once! Be careful!
The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.
What about being a bit forceful and make your friends play in your keys. Don’t always have to be a follower. When you have a rest will you find time to post some of the tunes you pick up? Glad to hear them.
I think the biggest mistake a harp player can make is to play all the time. Not having the right key is a good excuse to play rhythm on those bones or add some vocals. I would suggest you learn the words to some songs. Having a full set of harps can tempt a person to play too much. You don't want folks wishing you would stop playing. It is better to have them wishing you could play more.
Much agreement Rex on playing too much. One reason I currently play washboard, and am learning the bones, rhythm backing is usually welcome, but harp is for me an accent instrument.
I’ve been fortunate to play with a number of local groups, and to play weekly with my recovery music group who are awesome. With them we have a core three or four of us, but sometimes a dozen musicians show up.
Was how I got into washboard really. We had enough guitars and I didn’t wanna be the guy playing harp all the time.
Might think about an A. Actually straight blues in E for some reason is one of my hardest keys to play consistently in. My style is more folk.
I’m a lot happier playing sad string ballads in A or E minor...