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

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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

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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

Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps

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Syl
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Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 15, 2022 3:22:16 GMT Chuck likes this

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Post by Syl on Nov 15, 2022 3:22:16 GMT

By "same" reed I mean the reed at the same position.

I have a D (low) and a G 21 holes Humming tremolo harmonica from Suzuki, and on both, after only a couple of months of playing in traditionnal irish session, the upper reed on 12th hole (i.e. blown middle A on the D harp and blown middle D on the G harp) are getting flat, even after retunning them manually, to the point of almost losing a semi tone.... This is not happening on the others keys (A, C, F...) but I used far less in sessions than the D and G.

I assume these are good quality harps, so I am wondering maybe my blowing technique is not good and I am blowing too hard especially during traditionnal irish session at the the pub where I have to play louder to be heard amongst many pipers, fiddlers, flutes, accordion etc.

Am I alone in this case ? Does it occur often for tremolo sessionners to have to change reed/reedplates ?

Should I question my technique ? I tend to tongue block for slower tunes and use pucker for fast reels and quick ornementations.
Maybe the pucker technique puts too much pressure on the reeds over accentued notes ? I use the diaphragm to accent notes. Works well on my 10 holes diatonic but maybe its too much for the tremolo ?

To show some examples, here's a video of me playing an irish reel with pucker style :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPgXDtrYkQ

And here's a french waltz with tongue blocking style :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dFasK-U-rQ

Any advice is welcome

I'd like not to have to buy a new harp every month

Many thanks in advance !

Syl

Last Edit: Nov 15, 2022 3:27:53 GMT by Syl: adding some video examples

Keith Global Moderator Posts: 617	Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 15, 2022 9:51:45 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Keith on Nov 15, 2022 9:51:45 GMT I imagine that you would be blowing them out, especially as you are trying to compete in your sessions. Rex, our tremolo 'expert', will find this post shortly & give some better advice.
	Last Edit: Nov 15, 2022 9:52:51 GMT by Keith (Trying to do justice to various instruments.)

Syl
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Posts: 10

Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 15, 2022 11:46:18 GMT

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Post by Syl on Nov 15, 2022 11:46:18 GMT

Thanks Keith.

Indeed. I believe tongue blocking put lets pressure on individual reeds as maybe the embouchure is somewhat less airtight than using pucker technique.
Also, using chords with tongue blocking to mark the afterbeat instead of using diaphragm in pucker style to raise de volume of a note (irish flute style technique) is also more "reed friendly" as the accent is marked by "thicker" sound (a chord, where each reed is note being played any louder than before) rather than a "louder" single note where a single reed as to give by itself more volume and thus requires more pressure.

But maybe I'm wrong, and any tips are more than welcome

Syl

Sarge Administrator Posts: 1,708	Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 15, 2022 12:52:33 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Nov 15, 2022 12:52:33 GMT I can't help you on that flatted reed problem Syl, but wanted to say that I really enjoyed that waltz you played!!
	The older I get the more I know how little I knew when I knew it all.

Syl
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Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 15, 2022 12:58:44 GMT

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Post by Syl on Nov 15, 2022 12:58:44 GMT

Thank you Sarge ! I think you'll find some other waltzes on my youtube channel (and some mazurkas as well).

Regarding the flat reed issue, it used to happened to me on low key 10 holes diatonic as well (but on low keys only, such as Low D). Maybe the low keys reeds are more subject to pressure fatigue.

Syl

Rex
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Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 16, 2022 16:08:39 GMT via mobile

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Post by Rex on Nov 16, 2022 16:08:39 GMT

My Suzuki Humming D and G are probably 15 years old. No problems. Your reeds may be close to breaking. Be careful. You don't want to inhale a reed.

Your harmonicas are competing with louder instruments. Here are some options.

Higher pitched harps will cut through the mix better. You probably won't have to blow so hard on a higher pitched harp to be heard. Also lower pitched reeds have weighted tips and swing farther.
Suzuki makes a High D. The standard D from Tombo or Easttop or DaBell should also be in the same range as a standard D diatonic.

Get a Seydel Skydiver. Their D is higher than Suzuki and also has steel reeds which are supposed to be more robust. You may also want to get the Skydiver in G. Seydel also makes the Sailor tremolo, but it is Richter tuned. Since you have played diatonics, you are already aware of the difference for session music.

Get a G octave harp. It will have a standard G plate and a high G plate. Nice volume and a different sound for your group. However, most are Richter tuned. Suzuki made octaves a few years ago. I don't know if they still do.

Depending on your group, a small amp would solve your problem. Amps are not welcome at many sessions. I have a battery powered Roland Micro Cube. Only 2 watts and it can sit under my chair. It won't blast over the rest of the group, yet you can play your harps at normal levels and be heard.

One more idea is to tune up the C notes on your G to C#. Then the G will play in D. It's called playing in second position. I find it useful for some tunes, but you may not want to relearn a new arrangement.

Of all these options, I would recommend trying the steel reed Seydel. Mine have good volume and the tuning is very stable.

Last Edit: Nov 16, 2022 16:12:37 GMT by Rex

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Rex
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Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 16, 2022 18:16:48 GMT via mobile

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Post by Rex on Nov 16, 2022 18:16:48 GMT

Allow me to add two more thoughts to the already too long reply I first posted.
Brendan Power has some really good videos on YouTube that show how to replace the welded reeds on a Suzuki. Basically, you twist off the old reed, drill a hole through the new reed and the plate, tap the plate, and secure the new reed with a tiny screw. So don't throw away your old Suzuki.
Seydel uses rivets, so reeds are easier to replace.

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dezzy
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Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 17, 2022 4:03:16 GMT

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Post by dezzy on Nov 17, 2022 4:03:16 GMT

Rex, I think the problem Syl has is not solved by your lengthy explanation. He asked why hole 12 on one harp goes flat and the hole 12 on another harmonica goes flat. Why both on hole 12?
My thought to Sly is that it’s a coincidence. I see the only thing linking the 2 harmonicas is the amount of times both holes have been used and with the same force. Seems strange to me.

Syl
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Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps Nov 17, 2022 17:18:51 GMT Rex likes this

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Post by Syl on Nov 17, 2022 17:18:51 GMT

Thank you Rex and Dezzy !

I play a standard D Tombo as well (bottom octave), no problem with this one, but it is less airtight as the Suzuki (low D). I have a Tombo Octave in G as well, it is a mix of Low G and standard G.
I often used my G tremolo to play in D in second position anyway (and my D to play in G in 12th position). I use position 1,2,3,4,5 and 12 one my harps so I have options, but wanted to know if my blowing technique was the problem, and it seems yes. I will simply try not to compete with others in session as it is not good for the harp.

Thanks again for your kind advices !

Syl

Folkharmonica

TELEPHONE HARP CONCERT. Sound Waves Brought Two Miles, and Heard in Union Hall.

Novel Harmonica Performance from Prof. Goodwall Merck

Wholesale Notion House.

A Promise of First-Rate Entertainment.

DYER, ROKOHL & BUTLER - AUCTIONEERS AND COMISSION MERCHANTS

Mr. Shattuck Receives Triple Encore for his Harmonica Efforts!

Same reed getting flat on 2 differents tremolo harps

Post by Syl on Nov 15, 2022 3:22:16 GMT

Post by Keith on Nov 15, 2022 9:51:45 GMT

Post by Syl on Nov 15, 2022 11:46:18 GMT

Post by Sarge on Nov 15, 2022 12:52:33 GMT

Post by Syl on Nov 15, 2022 12:58:44 GMT

Post by Rex on Nov 16, 2022 16:08:39 GMT

Post by Rex on Nov 16, 2022 18:16:48 GMT

Post by dezzy on Nov 17, 2022 4:03:16 GMT

Post by Syl on Nov 17, 2022 17:18:51 GMT

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