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
‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, Rex said it is easy to play on a chromatic. Well here’s how it sounds on a 16 hole chromatic, using the 3 octaves, Low,High and middle.
Whiskat, you played that in the style that Sarge plays and it sounded good. Yes, I learnt that early, books used it as a learning tune. There is a variation but I’ve forgotten that. And I’m sure we all know that tune.
Another on the Discovery. I am reading sheet music here from a hymnal. One thing I like about the chromatic is I can read music and jump right into a tune. The diatonic doesn't work well with sheet music because the notes move around with each key. This is in Eb. Not a key I have memorized, but the sheet music let me learn this quickly.
I've been studying the chromatic for much of this year. I wouldn't say I'm proficient with it but I am having fun learning. Here is a list of old hymns that I think play very well on the chromatic. I can play these by ear in the listed keys. If anybody would like more details on a tune just ask.
Chromatic Hymns Mansion on a Hilltop +3 Eb The Old Rugged Cross +2 C or -1 Bb Just a Closer Walk With Thee +3 C Jesus What a Friend for Sinners +2< F Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling -4 Fairest Lord Jesus aka Beautiful Savior +2< F Have Thine Own Way Lord +3 Eb or -4 G Sweet Hour of Prayer +1 or +5 C I Sing the Mighty Power of God +3 C Amazing Grace -1 G to Ab Jesus Christ is Risen Today -2 F tune LLANFAIR To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King +1 F Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus -3 F Blessed Assurance -4 G I Love to Tell the Story -1 G Precious Memories -1 or -5 G Leaning on the Everlasting Arms -4 G What Child is This aka Greensleeves -3 Am All Things Bright and Beautiful +7 C Jesus Will Reign Where Ever the Sun C or G start on key note Jesus My Lord, My God, My All -5 What a Friend We Have in Jesus -5 G Crown Him With Many Crowns -1< Eb On This Day O Beautiful Mother +2 or +6
That's quite a list you have Rex. Some of those I had not thought of in many years.
Mostly just went through some hymnals playing the sheet music. These are songs that seemed to play well in the listed keys and also seemed to take advantage of the button. Other songs, or these songs in other keys, seemed harder to play or didn't flow smooth or just worked better on a diatonic. I'm no expert on the chromatic, so this list might be useful to someone like me who plays diatonics but is interested in learning the chrome.