HARPSMITH (Kinya) sent me a harp to play to see if I liked it. It is manufactured by Trochilu. It looks like a chromatic at first glance but its a diatonic. There is a button on the side that when depressed plays the harp a half note higher. It plays fantastic and bends are very easy relative to a Hohner. Each note plays so well and the cost is $84.00. It is a bit larger than my other harps but the way it plays over rides any differences as I am getting used to it quickly. It is like having two harps such as an A and B flat. Its available in other keys.
I will not toss my crossovers but the Trochilu will get more playing time. I never had heard about it until he said one as coming and ask me to play it. It can be tuned for any type of music you like. The higher draws are so easy and bends great. If I want to play a half note up or in my case B flat the button can be typed closed.
Has anyone played one of these? If so what do you think of it.?
I wrote a book about them last spring. It’s very detailed and written for experts. But if you are up for an adventure, search “double blues harps book” on Amazon.
I’m writing one for beginners and intermediates currently, I anticipate I’ll publish it this summer.
Anything you want to know about them, I can probably tell you.
I can also say the same company (JDR) makes many great instruments, and it’s what I play. Only exception is if they don’t make a particular type of harp, I’ll play another brand. Anything you want to know about them, I’m happy to attempt an answer.