Hello, I would love some thoughts on an idea I have for a custom Harmonica that could be used to provide some neat rhythm for Bluegrass.
In bluegrass bands the Mandolin player will sometimes play a percussive style called a ‘chop’ strum. I want to do something similar with a harmonica. I love the sound of the 1-2-3 draw, and I desire that same chord sound on the same harmonica for the 4th and 5th chord. I desire those chords in a similar pitch.
See the attached image for the idea. I am thinking of trying to make this myself, but I would need to glue parts of three combs together. Not sure how that would go. Clearly, a custom comb and reed plate would be best.
I have tried this idea already at a bluegrass jam while holding three harmonicas in one hand. I know I can get the 4th chord by blowing, but I would rather draw for that “chop/took” effect.
Not sure what is possible for the blow notes on holes 5 & 6. I’d rather have hole 5 blow be an E and 6 blow be a G, but if they need to be F and A, that would be ok. However, goal for keeping the cross-harp pentatonic scale is to allow for runs, like you often hear in Bluegrass.
Any thoughts or ideas on a 10-hole harp that has the option of drawing the 1st, 4th, and 5th chord?
HarpinInTheHoller
