Hey Folks,
Just joined as I am on a mission. Got more harps than talent, but now at 65 decided to get serious. Was a bass horn player in school band and such as well, so wanted to get one of these the first time I laid eyes on it, but the $1200-$1400 price at the time was kinda outta my reach. Anyway got one for $300 off ebay from a fellow in Japan. Is like new and sounds fantastic. If you’re not familiar with it, Paul Oscher plays one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtFJtpM5pE8 .
The harp is about 2 and 1/2 pounds with brass reeds and stainless wrapped around a rosewood comb. It is chromatically tuned with 25 blow only holes and brass accordion reeds arranged like a 25-key keyboard. Range is claimed C-C1, but it is two octave and others says, C2 - C4. My sister is the master sight reader in the family, so I’m not all that sure. I figure from two ledger lines below to one ledger line above a standard staff. I know, Staff? Right, tabs aren’t going to cut it here. It is a bass-line instrument, but I have had a blast sounding out “Amazing Grace.” Even got some over-blows, but minimal change in tone.
Here’s the rub. I am trying to find some, as my sister would say, etudes and methods for this instrument. Exercises basically to get used to the feel and location of things. Going from XB-40 to Blues Harp was easy compared to this. Am just wondering if anyone here might understand enough to suggest such notation for another instrument in the same range to help find the notes on the instrument and try to develop that “muscle memory?”
Thanks,
GregS <><