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From: dijk~orldaccess.nl
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 96 22:30:28 GMT
Subject: Re: The.....versus the HOHNER Attitude!

on 28-08-96 23:47, "Barry B. Bean" wrote:

> I'm not sure you should hammer Mr. Muller too hard on the typos
> there, Wim.
>
A couple of months (maybe three) after having recieved Mr. Mullers letter, I met
him at a festival in Hilden (Germany). At first, he did not know me at all. That
doesn't matter. I refreshed his memory a little bit and he remembered some kind of
letter. After having a discussion with this Hohner man, I was completely convinced
of the overall harmonica attitude at the Hohner factory. This man did sell
harmonicas at this festival. The most expensive harmonica he did bring with him,
was the SUPER 64, and all cheaper models (mostly toys) were on the table. He did
sell CD's which are distributed by HOHNER, but didn't bring a CD player with him,
so nobody was able to listen to a CD. When he heard me playing (the chromatic
harmonica without a spring), the only thing he could say was: "I never thought it
is possible to play the harmonica without a spring". He did not want to see the
instrument, did not want to talk about it, he was not interested at all. My level
of playing was defenitly not the problem!

> Personally, the Hohner letter (although worded in pretty obvious
> non-native English) struck me as an especially positive letter. Most
> manufacturers would either ignore your suggestions or send an
> impersonal form letter to the effect of "Thank you for your interest.
> Here's a coupon for 10& of your next widget."

Maybe harmonica manufacturers DO ignore our suggestions. I lived together with a
very tallented classical saxophone player. She was my girlfriend for some years and
is studying in Paris at the moment. I discovered the development of the saxophone
and the influence proffesional players have! There is no part of the Selmer soprano
saxophone (don't know the type anymore) which is not well thought out. It really is
a fantastic instrument (an instrument for half of your life time) and is well worth
the FL. 8000,- guilders. When I play the CX 12 for 6 years, I pay the same for all
the reed plates and my harmonica is worth nothing!

>
> Of course, its far more likely, given that they've been making the
> things for over a century, that they may have fine reasons for doing
> things the way they do. Be prepared to accept that. They may
> incorporate only minor design improvements, or nothing at all.

I only accept reasons which are based on musical thinking. I don't accept any
commercial reasons from a harmonica manufacturer that did never build a
professional harmonica.
Is it not terrible to look at the Hohner catalogue and find out there are only a
couple of different chromatic harmonicas? Most of the models do only have another
cover plate and ofcourse the case is a little bit different. I am only talking
about the development of the chromatic harmonica. Why did they not build a bass
with a slide! It is only a marketing problem.
>
> It sounds to me as if your nose is bent out of joint because they
> didn't immediately embrace your idea and start the assembly line
> running. That was an unrealistic assumption.

No, that is not the truth. Yes, my nose is bent out of joint because of the
nonsence Mr. Muller writes. He wrote: "The tuning system is made many, many years
before. All big harmonica players like Jean Toots Thielemans, Larry Adler, Tommy
Reilly, play this system with big success.". I will never say that it is not
possible to play fantastic music on the very old tuning system. But, the tuning
system does have a logical, historical background. It is very simple to put two
diatonic instruments into one box, when you are already building diatonic
instruments for many years. But, it is not the best way. Ofcourse, it is possible
to play great on these instruments, but that must not be the reason, to think that
the system can't be improved! When you listen to these players very carefully and
realy analyse their playing, they are aware of the disadvantages of the tuning
system and just play it the best they can!
>
> If you'll accept one more bit of advice, perhaps you should consider
> getting together with Joe Filisko, Dick Gardner, or someone else who
> makes or modifies harps professionally on a smaller scale and see if
> they'll work with you. I know that here on the list we have at least
> a few members currently making substantially custom harps. Perhaps
> one of them would be a better start than Hohner.

It would be great!

Maybe my reply sounds a little bit angry but please don't take it personal. It is a
pitty, that such a well known factury like Hohner, does not want to be honest. Why
don't they simply say: "Yes Mr. Dijkgraaf, maybe you are right, but there is no
interesting market for a professional and completely different chromatic
harmonica."? .It sounds angry because of the Hohner attitude. It has nothing to do
with your letter.

Thanks,

Wim Dijkgraaf
The Netherlands