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From: WVE~ol.com
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 1996 19:05:49 -0400
Subject: Re: Hohner Polyphonia question

In a message dated 96-10-05 22:04:49 EDT, brianr writes:

>I ran across a "Hohner Polyphonia, No. 5" at an antique show today. I've
>never seen one before - they're asking $32. Is there any special value to
>this?
>
>It has two rows of 25 holes, apparently key of D. On the back it has a
>piano keyboard stamped into the coverplate, showing the sharps and flats as
>well as the whole notes. These look hand-stamped since they don't line up
>perfectly.
>
>Thanks in advance for any advice,
>
>Bri
>I'm a rock and roll peg in a country hole...
> - Greg 'Fingers' Taylor
>
Isn't naming a key for the polyphonia like naming a key for the piano? It is
the missing notes that define the key of a harp. Since none are missing on
the polyphonia and each is played like any other, I suggest to you that the
polyphonia has no one key to which it is tuned. It may be the only harmonica
that is as easy to play in one key as in another.

On a chromatic, the key is defined by the scales assigned to the repetitive
octaves...usually C to C. However, the polyphonia is arranged in ascending
halftones and any octave gets repeated just like any other.

I think that it is a steal at $32 because I don't think Hohner makes them any
more..and if they do, the price is a lot higher.. You can learn to play a
dynamite "Flight of the Bumblebee" on one because halftone intervals are
quick and easy!

Just last year, an amazing artist on simultaneous polyphonia and guitar died.
He could play chromatic music because he didn't need an extra hand for a
slide. I can't remember his name other than it was a little unusual.

Vern