How to play an Old Hohner Orchester III to full potential
Winslow
I received a Hohner Orchester III in the key of C as a gift when I was a kid back around the late seventies. I regret not spending the time back then to learn how to properly play it. As an adult I came across this harp during my last move. This prompted my interest in seriously learning how to play the harmonica. Of course I shortly found out I really needed a 10 hole diatonic and that started me down the road into playing blues and significantly growing my harp collection. I have been able to play the Orchester III on the first ten holes, but I am not realizing its full potential. My searches for more info on this harp have left me with little. Would you or anybody on the forum have more info on the note pattern for this harp and/or more info on how to play this harp to its full potential? Of course I won't be playing blues on it, however it would be great to add this harp for some nice 1st position melody playing.
Thanks
Brian
Winslow
It is a C major. It has two rows of 16 holes each. Apparently each top and bottom hole is supposed to be one octave apart based on some of my research. I've been able to play the first ten holes similar to a standard diatonic, however I am not sure if they actually line up notewise. It was hard to try to match up the pitches. I did download a tuner so I might see what I can yield from that. Any additional info would be useful.
Thanks
Brian
Check the blow notes first.
They may go (in ascending order from low to high) C E G C E G C E G, etc.
Or, they may go like this: C E G C C E G C C E G C C E G C (with the two C's side by side)
If you have the side-by-side double C's, then the corresponding draw notes will probably be:
D F A B D F A B D F A B D F A B
This is called solo tuning and is used mostly in chromatic harmonicas. The notes of the scale remain in the same locations relative to one another in all octaves, with no notes missing from the scale.
However, if you have the repeating C E G C E G C E G without the double Cs, then the draw notes will probably be the same as a standard diatonic in the first 10 holes:
D G B D F A B D F A (Note that starting in Hole 3, the sequence of B D F A repeats up to Hole 10)
Holes 11-16 will probably extend the B-D-F-A pattern: B D F A B D
Winslow
I played the blow and draw and used my tuner to check the notes. What I got was very odd.
Blow: E E G G C C E E G G C C E E G G
Draw: G G B B D D F F D A A B B D D F
It's interesting that I played many 1st position melodies on the first 10 holes just like a diatonic and it came out OK. However the holes are quite narrow and I am sure I am likely grabbing the neighboring ones to some degree.
Brian
OK, It appear that what you have is equivalent to an 8-hole diatonic, but starting on Hole 2 and ending on Hole 9.
Or almost.
It appears you have an extra D in the draw notes (the single, non-duplicated D that appears between F and A. It doesn't make sense to have that note there. Can you check to make sure that it's accurate?
Also, you've put the duplicated pitches side by side. In other words, it appears that Hole 1 has Blow E, and then when you move one hole to the right, Hole 2 has another Blow E. (The same placement appears to be true for all the duplicated notes, both blow and draw). Is this accurate, or are the duplicated notes placed BELOW the main note rather than beside them?
Winslow
The duplicates are side by side. I rechecked it several times since it seemed odd, but I was able to repeat it.I'll check on the extra D again. I had tried this a few times too, but I will try it again to make sure..
Thanks
Brian
Hi, Brian.
There were different versions of the Orchester III.
Is yours tuned to C major or C minor?
How many rows of holes does it have?