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Leo Shi Sequence Scale Harmonica
Although they are made by the same factory that produce the
Golden Cup harmonicas, those instruments with the Leo Shi name
seem to have considerably higher production qualities, not to
mention some rather innovative designs. As well as the Leo Shi
bass instruments I have reviewed elsewhere, I have also received
samples of a new tremolo called the Leo Shi Sequence Scale Harmonica.
This is a tremolo version of what is known as the Single Harmonica
(for more details, see www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q36.html).
These are commonly used for music education in the Far East
and are most often single reed harmonicas, rather than a tremolo
instrument like this one. Each group of holes covers one complete
diatonic octave, with a spacer before the next octave begins
and each octave has exactly the same arrangement of notes. In
each group of holes, the notes C, E and G are sounded by blow
reeds, with all the other notes being draw. In the case of this
particular harmonica, the first set of holes covers the notes
C, D, E, F, G and A. The next set of holes covers B, C, D, E,
F, G and A in the middle octave. The next set of holes covers
B, C, D, E, F, G and A in the upper octave and finally there
is a small set of holes covering high B and high C. This arrangement
prevents the notes from getting "out of step" with
each other as they do with the typical Asian-style layout used
for tremolo harps, or omitting certain notes as in the case
of the Western-style tremolos, to balance out the fact that
there are more draw notes (D, F, A and B) than blow notes (C,
E and G).
The sample that I have for review is the Soprano Sequence Scale
harmonica, which covers a range of three diatonic octaves starting
with middle C, ie the same range as a standard 10-hole diatonic
in the key of C. (There is also an Alto Sequence Scale which
is tuned one octave lower, as well as an octave-tuned version
where the upper note of each pair is tuned like the Soprano
and the lower reed like the Alto.)
The instrument is about 6 1/2" (13cm) long, with a smooth
black plastic (ABS) comb. The covers are nicely chromed brass
with minimal engraving. The standard thickness reedplates are
attached with 12 screws and the reed adjustment is very consistent,
giving a nice even response across the all three octaves. Tuning
is quite accurate (Equal Temperament at about A=443/444Hz),
with a fairly mild tremolo effect, ranging from about 1.5Hz
in the low octave to about 4Hz at the top. All in all a very
playable instrument. It comes in a nice hard plastic case with
a form fitted lining.
This would be the ideal solution for those who love the tremolo
sound, but are frustrated by the missing notes of the typical
German-style tremolos and confused by the layout of the Asian-style
tremolos. I hope they are planning on making them available
in other keys.
Once again, these are available on eBay, or directly from:
Cain Trader
4940 Zuni St.
Denver
CO 80221-1376
email: caintrader@attbi.com
web: http://caintrader.com/
Pat Missin
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