April 14, 2022

Gerhard Mueller interview

Gerhard Mueller interview

Gerhard Mueller joins me on episode 59. Gerhard is the Product Manager for Hohner harmonicas, a role he has held for 28 years. His father worked as a gardener at the Hohner factory in Trossingen, and as well as getting his son harmonica lessons, he even had a hand in helping Gerhard land his dream job at Hohner. Gerhard talks us through the fascinating history of Hohner and how it was established as the leading harmonica brand in the world having sold over 1 billion harmonicas since the compa...

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Season 1 Chromatic Harmonica Classical Chromatic Harmonica Customiser Group Harmonica

Gerhard Mueller joins me on episode 59.

Gerhard is the Product Manager for Hohner harmonicas, a role he has held for 28 years. His father worked as a gardener at the Hohner factory in Trossingen, and as well as getting his son harmonica lessons, he even had a hand in helping Gerhard land his dream job at Hohner.

Gerhard talks us through the fascinating history of Hohner and how it was established as the leading harmonica brand in the world having sold over 1 billion harmonicas since the company began. Gerhard tells us all about Hohner’s harmonica offerings as well as some of the accessories offered and the yearly events hosted in Trossingen.

Gerhard is also a fine chromatic player himself, having been part of the Hohnerklang Orchestra in Trossingen for over 25 years, he also regularly performs in his harmonica quartet Harmonicamento. 


Links:
Hohner website:
https://www.hohner.de

Trossingen harmonica museum:
https://www.hohner.de/en/community/harmonica-museum

Marine Band 125 in 2021:
https://www.hohner.de/#youtube-1

Harmonicamento quartet:
http://www.harmonicamento.de/

Toots Thielemans 100th birthday concert:
https://www.bozar.be/en/calendar/toots-thielemans-100th-anniversary-official-concert

Other Toots 100th birthday celebrations in Brussels:
https://www.thebulletin.be/toots-100-brussels-launches-centenary-celebration-jazz-giants-birth

Hohner endorsees:
https://www.hohner.de/en/community/artists

CShop for parts:
http://www.hohner-cshop.de/en/home/

Harmonica Masters Workshop, happening in June 2022:
https://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/


Videos:
Sheng harmonica:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWt4mf3whxw

Harpin’ By The Sea Hohner presentation (including Trossingen Factory Tour):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuRqqT_eSIM

Harmonicamento at SPAH in 2011:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fmxly46ewM

Steve Baker discussing the HB52 microphone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a9V8Grhmr4


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away

Support the show

01:38 - Gerhard is the Product Manager for Hohner harmonicas Germany, having worked at Hohner for 38 years

01:50 - Has been Hohner harmonicas Product Manager for 27 or 28 years

01:57 - Father also worked at the Hohner factory (as a gardener)

02:49 - Started playing harmonica age 7, and his father also played

03:16 - History of Hohner, which has founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner

03:52 - The Marine Band is the iconic diatonic harmonica played by most of the great blues players

04:06 - The harmonica museum in Trossingen and the numerous harmonica manufacturers who were based in Trossingen

04:30 - How Matthias Hohner founded the Hohner harmonica company

05:59 - Why Germany was the leading harmonica manufacturer

07:47 - Marine Band was 125 years old in 2021, and Hohner released commemorative harmonica

09:59 - Mr Ritcher, who invented the Richter tuning used on most diatonic harmonicas

11:04 - How the Richter tuning was accidentally suited for the blues

12:06 - Harmonicas were originally mass produced cheap instruments

13:10 - Hohner’s presence in the US

14:08 - Hohner manufacturers in Germany and China

15:31 - Online presentation given at HBTS event in 2021 includes a great factory tour

15:59 - What does being the Product Manager for harmonicas at Hohner involve

17:24 - Development of new harmonica products

18:01 - Attends harmonica festivals around the world

19:42 - Gerhard is a player, mainly of the chromatic, and part of the Hohnerklang orchestra in Trossingen

20:39 - Has own harmonica quartet: Harmonicamento

22:19 - Also plays some diatonic and harmonetta

22:40 - Won group competition in Trossingen in 1997 and played in lots of countries

24:25 - Advantages of being a harmonica player when the Product Manager for harmonicas

25:43 - Quality of Hohner harmonicas and role of customisers

28:13 - Hohner accredited customers and what they do to improve harmonicas

31:00 - Why don’t Hohner use steel reeds

32:55 - Hohner diatonic range

35:35 - Plastic bodied diatonic range

37:54 - 270 chromatic (Gerhard plays 270 deluxe)

39:59 - Toots 100th birthday celebration concert in Brussels (Gregoire Maret playing harmonica)

40:17 - Performance range of chromatics

41:11 - Gerhard plays 12 hole chromatics

41:53 - Hohner’s orchestral range, which is still popular in Asia

43:05 - Other harmonicas sold by Hohner

43:15 - Flex cases sold by Hohner

44:17 - Hohner’s HB52 microphone is designed by SE Electronics

46:10 - Hohner endorsees

48:07 - Shop for Hohner spare parts

50:17 - World Harmonica Festival happens every four years in Trossingen

50:57 - Masters Workshops happening in June this year, with Jason Ricci teaching for first time

52:20 - 10 minute question

54:32 - Gerhard’s harmonicas of choice

55:02 - Different tunings

55:26 - Diatonics of choice

55:52 - Embouchre

55:56 - Mics and amps

57:08 - How did Hohner fare during the pandemic

WEBVTT

00:00:00.481 --> 00:00:02.323
Gerhard Muller joins me on episode 59.

00:00:03.584 --> 00:00:08.330
Gerhard is the product manager for Hohner Harmonicas, a role that he has held for 28 years.

00:00:08.992 --> 00:00:18.301
His father worked as a gardener at the Hohner factory in Trossingen, and as well as getting his son harmonica lessons, he even had a hand in helping Gerhard land his dream job at Hohner.

00:00:18.862 --> 00:00:28.814
Gerhard talks us through the fascinating history of Hohner and how it was established as the leading harmonica brand in the world, having sold over 1 billion harmonicas since the company began.

00:00:29.185 --> 00:00:36.195
Gerhard tells us all about Holner's harmonica offerings as well as some of the accessories offered and the yearly events hosted in Trottingen.

00:00:36.496 --> 00:00:43.625
Gerhard is also a fine chromatic player himself, having been part of the Holner Klang Orchestra in Trottingen for over 25 years.

00:00:43.906 --> 00:00:48.612
He also regularly performs in his harmonica quartet, Harmonica Mento.

00:01:06.754 --> 00:01:09.109
So hello Gerhard Muller and welcome to the podcast.

00:01:09.537 --> 00:01:11.480
Neil, thank you so much for the invitation.

00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:16.403
So you are the product manager for Hohner Harmonicas in Germany.

00:01:16.543 --> 00:01:16.763
That's

00:01:16.864 --> 00:01:17.084
true,

00:01:17.165 --> 00:01:17.405
yes.

00:01:17.704 --> 00:01:20.027
I've been doing this job for many, many years already.

00:01:20.046 --> 00:01:20.147
Great.

00:01:20.668 --> 00:01:20.787
So

00:01:20.808 --> 00:01:20.968
when

00:01:20.987 --> 00:01:21.808
did you start this role?

00:01:21.989 --> 00:01:24.271
I'm an old guy already.

00:01:24.290 --> 00:01:24.990
No, not too old.

00:01:25.010 --> 00:01:27.793
Yes, I'm right now 57 years.

00:01:28.034 --> 00:01:32.257
I started my career at the Hohner companies and this was in 1984.

00:01:33.218 --> 00:01:37.641
So this year, that will be the 38th year as a member of the Hohner staff.

00:01:38.003 --> 00:01:40.685
And I started my career of course, as a kind of what?

00:01:40.885 --> 00:01:41.506
Businessman.

00:01:41.605 --> 00:01:47.231
And then as I'm a harmonica player myself, I then went to the product management of Hohner.

00:01:47.272 --> 00:01:49.334
And this is already many, many years before.

00:01:49.495 --> 00:01:54.859
I think this year could be 27, 28 years of product management for Hohner Harmonica.

00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:55.320
Wow.

00:01:55.581 --> 00:01:57.162
So yeah, a long history there.

00:01:57.503 --> 00:02:00.706
And is it right that your father also worked at the Hohner factory?

00:02:00.947 --> 00:02:01.688
Yeah, that's true.

00:02:02.308 --> 00:02:05.272
My father, he was a gardener, you know, the Hohner company.

00:02:05.391 --> 00:02:12.139
I mean, they had, this was a family owned company and all the sons of the founder, Matthias Hohner.

00:02:12.278 --> 00:02:16.182
They have big houses here in Trossingen and the area around Trossingen.

00:02:16.223 --> 00:02:17.525
And my father was the gardener.

00:02:17.645 --> 00:02:20.967
So he prepared all the surroundings of these nice villas.

00:02:21.008 --> 00:02:23.770
And of course, also the surrounding of the Hohner company itself.

00:02:24.132 --> 00:02:27.716
My father worked at the company also around 30 years.

00:02:28.316 --> 00:02:29.317
Yes, that's true.

00:02:29.516 --> 00:02:34.323
I have a long family experience with the Hohner company here in Trossingen.

00:02:34.342 --> 00:02:37.186
But he didn't influence you getting the job at Hohner yourself?

00:02:37.325 --> 00:02:38.586
To be honest, he did.

00:02:38.727 --> 00:02:40.709
Yeah, because I really was on the search.

00:02:41.050 --> 00:02:42.852
So what should I do after my school?

00:02:42.891 --> 00:02:49.679
I'm born in Trussingen because Hohner is still one of the biggest factories and I was also influenced definitely.

00:02:49.699 --> 00:03:00.270
You start playing a musical instrument of Hohner when you are in school and I start playing the harmonica because my father also played the harmonica when he was young.

00:03:00.430 --> 00:03:01.592
He played in an orchestra.

00:03:01.891 --> 00:03:03.052
I did the same thing.

00:03:03.073 --> 00:03:06.977
I started playing the harmonica already in the age of seven years.

00:03:06.997 --> 00:03:14.004
I went to school and everybody played a either the harmonica or the accordion or the melodica.

00:03:14.145 --> 00:03:16.508
Some of them are also playing the recordos from Hohner.

00:03:16.707 --> 00:03:17.187
Fantastic.

00:03:17.228 --> 00:03:20.110
So it's probably worth at this point just touching on some of the history of Hohner.

00:03:20.151 --> 00:03:25.116
So I believe that Matthäus Hohner founded the factory there in Trossingen in 1857.

00:03:25.356 --> 00:03:25.537
Right.

00:03:25.616 --> 00:03:29.281
Was it originally for harmonicas or was it accordions or both?

00:03:29.562 --> 00:03:31.623
No, he started his business with harmonicas.

00:03:31.704 --> 00:03:37.030
So his sons, he had five sons, and they implemented the accordion in 1992, 1994.

00:03:37.409 --> 00:03:43.015
I'm not sure about this date exactly, but they were sons, they implemented the accordions to the business of Hohner.

00:03:43.135 --> 00:03:46.719
Matthias Hohner, he started his business definitely with harmonicas in 1857.

00:03:47.401 --> 00:03:59.894
So, obviously, Hohner is a really critical part of the history of the harmonica, and a lot of people, obviously, associate the marine band with being the iconic harmonica, certainly the iconic diatonic harmonica, and all the blues players used to play marine bands.

00:04:00.014 --> 00:04:05.780
Do you know, how did Hohner get into this position to, you know, sort of become the harmonica of choice back then?

00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:12.026
If you go to Drossingen, we also have the biggest harmonica in museum here with a really fantastic exhibition.

00:04:12.206 --> 00:04:18.673
And there, of course, you also can check out the history of Hohner, but also all the other brands, especially located here in Schrodinger.

00:04:18.774 --> 00:04:23.199
Hohner was not the only manufacturer at the period when the company was established.

00:04:23.358 --> 00:04:26.062
There were several other harmonica manufacturers.

00:04:26.281 --> 00:04:30.045
There was a company called Weiss and Messner and Koch.

00:04:30.447 --> 00:04:36.533
And Hohner himself, Matthias Hohner, he had a good friend, and this was Christian Messner.

00:04:36.653 --> 00:04:41.158
And Christian Messner was already producing harmonica before Horner and Trostingen.

00:04:41.418 --> 00:04:42.478
And they were good friends.

00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:48.665
And Matthias Horner, he very often went over to Christian Messner and asked him, well, what are you doing?

00:04:48.846 --> 00:04:50.867
Oh, here, I'm just preparing harmonicas.

00:04:51.028 --> 00:04:51.889
Oh, that's interesting.

00:04:52.089 --> 00:04:52.891
How does it work?

00:04:53.050 --> 00:04:56.074
Then he figured out how Christian Messner did the harmonicas.

00:04:56.314 --> 00:04:59.737
So he was more or less, Matthias Horner was more or less a kind of spy.

00:04:59.937 --> 00:05:03.461
And he checked out how is Christian Messner doing his harmonicas.

00:05:03.742 --> 00:05:15.415
And then he started himself the business and started preparing the harmonicas and found out oh, wow, there's a really big business I can do afterwards, depending how to produce the harmonicas.

00:05:15.574 --> 00:05:23.963
And Christian Messner, he was the guy who made the harmonicas, a lot of handcrafting things, which is still here also in the company today.

00:05:24.163 --> 00:05:32.973
But Matthias Hohner, he found out, well, he should do it a little more easy with more specialized machines to produce harmonicas even faster.

00:05:33.074 --> 00:05:35.456
And of course, even less expensive.

00:05:35.675 --> 00:05:46.827
And then he grabbed more and more market share because he produced harmonicas very high class harmonicas and to a lower price level like all the other competitors in Trussingen, Messner, Koch, Weiss.

00:05:47.028 --> 00:05:51.473
So after the period of time, Messner, he bought Koch, he bought Weiss.

00:05:51.512 --> 00:05:55.978
So he was the only one who's producing high quality harmonicas in Trussingen.

00:05:56.137 --> 00:05:59.281
So this was how Matthias Hauner started his business.

00:05:59.802 --> 00:06:04.726
So why is it that Germany has become such a central place for manufacturing harmonicas?

00:06:04.747 --> 00:06:08.612
Obviously, I talked to Seidel in the last episode and Hauner, very well established.

00:06:08.992 --> 00:06:09.072
Okay.

00:06:09.072 --> 00:06:10.452
I can't give you the right answer.

00:06:10.653 --> 00:06:19.562
I know, of course, and this is what Seidl is announcing, that they were established in 1847, so even 10 years older than Hohner Company.

00:06:19.702 --> 00:06:27.891
But I know that especially in the area where Seidl is located, in Klingenthal, there is a big business of musical instruments, a long history to do there.

00:06:28.091 --> 00:06:34.639
Maybe this is one reason why the harmonica industry started in Germany to influence the whole world.

00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:39.024
Of course, the original harmonica, pre-harmonica, was a Schengen.

00:06:39.024 --> 00:06:40.384
Yeah, the Chinese version.

00:06:40.404 --> 00:06:40.810
Chinese, right.

00:06:55.553 --> 00:07:02.459
But I'm really not sure why the industry for harmonica is so strong established in Germany.

00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:08.125
Possibly because of the history of musical instrument manufacturing in Klingenthal.

00:07:08.225 --> 00:07:09.466
So this could be one reason.

00:07:09.886 --> 00:07:11.947
Of course, there are other ones too these days.

00:07:12.007 --> 00:07:14.630
But yeah, obviously very strong history in Germany there.

00:07:14.930 --> 00:07:20.055
So the Marine Band, which we touched on a little bit there, it's had its 125th anniversary in 21.

00:07:20.456 --> 00:07:24.579
That became the go-to choice for many blues players, certainly in America, didn't it?

00:07:24.619 --> 00:07:27.482
So you obviously got your distribution right in America at that time

00:07:27.721 --> 00:08:24.382
yeah I mean what is still the case we have a very big success and also big business in the US I mean there are a lot of harmonica players of course blues players country players so we sell a lot of our tenor diatonic harmonicas into the US biggest market still for us the marine band especially you mentioned that we had last year the 125th anniversary of the harmonica and we tried to do be very close to the real or original marine band 1896 so we did the cover plates especially the so-called mickey mouse cover flaps so that they are very close to the original and also the coloring of pervert comb was very close to the original this is really the icon as you mentioned a lot of these old traditional blues players sunny terry sonny

00:08:27.137 --> 00:08:31.613
Thank you.

00:08:33.793 --> 00:08:39.599
They played this harmonica because this was, yes, the only one which Hohner produced at that time.

00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:49.326
Of course, there were some others, but especially this one was an icon because of the wooden comb, of course, starting the production in the late 1900s.

00:08:49.607 --> 00:08:55.773
There was, of course, no plastic combs available because plastic was not established that much compared to these times.

00:08:56.033 --> 00:09:00.356
But Hohner, yes, they started producing the Marine Band in 1896.

00:09:00.937 --> 00:09:09.886
And this was when Jakob Hohner, one son of the founder, Matthias Hohner, he made the patent especially for the cover plate shape.

00:09:10.547 --> 00:09:11.528
And this was in 1896.

00:09:11.869 --> 00:09:24.062
So therefore, this is a reason why we still call the Marine Band 1896, 1896, because of the patent, which then also happened and also agreed so that we have real patent for the cover plate shape, especially.

00:09:24.721 --> 00:09:29.868
So the Marine Band came out in 1896, as you say, Hohner was established and founded in 1857.

00:09:29.908 --> 00:09:34.011
So was the design of the 10-hole diatonic, as we can know it.

00:09:34.312 --> 00:09:35.193
When did that come about?

00:09:35.234 --> 00:09:38.437
Was it started with the Marine Band or was it before then?

00:09:38.817 --> 00:09:40.379
No, this must be before.

00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:48.106
I'm not sure exactly about when this ten-hole diatonic harmonica, especially the tonal layout with the ten holes, was established.

00:09:48.388 --> 00:09:50.149
This was not honoured, as I mentioned.

00:09:50.549 --> 00:10:01.181
Christian Messner, he also produced these kind of harmonicas before and possibly also, I mean, there are some names in the scenes that say, well, there was Mr.

00:10:01.321 --> 00:10:07.307
Richter, because we also sometimes say not ten Yeah, so Mr.

00:10:11.673 --> 00:10:13.875
Richter,

00:10:13.995 --> 00:10:20.942
as you say, the Richter tuning, which we're all very familiar with, with the ten-hole diatonics, he was a German, right, as you've just said, yeah?

00:10:21.023 --> 00:10:21.682
Yeah, yeah.

00:10:21.702 --> 00:10:28.110
You know, I hear many times discussions that that layout was selected because it suited kind of German folk music at the time.

00:10:28.149 --> 00:10:28.510
That's

00:10:28.551 --> 00:10:28.811
true.

00:10:29.370 --> 00:10:41.993
Yeah, I mean, you play normally, I mean, after maybe in the 20s, century, there was implemented then the harmonica, the Richter tuning to the blues, but normally originally you play the harmonica like this.

00:10:42.133 --> 00:10:44.378
I have just here a C major harmonica.

00:10:44.418 --> 00:10:46.361
Can I play a little bit of German folk music?

00:10:46.923 --> 00:10:47.484
Yes, please.

00:11:04.898 --> 00:11:10.523
So it was a complete accident then that this Richter tuning just works so well for blues.

00:11:10.582 --> 00:11:14.285
I think, you know, we're all kind of blown away by the fact that it was a kind of accident.

00:11:14.586 --> 00:11:20.631
So as far as you know, it wasn't designed intentionally to be able to bend the notes that suited blues so well in second position.

00:11:20.871 --> 00:11:21.633
Absolutely not.

00:11:21.812 --> 00:11:30.519
No, because this was, yes, a traditional folk music instrument, especially with this tonal layout, because you can play, especially in three holes, the chords, nice chords.

00:11:31.201 --> 00:11:34.803
This was a C major harmonica, so you can play all over the whole ten...

00:11:34.864 --> 00:11:40.590
arranged C major chords, and on the three holes in the low end, you can play them G7 chords.

00:11:40.889 --> 00:11:49.419
And then this was, play the melody in the middle part of the instrument, and then accompany yourself with nice chords on the low end of the instrument.

00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:51.041
This was the original intention.

00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:59.129
It's like some sort of magic coincidence, isn't it, that this just works so well for playing blues and other things, but obviously particularly blues with the diatonic is so strong, yeah.

00:11:59.570 --> 00:12:22.695
You know, great bit of a history there of Holner, and also, as you say, other harmonica manufacturers in Germany in the early days there so as far as you know was the harmonica always a big seller even from 1857 you know obviously the harmonica is relatively cheap instrument to buy less so these days with the better quality harmonicas but was the sort of business model you know sell as many as possible because they're relatively cheap and you know almost everyone can own one right

00:12:23.135 --> 00:12:37.791
yeah I mean this is the reason yes you know I mean harmonica was really a very cheap harmonica if you see old advertising from Horner there was a big display of oh the harmonica is just 27 So this was, of course, many, many years before.

00:12:37.971 --> 00:12:40.975
But the harmonica was a cheap instrument and you can play music there.

00:12:41.134 --> 00:12:44.759
And yes, you have lonely evenings, you sit at home, nothing to do.

00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:51.426
So you can play simply melodies on a cheap musical instrument and you can play great music on this musical instrument.

00:12:51.446 --> 00:12:57.471
So therefore, this was when Hohner really started to produce many, many millions of harmonicas.

00:12:57.692 --> 00:13:09.705
We count since the beginning when Hohner started to produce the instruments at least many, many more than 1 billion harmonicas Hohner produced over this long tradition.

00:13:09.905 --> 00:13:10.105
Wow.

00:13:10.365 --> 00:13:13.609
You mentioned Hohner obviously got a very strong presence in the US as well.

00:13:13.629 --> 00:13:15.191
We get lots of listeners from the US.

00:13:15.250 --> 00:13:17.352
So what is the relationship with Hohner US?

00:13:17.573 --> 00:13:18.534
How does that work?

00:13:18.754 --> 00:13:19.134
Oh, pretty

00:13:19.174 --> 00:13:19.355
well.

00:13:19.416 --> 00:13:23.480
We had a long history and we also have fantastic colleagues over there.

00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:28.765
They do a brilliant job to introduce new products and of course also sell the existing model range.

00:13:28.926 --> 00:13:33.190
This is really fantastic because they're also some of them, of course, are musicians.

00:13:33.331 --> 00:13:40.597
They know the scene and they also went a lot to special exhibitions, to special events like the spa convention every year.

00:13:40.618 --> 00:13:55.975
They do a really very good job to sell the Horner-branded harmonicas and, of course, also the other musical instruments from Horner, just like the accordions, because there's a big Latino scene, especially in Colombia, where we sell a lot of these diatonic accordions over there.

00:13:56.134 --> 00:13:59.578
I mean, this is not only harmonicas, very strong in the U.S.

00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:07.746
market, but also with accordions, especially in the middle part of Americas So Columbia, we sell a lot of diatonic accordions.

00:14:08.028 --> 00:14:10.470
But all the manufacturing, the factory is in Germany.

00:14:10.649 --> 00:14:23.283
While we are producing, let me say it this way, the high class models are all produced, of course, here in Trossingen, all the parts like reed plates, like copper plates, like some of the combs, the entry level harmonicas.

00:14:23.344 --> 00:14:32.333
We also have very good cooperation partners in Asian countries and they producing with original Hohner materials or German materials.

00:14:32.374 --> 00:14:34.576
They are producing some of the reed plates over there.

00:14:34.576 --> 00:14:38.039
there, which means nailing, riveting, adjusting, tuning.

00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:41.442
And then these replays come back to Germany.

00:14:41.543 --> 00:14:49.172
We are doing the income inspection of all these replays before we then do the end assembly, then the real whole harmonica.

00:14:49.231 --> 00:14:57.360
So everything is controlled and also from quality level absolutely identical more or less with harmonica replays produced here in Trossingen itself.

00:14:57.701 --> 00:15:30.735
Important is that we also have a team of quality staff members who went always over to our facilities which we have located in Asia to control the quality, are the tools still in good shape, are the people still the same people who we have trained in the beginning and so there is a lot of things which we are doing to ensure that the quality of parts which are produced in Asia have the real honour quality level which we need of course also then to have the high quality honours which everybody loves so much.

00:15:31.135 --> 00:16:03.910
You did a presentation, an online presentation to the uk's harping by the sea festival in 2021 and a really fantastic presentation i'll put a link onto that onto the podcast page so people can check that out there's a factory tour in that which really gives a really great insight you know you see some of the some of the machines that you're using your factory there so yeah i definitely encourage people to check out that video and really get a good view uh you know video view of your factory and other things that you that you're doing there at home which is a really great presentation so well done on that so about you so you're the um obviously you're the product manager for harmonica so what does that involve

00:16:04.111 --> 00:16:35.625
well this involve of course a lot of things this is not only to say well I'm responsible for grab ideas from musicians from the market side so I'm very close in contact with a lot of musicians worldwide and also of course with our dealers because Hona has a worldwide dealer network I grab all the information there they are looking for special models they are looking for special tunings they would like to have different colors and and and so this is the collecting of ideas to then establish and do the development of new pro This is one task.

00:16:35.725 --> 00:16:39.489
The other task is, of course, check out the quality of the instruments.

00:16:39.789 --> 00:16:42.572
So this is also quality control is one big task.

00:16:42.773 --> 00:16:53.605
And of course, also then to support our sales team to do special harmonica lessons and to instructions to our dealers so that they know what they are selling every day.

00:16:53.684 --> 00:16:59.551
So that if you go as a musician into the shop, you definitely get the correct model you are searching for.

00:16:59.650 --> 00:17:04.336
Not that you'd like to have a blues harp and then you go out of the shop and got an echo harp.

00:17:04.336 --> 00:17:06.397
like a tremolo harmonica for folk music.

00:17:06.458 --> 00:17:09.020
So of course, this is also very important.

00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:16.388
And also to support our marketing team here with a lot of materials, which they then can post over our social media.

00:17:16.669 --> 00:17:20.133
So are you involved with coming up with new concepts for harmonicas?

00:17:20.573 --> 00:17:32.526
Well, I mean, concepts, this is also very interesting because these days, especially a lot of people are asking or talking about breeze conditions because of the pandemic, because of Corona.

00:17:32.605 --> 00:17:37.832
So how can we do possibly some lessons to strengthen our lungs.

00:17:38.132 --> 00:17:40.934
So this is also very often we are asked about this.

00:17:41.035 --> 00:17:57.152
And then we talk also with musicians who already have these kind of concepts, whether we can support those people with their concepts, maybe producing specialized harmonicas which fit better to their systems or to their things they are promoting.

00:17:57.373 --> 00:18:01.076
So I think there's also a lot of things in this direction as well.

00:18:01.477 --> 00:18:19.856
Another part of your role is you get to travel the world and go to some fantastic harmonica festivals so obviously you go to Trostingen the World Harmonica Festival in Trostingen you go to Spa you go to the one in Seoul so what's it like having to travel the world going to all these harmonica festivals Gerhard?

00:18:20.457 --> 00:18:38.856
This is the nice job of course besides the fact that you are very strong involved in all the activities in the company itself at the factory but of course you also travel around the world to meet musicians as I mentioned to get their What they would like to have for future developments of harmonicas.

00:18:39.076 --> 00:18:43.422
And then, of course, you meet all these people during some special events.

00:18:43.662 --> 00:18:47.506
Yes, as you already said that I went to spa conventions.

00:18:47.665 --> 00:18:50.028
I went to Seoul International Harmonica Festival.

00:18:50.068 --> 00:18:53.452
I was at several Asia Pacific Harmonica Festivals.

00:18:53.692 --> 00:19:01.141
There's really a huge crowd of different harmonica activities, including then fantastic concerts in the evening.

00:19:01.181 --> 00:19:04.144
Also, really very interesting and informative things.

00:19:04.144 --> 00:19:31.173
sessions and workshops and of course also a lot of these competitions which is very very interesting for asian people because asian people they like to grab the opportunity to play in competitions and this is also a really a strength of the world harmonica festival here in trussingen which is held all four years yes i'm the president of the federation international della harmonica which is the organizer of the world's biggest international harmonica festival here in trussingen

00:19:31.413 --> 00:19:36.198
yeah no fantastic and i you know the fest was really short the diversity of music played in the harmonica.

00:19:36.238 --> 00:19:37.539
That's always incredible, isn't it?

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:41.703
That such a humble instrument can play such a range of genres of music.

00:19:42.003 --> 00:19:43.586
So, a little bit more about you then.

00:19:43.625 --> 00:19:47.450
So, I think you mentioned already, you've already given us a taste of some German folk music.

00:19:48.230 --> 00:19:49.451
You're a player yourself.

00:19:49.712 --> 00:19:51.535
Are you mainly a chromatic player?

00:19:51.575 --> 00:19:58.422
I think you were part of the orchestra, as you mentioned earlier on, which is the Horner Klang Orchestra there in Trottingen.

00:19:58.662 --> 00:20:03.326
Yes, in Trottingen-Born, and then you start playing the Horner Musikinstrument.

00:20:03.467 --> 00:20:10.714
I started playing harmonica, because my father, he played himself the chord harmonica, the big chord instrument, also in the Honoklang Orchestra.

00:20:10.835 --> 00:20:16.260
Yes, I had lessons with a familiar teacher at that time, Helmut Herold.

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:21.826
He was a really fantastic player who also has his own harmonica trio, the Trio Herold.

00:20:22.227 --> 00:20:45.878
I got lessons from him many, many years, and then I started also to get a, what, not musical career, but I'm still a soloist at the Honoklang Orchestra, playing there a lot of nice, more modern-styled tunes not classical style but more jazzy style or more yes more modern music then i established also with three wonderful ladies my own harmonica ensemble it's called harmonica mento

00:20:52.630 --> 00:20:52.670
so

00:21:04.289 --> 00:21:13.798
Yes, but basically I'm a chromatic harmonica player because this is when you start playing the harmonica in trussing and there are no teachers who train you to play the blues.

00:21:14.199 --> 00:21:18.722
So therefore there was no opportunity for me to play blues or different style of music.

00:21:18.903 --> 00:21:22.405
So therefore, and everything is focused on the chromatic harmonica afterwards.

00:21:22.445 --> 00:21:26.209
So therefore I started then my career as a chromatic harmonica player.

00:21:26.229 --> 00:21:30.532
And a very fine chromatic harmonica player you are as well, Gerhard, I must say from this thing.

00:21:30.573 --> 00:21:34.175
So as you mentioned there, you're part of the harmonica mento.

00:21:34.256 --> 00:21:41.483
quartet there's two chromatics a bass and a chord yeah as per traditional harmonica quartet so you're one of the chromatic players then obviously

00:21:42.045 --> 00:21:43.846
yes yes right

00:21:56.981 --> 00:21:57.021
so

00:22:02.786 --> 00:22:05.909
you don't play chord or bass yourself in the quartet?

00:22:06.108 --> 00:22:11.973
No, because bass and chord are really blocked by nice ladies, Brigitte Burgbacher and Birgit Käfer.

00:22:12.173 --> 00:22:17.338
I play the chromatic harmonica together with a former world champion on chromatic harmonica, Katrin Gass.

00:22:17.538 --> 00:22:28.248
I also play a little bit blues there, because we have one or two songs where also a blues harmonica, Tainal Diatonic, is integrated into the song, and I also play a little bit the harmonetta.

00:22:28.387 --> 00:22:33.992
Possibly you know this looks like a typewriter machine, and this is something I also play myself a little bit

00:22:34.513 --> 00:22:45.945
yeah well great to hear that the product manager plays chromatic and some diatonic and even a little bit of others so your group Harmonica Mento won the group competition in Trossingen in I think in 1997 yeah

00:22:46.787 --> 00:23:09.191
yeah it was not only Harmonica Mento so not the three ladies and me so four people so this was a bigger group and this was already then also called Harmonica Mento because we played at this World Harmonica Festival the song called Harmonica Mento this was a composition from Hans Günther Kölz, also an accordion teacher here located in Trossingen, and he is still the conductor of the Hohenklang Orchestra.

00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:16.578
So we played this song, Harmonica Mento, at the World Harmonica Festival, won the first place in this, I think, group category.

00:23:16.818 --> 00:23:21.864
And then, of course, this group, they have no further interest to play in this big formation.

00:23:22.184 --> 00:23:25.528
And then we say, well, it would be a shame to stop doing this.

00:23:25.788 --> 00:23:32.435
And then there was Katrin, Birgit and Brigitte, and they asked me, also, would you like to join?

00:23:32.556 --> 00:23:36.380
So We have watered and then we traveled around the world already.

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:40.064
So we played a lot of concerts in Germany, of course, and then in whole Europe.

00:23:40.163 --> 00:23:41.685
We also went over to Russia.

00:23:41.726 --> 00:23:43.188
We played concerts in St.

00:23:43.228 --> 00:23:44.709
Petersburg, in Moscow.

00:23:44.749 --> 00:23:48.292
We went over to Japan, played their concerts in Tokyo.

00:23:48.353 --> 00:23:50.256
We had a spa convention.

00:24:01.761 --> 00:24:15.922
So we toured really worldwide with Quartet Harmonica Mento.

00:24:16.782 --> 00:24:17.523
Oh, fantastic.

00:24:17.544 --> 00:24:18.744
Yeah, good for you, yeah.

00:24:19.487 --> 00:24:24.713
So you've been the product manager for Hohner, though, during pretty much all of this time you've been performing.

00:24:24.993 --> 00:24:31.400
I'm also performing, of course, not that much because performing with Harmonica Mento and the orchestra, this is just for fun.

00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.299
It's a hobby.

00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:33.340
It's not an income.

00:24:33.401 --> 00:24:36.144
It's just really to play the instrument.

00:24:36.203 --> 00:24:47.473
And also, at least this also strengthened my position here as a Harmonica player, because I mean, to be a product manager, it's always very good, especially for musical instrument, the product manager.

00:24:47.874 --> 00:24:50.415
If you play the instrument, you are the product manager for.

00:24:50.516 --> 00:24:54.960
So if I can't play the instrument, I can't judge whether this is a good one.

00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:58.384
or this is a bad one, or we have to change this one to get a better one.

00:24:58.584 --> 00:25:04.589
So therefore, it's always good to play the instruments and then really to judge, yes, now we are on the right track.

00:25:04.690 --> 00:25:06.372
This is the thing we are looking for.

00:25:06.412 --> 00:25:18.945
Of course, also always talking with musicians because we got a lot of information from our official Hohner NRCs, professional harmonica players, and they also judge prototypes which we send out.

00:25:18.986 --> 00:25:24.431
Sometimes I travel around and present the prototypes to these musicians to get their feedback.

00:25:24.531 --> 00:25:39.386
And then it they say well you have to modify a little bit here and there then we do so so that we have really products in the market and which completely fulfill the requirements at least also of professional harmonica players and then of course also for beginners and advanced players

00:25:39.887 --> 00:26:11.561
yeah great to hear that you're a good dedicated player talk a little bit about the quality so I had Rick Epping on the show quite a number of episodes back so he was the original product manager for Hohner in the US so and he was quite pivotal in bringing the quality of our own harmonicas back up back then and obviously Joe Felisco I think got involved with that as well and you know his customization and some of the techniques and obviously like Joe Felisco helped design the Thunderbird harmonica so you know tell us a story around what happened in this quality bar being raised again for Hauna

00:26:11.942 --> 00:26:30.102
I mean this was right I mean you know all these customizers like Joe Felisco or Richard Slade or they're also Joel Anderson from Sweden which are really brilliant harmonicas at these days and of course we tried as a serious manufacturer, we always try to bring out the harmonicas at the highest quality level possible.

00:26:30.281 --> 00:26:33.806
But then, of course, you also have to check, well, it's a serious product.

00:26:33.826 --> 00:26:38.490
It's not a handcrafted thing, which everything can be exactly figured out.

00:26:38.770 --> 00:26:44.376
So you have to keep a certain quality level, of course, a high quality level for the serious production.

00:26:44.537 --> 00:26:48.681
And there, Rick Epping, I know him very well because he was my colleague in the US.

00:26:48.761 --> 00:26:50.002
I was here in Drossingen.

00:26:50.222 --> 00:26:51.625
We worked together very close.

00:26:51.924 --> 00:26:56.670
And also when we established the manufacturing facilities in Asia.

00:26:56.690 --> 00:26:58.592
He also was strongly involved.

00:26:58.652 --> 00:27:04.238
He went over there together with me to really train the people over there because I also do some technical things.

00:27:04.397 --> 00:27:07.561
It's not only that I'm a product manager or a harmonica musician.

00:27:07.882 --> 00:27:13.127
I also know all the technical stuff to produce a harmonica, especially the heart of the instrument, the re-plate.

00:27:13.327 --> 00:27:22.778
We did a lot of things together, Rick and I, and the quality level, as I mentioned, you have to be very focused to have a high-level quality but on a serious production level.

00:27:22.938 --> 00:27:41.397
You can do it even better, but under serious production conditions, it's very hard because it's too time consuming to do all the customizing things to bring the reed plate slots or the reeds even closer to the slots so that the response is even better to adjust the single reeds exactly like the players would like to have them.

00:27:41.417 --> 00:27:48.404
There's a lot of individualization in the preparation of a harmonica, especially for top musicians.

00:27:48.885 --> 00:27:55.772
And we try our very best as a serious manufacturer to have the highest quality possible for Yeah,

00:27:55.792 --> 00:27:56.433
no, absolutely.

00:27:56.534 --> 00:28:05.703
And I've said on the podcast many times, and talking to Bertram in the last episode from Seidel, that the quality of harmonicas over the last 20 years is really going up.

00:28:05.763 --> 00:28:06.744
It's very exceptional now.

00:28:06.785 --> 00:28:08.967
So well done in bringing the quality up.

00:28:09.047 --> 00:28:12.570
And I think that competition between you and other manufacturers probably helped that.

00:28:12.851 --> 00:28:14.653
So we mentioned customizers as well.

00:28:14.692 --> 00:28:15.433
We mentioned some of them.

00:28:15.594 --> 00:28:17.036
There's quite a lot of customizers now.

00:28:17.076 --> 00:28:23.583
There's a kind of Hohner accredited customization scheme now as well, isn't there, where you've got various people who are accredited to be customizers.

00:28:23.643 --> 00:28:29.789
And they produce what quite expensive versions of mainly diatomics and also the chromatics as well in some cases.

00:28:29.829 --> 00:28:32.251
So I think there's an interesting question for people listening.

00:28:32.271 --> 00:28:34.294
What do they do above what Horner can do?

00:28:34.334 --> 00:28:36.096
Obviously, it's handmade, right?

00:28:36.135 --> 00:28:38.778
That's the big difference between being mass produced in a factory.

00:28:38.818 --> 00:28:39.960
That's a big difference, yeah.

00:28:40.121 --> 00:28:45.625
Yeah, of course, they are doing a lot of special things to really have a special treatment on the reeds.

00:28:45.707 --> 00:28:54.536
Sometimes they polish the reeds so that they have a better surface so that there's no reed breakage, no getting out of tune too fast.

00:28:54.576 --> 00:29:03.045
They do a lot of things, but as you have seen, possibly all the people have seen the video which we took and sent out at the Harpenbad disease festivals.

00:29:03.384 --> 00:29:19.021
I mean, there's still also as a mass producer like Hohner, there is still a lot of hand crafting work inside, especially, for example, nailing the individual reeds onto the replays and also then the nailing, the riveting, the adjusting, the tuning, the valving on chromatic harmonicas.

00:29:19.041 --> 00:29:20.804
It's all done by hand.

00:29:20.864 --> 00:29:26.769
So it's not to say, well, there's a big machine, there's a material put in the material and in the end, you have the ready-made harmonica.

00:29:26.849 --> 00:29:27.351
No, it's not.

00:29:27.530 --> 00:29:32.916
It's really still a lot of hand-crafting work inside harmonica, independent of which manufacturer.

00:29:33.116 --> 00:29:41.165
Yeah, and it came across in that video, which I mentioned earlier, and I'm going to post a link to, that the people working in your factories, they're skilled employees, right?

00:29:41.286 --> 00:29:42.686
That work there for a long time, right?

00:29:42.707 --> 00:29:45.711
They're not just people who sort of come into a factory and then leave after two years,

00:29:45.810 --> 00:29:45.911
right?

00:29:45.931 --> 00:29:46.371
No, no, no.

00:29:46.471 --> 00:29:49.314
Because you need, it looks so simple, but it's not.

00:29:49.714 --> 00:29:55.540
So you need really a certain period of time to get all the secrets behind how to fix a reed onto a reed plate.

00:29:55.621 --> 00:30:00.567
I mean, this is not too easy to do if you will do it in a high quality level, which we are doing.

00:30:00.747 --> 00:30:03.750
All these customizers, which you mentioned, they do a lot of things.

00:30:03.769 --> 00:30:07.913
They have sometimes they seal the original honer combs if they are out of wood.

00:30:08.013 --> 00:30:12.058
They offer their own combs, which they are producing out of different materials.

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:15.041
And of course, they do special treatments on the reeds.

00:30:15.281 --> 00:30:23.590
Also, how they polish possibly also the reed plates or face and to make sharp edges so that the reed response is even better.

00:30:23.631 --> 00:30:32.621
The adjustment of of the single reed very, very close to the reed plates of phase to have then also very good workable overblows on the instrument.

00:30:32.760 --> 00:30:36.605
And they are doing this mainly, as you mentioned, on tenor diatonic.

00:30:36.884 --> 00:30:42.791
Some of them also do some customization on chromatic harmonicas, like Joel Andersen from Sweden.

00:30:43.011 --> 00:31:00.031
He's also doing a lot of chromatic harmonicas these times and selling these to our offering these to Asian people, because especially in the Hong Kong area, but also in Japan and Singapore, there a lot of chromatic, very good trained and very well musicians on the chromatic harmonica.

00:31:00.152 --> 00:31:08.604
So I was discussing with Bertram in the last episode about obviously Seidel came out with steel reeds and I asked them why only Seidel had steel reeds.

00:31:08.644 --> 00:31:11.126
So I think it's right that Hohner don't have any steel reeds, right?

00:31:11.146 --> 00:31:12.730
So why is that?

00:31:13.153 --> 00:31:21.824
We stick on the brass reeds because it's our opinion and it's also what we get confirmed all the time from worldwide known professional harmonica players.

00:31:21.963 --> 00:31:24.666
They say the horn sound of the instruments are the best ones.

00:31:25.028 --> 00:31:33.156
The horn sound is so warm, so special, so you can play the original music from all these old blues fellows.

00:31:45.986 --> 00:31:46.826
Bye.

00:31:53.185 --> 00:31:57.710
best with the real Horner reeds and the Horner brass materials.

00:31:57.910 --> 00:32:01.032
I think this is a reason why we are sticking on the brass reeds.

00:32:01.252 --> 00:32:13.042
And of course, also, maybe it's a little question of tooling because doing the stainless steel reeds, of course, you can't do it the same way with our machinery because the stainless steel is a too hard material.

00:32:13.103 --> 00:32:17.086
So you can't use our cutters to do the profile into the materials.

00:32:17.186 --> 00:32:18.548
So this is also one reason.

00:32:18.627 --> 00:32:25.914
But I think the main reason is people like the Horner sound and this is so typical and this established since over 160 years.

00:32:26.115 --> 00:32:27.977
This is what really people love.

00:32:28.116 --> 00:32:34.223
And to be honest, as a musician speaking, I also like the horn sound more than the stainless steel.

00:32:34.503 --> 00:32:40.109
These stainless steel reeds, they are nice, but to me personally, I don't like the sound.

00:32:40.510 --> 00:32:41.451
It's too sharp.

00:32:41.592 --> 00:32:42.373
Yeah, too clear.

00:32:42.573 --> 00:32:45.675
I like the more dull sound of the horn reeds.

00:32:46.056 --> 00:32:47.999
Yeah, and Bertram did mention the tooling.

00:32:48.338 --> 00:32:49.980
They kind of started from scratch.

00:32:50.201 --> 00:33:26.259
They were able to then develop their tooling for steel reeds, which are course you know it's an expensive process so yeah so let's let's just um talk through the whole catalog of harmonica's a reasonably high level so we won't go into tons of detail here but so first of all talking about your diatonic range so i'd say obviously your the diatonic range is your is your biggest seller right so we've already talked about the marine band and the 125 years and there's very various versions of the marine band now obviously we've got the standard marine band which for a long time then then more recently we got the deluxe and the crossover and the thunderbird which is the low versions so uh yeah what about that that marine band for you, those different versions of the marine band?

00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:31.464
Yeah, I mean, we started, of course, in 1896 with a traditional marine band, 1896.

00:33:31.605 --> 00:33:42.656
And then after many, many years, also, especially, I would say, the last 40 years or 30 years, we realized there is a lot of people who are really doing self-repair on the instruments.

00:33:42.757 --> 00:33:52.007
And then, of course, if you have an original marine band, 1896, where all the parts are nailed, so the replays are nailed on the wooden comb, the cover plates are nailed, the sandwich.

00:33:52.207 --> 00:33:59.234
So we said, this is is for service reasons, it's not the best to use nails and to fix all the parts by nails.

00:33:59.394 --> 00:34:04.440
So then we said, well, can we do a kind of a better version where all the parts are screwed?

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:13.630
And then we brought out, besides the 1896, we brought out the Marine Band Deluxe Harmonica, where all the re-plates are screwed on the wooden comb and also the cover plates are screwed.

00:34:13.809 --> 00:34:15.472
This was a quite nice mood.

00:34:15.711 --> 00:34:19.096
What we also did, of course, we opened in the backside the cover plate shape.

00:34:19.175 --> 00:34:24.402
So if you look for on a Marine Band 1896, the cover plates and the backside are more closed.

00:34:24.561 --> 00:34:30.748
Now the MarineVent Deluxe covers are folded in so there is more output of the sound in the backside of the instrument.

00:34:30.989 --> 00:34:36.353
And also the comb is also especially sealed in the front side where your lips are on.

00:34:36.454 --> 00:34:46.085
So there's also a special gliding, polishing or a special layer of lacquer on the top side so that the instruments are better to handle, better to perform.

00:34:46.364 --> 00:34:49.929
So this is a reason why we also start then doing nailing.

00:34:50.208 --> 00:34:56.695
And then also we found out, well, we are always using using the perwatt comb material for the marine bends.

00:34:56.775 --> 00:35:00.659
And then we figured out, well, you also maybe can use a different material.

00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:07.126
Just tried out different wooden materials, but then we said, well, wood, okay, but is there anything else?

00:35:07.246 --> 00:35:10.391
And then we figured out, wow, great, maybe we can use bamboo.

00:35:10.590 --> 00:35:18.278
So this was the reason why we take out bamboo because bamboo is a very hard material and also very stable when it's getting wet during humidity.

00:35:18.318 --> 00:35:20.961
And of course also your saliva, which runs in the instrument.

00:35:21.101 --> 00:35:24.806
So we then checked out, Is it possible to use bamboo?

00:35:24.965 --> 00:35:25.527
And it was.

00:35:25.686 --> 00:35:32.054
Then this was the reason when we brought out also a screwed version of the Marine Band Deluxe, but with a bamboo comb.

00:35:32.173 --> 00:35:35.117
And then we called this model the Crossover Harmonica.

00:35:35.436 --> 00:35:39.382
On your other main branch of diatonics, you've got what you call the Progressive Series.

00:35:39.442 --> 00:35:42.425
And this is the plastic-bodied harmonicas, right?

00:35:42.445 --> 00:35:44.626
So the Special 20, the Golden Melody.

00:35:44.806 --> 00:35:48.911
And then you also came out more recently with the Rocket, which is a sort of version of the Special 20.

00:35:48.992 --> 00:35:50.793
What about the plastic-bodied harmonica

00:35:50.813 --> 00:35:51.253
range?

00:35:51.273 --> 00:36:00.503
Yeah, I mean, after the wooden components, Combs, of course, a lot of people, they are asking for plastic combs because especially beginners, we always say, well, if you are a beginner, you shouldn't start with a Marine Band 1896.

00:36:01.065 --> 00:36:02.365
Of course, this is the original one.

00:36:02.465 --> 00:36:05.929
But starting, there's a lot of saliva running inside the instrument.

00:36:06.010 --> 00:36:08.672
So please check out a harmonica with a plastic comb.

00:36:08.773 --> 00:36:12.277
Then, of course, the working horse of HONOR is still the Special 20 harmonica.

00:36:12.297 --> 00:36:16.101
We sell a lot of these instruments, especially in the US, but also worldwide.

00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:19.565
And after the Special 20, of course, we have the Golden Melody.

00:36:19.605 --> 00:36:29.815
The only harmonica which we have is a tempered tuning And then we found out that after, because Special 20 was implemented also in the 60s already.

00:36:29.835 --> 00:36:33.438
And then we say, well, the comb design is not that perfect.

00:36:33.498 --> 00:36:37.943
You have some edges which are not that comfortable to hold also when playing with your lips.

00:36:38.184 --> 00:36:41.688
And then we try to have a better composition of comb.

00:36:41.947 --> 00:36:44.751
And then we brought out the Rocket Harmonica.

00:36:44.811 --> 00:36:45.972
The replay is still the same.

00:36:46.052 --> 00:36:49.456
So Rocket Replay and the Special Adventure Replay are identical.

00:36:49.677 --> 00:36:52.719
But the comb and, of course, also the cover plate shape is different.

00:36:52.719 --> 00:36:55.682
compared with Special 20 to the Rocket Harmonica.

00:36:56.063 --> 00:37:01.088
And the Rocket Comb, I think this is really a very nice comb because everything is rounded.

00:37:01.188 --> 00:37:02.751
So you have no sharp edges.

00:37:02.891 --> 00:37:06.014
It's very comfortable to your lips also when holding it.

00:37:06.034 --> 00:37:10.378
I think it's really a very well designed of the comb and the whole instrument.

00:37:10.518 --> 00:37:12.661
Also, the cover blade shape is excellent.

00:37:12.681 --> 00:37:21.090
So I think it's a good harmonica, especially in the progressive line where we have the Special 20, the Golden Melody, and then the Rocket Harmonicas.

00:37:21.190 --> 00:37:26.036
Yes, we have there three Rockets you know this, possibly also our listeners know this.

00:37:26.496 --> 00:37:33.963
We have the standard Rocket Harmonica where cover plates are also opened on the sides, so the sidebands are opened like on the marine band.

00:37:34.184 --> 00:37:40.731
And then we have the Rocket Amp where the sidebands are closed to have more protection of the sound in the backside of the instrument.

00:37:40.811 --> 00:37:48.219
And then we have the Rocket Low, so some of the low keys also available for the plastic models like the Rocket.

00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:53.605
And then you've got a few more ranges, the MS series and the Enthusiast and the Miniature in the diatonic.

00:37:53.784 --> 00:38:05.277
But moving on to your chromatic, traditionally for a long time you've had the 270, which has been a long-standing 12-hole chromatic, which is again very much a standard of the chromatic harmonicas.

00:38:05.557 --> 00:38:08.521
Was this kind of one of the original design chromatics released by Halner?

00:38:08.721 --> 00:38:11.483
I would say yes, because this is a very long tradition.

00:38:11.503 --> 00:38:19.432
We had celebrated the 100th anniversary of the chromatic harmonica, and this was very close from the design like the 270 harmonica, which we still have.

00:38:19.693 --> 00:38:21.894
I think this is also the model of what?

00:38:22.054 --> 00:38:25.079
The big heroes on the chromatic harmonica like Larry Adler.

00:38:25.119 --> 00:38:30.686
They all played, or I would say started with their career playing chromatic harmonica with the 270.

00:38:51.074 --> 00:38:54.177
Myself, I play also the 270, not the standard 270.

00:38:54.197 --> 00:38:56.237
I play the 270 Deluxe Harmonica.

00:38:56.478 --> 00:38:58.740
This is a fantastic instrument, very handy.

00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.862
It's not a big size.

00:38:59.902 --> 00:39:04.806
Of course, you have three octaves, wooden comb, very warm, very smooth, very nice sounds.

00:39:05.226 --> 00:39:08.289
It's fantastic, especially playing this light music.

00:39:08.608 --> 00:39:19.137
Of course, also the classical music and a little bit jazz because Toots Thielemans himself, he has this year on the 29th, I think, April, his 100th birthday.

00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:21.039
And he plays also the 270 Deluxe Harmonica.

00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:27.706
the Honung Chromatics, because we have two models in our line, the Mellotone and the Hardbopper, two Stiedemanns models.

00:39:52.449 --> 00:39:54.992
And yes, the sound is so incredible.

00:39:55.012 --> 00:39:57.414
I came back to a brass material for the reeds.

00:39:57.675 --> 00:39:58.996
I mean, this makes a difference.

00:39:59.635 --> 00:40:02.478
Yeah, you mentioned there the Toots 100 birthday.

00:40:02.518 --> 00:40:07.163
There's actually a concert on his birthday on the April 29th in Belgium, if we're giving a mention now.

00:40:07.583 --> 00:40:12.166
Interestingly, Gregoire Moray is playing the harmonica, and of course he plays Suzuki harmonica.

00:40:12.827 --> 00:40:15.409
So that would be interesting, because of course, as you say, Toots plays the...

00:40:15.590 --> 00:40:17.231
There's two Toots models, chromatics.

00:40:17.592 --> 00:40:22.416
So it's interesting to hear that you play the 270, given the fact that Hohner have a performance here.

00:40:22.416 --> 00:40:28.362
of more expensive chromatics, such as the Silver Concerto, the Amadeus, the Meisterclass, and the Super 64, and the A.

00:40:28.422 --> 00:40:31.224
So, like you say, you prefer the 270s still over those.

00:40:31.626 --> 00:40:38.893
Yeah, you know, I'm really bored with the 270 when I start playing the chromatic harmonicas, and I stick there a little bit because I like the sound.

00:40:38.934 --> 00:40:46.121
Of course, also the sound of the other models are also incredibly nice, but to me, personally, I like this wooden comb sound.

00:40:46.342 --> 00:40:52.989
I know there are a lot of discussions about the material out from the comb did not make the difference, it's a cover plate shape, and end and end.

00:40:53.389 --> 00:40:58.393
Possibly all these guys are right, but to me I prefer the wooden comb instruments.

00:40:58.614 --> 00:41:03.440
Of course, I also own an Ace 48 and I also have the CX-12.

00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:05.922
I like the CX-12 very much, especially the jazz version.

00:41:06.143 --> 00:41:11.007
The sound is completely different, but I like the shape and I like the construction of the CX-12.

00:41:11.447 --> 00:41:18.014
But I don't like the big ones because normally I can handle with three octaves starting with the C1.

00:41:18.074 --> 00:41:19.197
This is nice for me.

00:41:19.317 --> 00:41:26.385
I don't need the low octave because I play In the orchestra, as well as in the group, I play the first voice.

00:41:26.565 --> 00:41:32.615
So I don't need the low end to play the second voice.

00:41:34.659 --> 00:41:35.059
So

00:41:45.378 --> 00:41:46.139
I'm the same.

00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:50.541
I think if you're used to the 12-hole, playing that 16-hole is quite a challenge, isn't it?

00:41:50.561 --> 00:41:52.204
So I'm with you there for sure.

00:41:52.724 --> 00:41:56.447
So yeah, and then we've touched on the orchestral harmonicas that Hohner produced.

00:41:56.487 --> 00:42:01.972
So Hohner still are manufacturing chord and two versions of the bass, the 58 and 78.

00:42:02.353 --> 00:42:04.034
So do you sell many of these?

00:42:04.054 --> 00:42:08.197
As you say, orchestral instruments are probably bigger out in the East.

00:42:08.418 --> 00:42:09.619
So is that where you sell most of them?

00:42:09.998 --> 00:42:12.460
Chord and bass harmonicas, of course, you know yourself.

00:42:12.601 --> 00:42:21.771
I mean, there was a big, big scene in the 50s, 60s, 70s, where a lot of harmonica ensembles play chord and bass harmonicas, melody with a chromatic.

00:42:21.990 --> 00:42:24.634
This is shrinking, especially in the US.

00:42:24.773 --> 00:42:31.121
If you go to a spa convention and you see the people there, they still play, but the average age is very old.

00:42:31.260 --> 00:42:36.686
So I think there's not a real young population coming up and playing this bass and chord harmonicas.

00:42:36.947 --> 00:42:42.552
In Asian countries, it looks completely different because I think this has something to do with the educational system.

00:42:42.592 --> 00:42:52.003
They play a lot of harmonica in schools, And they also offer their orchestras, harmonica orchestras, and also some ensembles and some groups.

00:42:52.324 --> 00:42:58.550
And there, we sell really a lot of these bass and chord harmonicas, especially in the Asian countries.

00:42:58.809 --> 00:43:04.896
And also, they are focused on Hong Kong, Malaysia as well, also Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore.

00:43:05.117 --> 00:43:12.965
So as well as these, obviously, Honour sells tremolo harmonicas, which are very popular in various places, octave harmonicas, beginner harmonicas.

00:43:13.005 --> 00:43:15.068
So you've got all these different ranges.

00:43:15.248 --> 00:43:17.530
And on top of this, you sell various accessories.

00:43:17.771 --> 00:43:23.717
You've got some, what look like some very good cases now, your Flex case for 17, 18 or 48 harmonicas.

00:43:23.737 --> 00:43:24.418
Yeah, they look very good.

00:43:24.538 --> 00:43:27.061
I have one of your older cases, but I don't have one of these Flex cases.

00:43:27.081 --> 00:43:27.740
They look very nice.

00:43:27.981 --> 00:43:32.907
Well, yeah, I mean, it's not only to say, well, you have a wonderful assortment of harmonicas.

00:43:33.007 --> 00:43:40.335
Of course, you also need a qualified supporting staff like all the accessories which we are offering and especially the Flex cases.

00:43:40.514 --> 00:43:48.222
We implemented them into the market, I think, yeah, a few years before and we have started then totally with three different sizes.

00:43:48.422 --> 00:43:49.465
I think they are really great.

00:43:49.625 --> 00:43:51.827
The functionality is fantastic.

00:43:51.867 --> 00:43:52.967
The material is great.

00:43:53.128 --> 00:44:04.179
Also, the big one, which you can use on stage, you have really a lot of space inside these cases to use for tenor diatonic as well as also for chromatics and tremolo octave.

00:44:04.521 --> 00:44:16.713
And in the big one, you also can add some other great accessories from Hohner, like the harmonica microphone, or it also fits the flex rack, so the harmonica neck holder and stuff like this.

00:44:17.014 --> 00:44:19.036
So yeah, I wanted to ask you about the microphone.

00:44:19.056 --> 00:44:23.721
So Holner do sell a dedicated harmonica microphone called the HB-52.

00:44:23.920 --> 00:44:29.327
I think this is built on your previous heart blaster, which you had out 20 odd years ago, isn't it?

00:44:29.387 --> 00:44:36.534
But I'm interested to see about this, that this SE Electronics are a very well-established quality microphone producer.

00:44:36.594 --> 00:44:39.097
They produce the element for this microphone.

00:44:39.157 --> 00:44:42.862
And obviously the element of harmonica microphones is the sort of holy grail.

00:44:42.882 --> 00:44:45.103
So yeah, I'd be interested to hear about the development of that element.

00:44:45.103 --> 00:44:46.585
Well,

00:44:46.626 --> 00:44:55.235
this is very special because, to be honest, I'm not an expert in the microphones because they are not only producing the elements, they produce the whole microphone.

00:44:55.355 --> 00:45:12.592
So there's nothing inside us except all the knowledge how the microphone looks like because they are very close together with a lot of professional musicians to get the right size, to get the right weight of the microphone and, of course, also to have the correct elements inside the microphone.

00:45:12.713 --> 00:45:20.108
Especially, for example, Steve Baker, he was one of the of the guy who really helped a lot to the development process for this microphone.

00:45:32.514 --> 00:45:34.896
And he himself, of course, plays now the microphone.

00:45:35.115 --> 00:45:48.987
He has still a lot of microphones, also custom-made ones, but he definitely preferred the new HONOR microphone because he said the size is great, also the volume control on the backside, everything fits to his hands and he liked it very much.

00:45:49.208 --> 00:45:53.592
So I think this is really a fantastic development which we did together with S-Electronics.

00:45:53.913 --> 00:45:57.795
I saw Steve Baker talking about it, yeah, and it's smaller, isn't it, in the hand?

00:45:57.916 --> 00:45:58.996
It's slightly smaller than

00:45:59.036 --> 00:46:01.398
the original, the former Blues Blastom, yes.

00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:01.719
Yeah,

00:46:01.898 --> 00:46:06.864
I had a Blues blaster of what 25 years ago or something it was a good the good microphone back then i remember

00:46:06.945 --> 00:46:07.125
yeah

00:46:07.525 --> 00:46:30.750
uh so yeah no great that's it you've got that touching on honer and dorsey uh players right so you've got lots of players which are honer and dorsey's lots of harmonica players all around the world i'll put the link on to the page the podcast page so people can see them people from from all over obviously pick a few names out you've got you've got bonnie b who's a swiss player and some fantastic stuff so

00:46:38.210 --> 00:46:40.981
you

00:46:42.273 --> 00:46:42.994
Why do you choose

00:46:43.014 --> 00:46:43.155
the

00:46:43.295 --> 00:46:44.115
endorsers that you do?

00:46:44.235 --> 00:46:48.159
Well, I mean, endorsers are always very important to spread out the brand.

00:46:48.659 --> 00:46:53.844
We have mainly these really big, fantastic, most professional harmonica players worldwide.

00:46:54.164 --> 00:46:58.007
They play the honor instruments, they play on stage, and they also do some promotions.

00:46:58.047 --> 00:47:03.472
They do social media posts and say, well, listen, I play the honor, blah, blah, blah.

00:47:03.512 --> 00:47:05.353
So this is a good promotion for the brand.

00:47:05.393 --> 00:47:16.985
But of course, also, it helps us to be close to these endorsers, as I mentioned before, to get their feedback back what they are looking for, especially do quality modifications on the existing product line.

00:47:17.005 --> 00:47:18.867
I think this is really worthwhile to do so.

00:47:18.967 --> 00:47:25.253
We also then start inviting those people to come to Trossingen to play at the World Harmonica Festivals.

00:47:25.373 --> 00:47:33.603
And then we also give a kind of, what, sponsoring to these players to be a part of the Asian Pacific Harmonica Festival, to go to spa.

00:47:33.623 --> 00:47:44.815
We are also doing sponsoring of these big events, especially to send over musicians to this event to really bring their musical program to a even higher level with these professional musicians.

00:47:45.135 --> 00:47:45.315
Yeah.

00:47:45.335 --> 00:47:47.438
And again, some great players in that list.

00:47:47.597 --> 00:47:47.858
Yeah.

00:47:48.018 --> 00:47:49.320
People check out all the names in there.

00:47:49.340 --> 00:47:49.460
Yeah.

00:47:49.480 --> 00:47:52.001
It's great to see them spreading the word of harmonica there.

00:48:01.271 --> 00:48:06.557
Yeah.

00:48:07.297 --> 00:48:18.648
Another thing which Hohner offer is the C-Shop, which is where you can buy parts for the harmonicas and then you can do your own maintenance by replacement parts, reeds, the body, combs, etc.

00:48:19.088 --> 00:48:21.469
So this is quite a long established website now, isn't it?

00:48:21.510 --> 00:48:23.652
Where people have been able to buy parts for a number of years.

00:48:23.952 --> 00:48:40.427
Yeah, I think right now we are just because the design and also the handling of the formal C-Shop was not that perfect because all the industry, especially the internet shops and they go further and further So we are right now checking out a new version of the C-Shop.

00:48:40.467 --> 00:48:42.028
Of course, the content will be the same.

00:48:42.068 --> 00:48:50.117
You still can order all the different parts of harmonica, like sets for reeds or cover plates, combs, everything, sliders for chromatics, valves.

00:48:50.297 --> 00:48:55.724
You can get all of this, but we just prepare a better design of the shop and also a better handling.

00:48:55.903 --> 00:48:57.164
This is just in preparation.

00:48:57.505 --> 00:49:08.597
And I think this is very important because if you look for other brands, I mean, this is very often, yes, you can get the harmonicas possibly on an online shop or maybe on a located dealer in your country.

00:49:08.797 --> 00:49:13.242
But if you need a service, then this is always more or less a disaster.

00:49:13.342 --> 00:49:19.829
If you have a Chinese brand or some of the Japanese brands, it's even no way that you get spare parts for those models.

00:49:20.030 --> 00:49:24.994
Even you can't find somebody who can handle to do the service on a broken reed or whatever.

00:49:25.034 --> 00:50:07.740
And this is really a strength of the Horner brand because we can send in harmonicas, very old-fashioned harmonicas, and we mainly are always able to do the service and the reconstruction of the really old harmonicas because sometimes you have what a harmonica played already by your grandfather you would like to have exactly this harmonica but there was something broken maybe the cover plates are not that nice so we can do all the repair work on these old harmonicas and I think this is also very important as a harmonica manufacturer that you are offering a very good brilliant service you sell the spare parts to people who are looking for spare parts and this is always and was always a strength of the Horner brand.

00:50:08.061 --> 00:50:13.226
You know, great to see people can maintain and improve the harmonica that they've already bought.

00:50:13.246 --> 00:50:16.530
You're not just looking to sell new ones all the time, so that's good to see.

00:50:16.909 --> 00:50:22.717
So, I mean, one thing, again, we touched on it a little bit with the World Harmonica Festival in Trostingen, which happens every four years.

00:50:22.737 --> 00:50:24.559
You've also got the Masters Workshop.

00:50:24.619 --> 00:50:29.164
So last year was the World Harmonica Festival was online in 2021.

00:50:29.463 --> 00:50:30.085
Yeah,

00:50:30.644 --> 00:50:31.186
exactly.

00:50:31.266 --> 00:50:35.650
So normally we have the history of the World Harmonica Festival all four years.

00:50:35.931 --> 00:51:08.565
It starts in 1981 I think this was the first one this series of World Harmonica Festival which is the biggest international one with which a lot of competitions and even in concerts we have a lot of workshops established in the program also you can of course join Factory Tour of the Honu Company and you can go to the Harmonica Museum with this fantastic exhibition what we're also offering in Trossingen this is every year except the year when the World Harmonica Festival is held we have the Harmonica Masters workshops yes made by Steve Baker.

00:51:08.865 --> 00:51:11.188
We did this many, many years already.

00:51:11.409 --> 00:51:12.230
Very successful.

00:51:12.250 --> 00:51:20.778
And this year we also have the Harmonica Masterclass workshops from the 8th to the 12th of June this year, also in Trossingen.

00:51:20.978 --> 00:51:27.706
We have a lot of very experienced teachers and, of course, Joe Felisco from the US, Steve Baker himself.

00:51:28.106 --> 00:51:30.028
We have Joel Andersson from Sweden.

00:51:30.228 --> 00:51:34.552
We have Markus Kohl from original Spain living in Berlin right now.

00:51:34.713 --> 00:51:51.090
Jason Ritchie is there for the first time, I think, this Yeah, this is the first time that Jason will show up here, because he's not that often in Europe, so therefore it's a very good opportunity to meet him, also to grab some musical insights from him during the workshops, and of course also then check out his concert in one of the evening

00:51:51.190 --> 00:51:51.411
concerts.

00:51:51.431 --> 00:51:54.454
Of course, the Masters workshop this year, that's usually in November, isn't it?

00:51:54.494 --> 00:51:57.898
But it's in June this year, so are there still places for people to book on that?

00:51:58.418 --> 00:52:09.831
Yeah, some of the workshops are already very, very close to booked out, so especially Jason Ritchie and Joe Velisco, I think possibly they have maybe a handful, especially space for additional participants.

00:52:09.851 --> 00:52:14.596
There are also some others fantastic from the program, especially the workshop from Markus Koll.

00:52:14.795 --> 00:52:17.699
Check out the webpage for the Harmonica Masters workshops.

00:52:18.099 --> 00:52:19.922
I'll put the link on the podcast page.

00:52:20.242 --> 00:52:25.907
So a question I ask each time, Gerhard, is if you had 10 minutes to practice, what would you spend those 10

00:52:25.947 --> 00:52:26.509
minutes doing?

00:52:26.909 --> 00:52:33.215
At this moment, I only can talk to chromatic harmonica players because I'm not that familiar with these 10 or 20 harmonica players.

00:52:33.335 --> 00:52:36.018
For chromatic harmonicas, first of all, no question.

00:52:36.179 --> 00:52:38.501
Also, a good hint for tenor diatonic players.

00:52:38.641 --> 00:52:40.023
Please warm your harmonica.

00:52:40.143 --> 00:52:43.786
The difference, cold instrument, warm air, it's too much.

00:52:43.806 --> 00:52:47.751
So please hold your harmonica for a few seconds before you start playing the instrument.

00:52:47.911 --> 00:52:55.018
As a chromatic harmonica player, I would say, yes, start in the middle position, play simple major scales, play a G major scale.

00:52:55.039 --> 00:52:57.621
So simply play scales when doing this.

00:52:57.882 --> 00:53:10.641
And then, of course, also check out that you are, especially chromatic harmonica players, that your slide mechanism works well and also that you are able able to have the correct presence exactly when you need the slider.

00:53:10.961 --> 00:53:12.344
I can just give an example.

00:53:12.565 --> 00:53:20.766
So I just do some practice things which I'm doing when I have 10 minutes to start playing, performing with Abyssal Groove.

00:53:43.202 --> 00:53:46.492
Very simple how I start playing the harmonica, of course.

00:53:46.592 --> 00:53:50.164
Then afterwards, I also then play the songs like, for example, this one.

00:53:50.184 --> 00:53:56.023
This is a favorite tune I always play because this gives me personally a good mute to play the harmonica.

00:54:14.786 --> 00:54:15.726
What's the name of that song?

00:54:15.967 --> 00:54:18.208
In German, it's called Ich war noch niemals in New York.

00:54:18.228 --> 00:54:19.849
So I never went to New York.

00:54:20.090 --> 00:54:22.452
This is a song by Udo Jürgens.

00:54:22.592 --> 00:54:27.896
This is a singer, but I perform, the orchestra perform a lot of his songs in the orchestra.

00:54:27.956 --> 00:54:29.018
And this is one of the songs.

00:54:29.199 --> 00:54:30.820
I never went to New York.

00:54:31.139 --> 00:54:31.800
Very nice to play.

00:54:31.820 --> 00:54:32.360
Well done, Gerhard.

00:54:32.581 --> 00:54:35.664
Clearly, I expect you play only Holner harmonicas, do you?

00:54:35.704 --> 00:54:36.704
Absolutely.

00:54:36.744 --> 00:54:37.144
You

00:54:37.184 --> 00:54:38.405
never try out the competition?

00:54:38.646 --> 00:54:39.447
Well, of course I do.

00:54:39.547 --> 00:54:43.231
Yes, to really have the comparison to know, wow, they are better than ours.

00:54:43.251 --> 00:54:46.813
And the lucky thing is, I never found out that they are better than ours.

00:54:46.954 --> 00:54:57.005
I'm very proud to be the product manager for Horner because the instruments are, to me personally and also a lot of players around the world, they are the best choice to use.

00:54:57.324 --> 00:54:59.947
So you've already said you play the 270s, your chromatic of choice.

00:54:59.987 --> 00:55:01.369
Do you play just in the key of C?

00:55:01.590 --> 00:55:01.769
Yes.

00:55:02.150 --> 00:55:03.711
And do you ever play any different tunings?

00:55:04.072 --> 00:55:08.277
Not really because, you know, I mean, I play the standard tunes also in jazz.

00:55:08.516 --> 00:55:09.559
I play normal ones.

00:55:09.659 --> 00:55:14.143
I know that there are a lot of things you can do, especially if I look for Brenton Power.

00:55:14.202 --> 00:55:19.028
He's doing a a lot of crazy, funny tunings himself to play then his kind of music.

00:55:19.268 --> 00:55:19.728
Wonderful.

00:55:20.289 --> 00:55:25.476
But to me, I stick with the standard C major scale on the chromatic harmonica.

00:55:25.496 --> 00:55:25.916
That's it.

00:55:26.376 --> 00:55:27.737
What about diatonics?

00:55:28.117 --> 00:55:29.559
Which diatonics do you like to play?

00:55:29.940 --> 00:55:41.092
I really like the Riemann series, especially the Riemann Deluxe and the crossovers, but I also like the Rocket harmonica because of the really very attractive round shape of the cone and also the sound.

00:55:41.152 --> 00:55:43.153
I like the sound of the Rocket very much.

00:55:43.375 --> 00:55:49.211
I don't play a lot of these modular system harmonicas like Goose Harp, Pro Harp or Meister Harps, Big River Harps.

00:55:49.413 --> 00:55:52.563
I prefer to play the progressive line or the marine band line.

00:55:52.744 --> 00:55:54.731
What embouchure do you like to use?

00:55:55.072 --> 00:55:56.137
I play a pucker.

00:55:56.577 --> 00:56:00.981
And when you're performing, clearly you're playing more in orchestras and you're playing chromatic.

00:56:01.001 --> 00:56:03.583
So are you playing just with an acoustic microphone?

00:56:03.884 --> 00:56:04.505
Yes, yes.

00:56:04.585 --> 00:56:06.407
So we have a Shure SM58.

00:56:06.487 --> 00:56:08.829
I think this is the standard which I'm using.

00:56:09.389 --> 00:56:11.351
And you stand off that you don't hold it?

00:56:11.630 --> 00:56:13.032
I have it on a stand, yes.

00:56:13.271 --> 00:56:14.793
Sometimes I use it also hand.

00:56:15.114 --> 00:56:19.217
If I play more jazzy style, then of course I have the harmonica, the microphone in my hands.

00:56:19.358 --> 00:56:25.802
But normally if I perform together with my group, it's harmonica mento, then of course microphones are located or fixed on a stand.

00:56:26.023 --> 00:56:30.688
And do you any amplification or are you using a PA a clean amplification

00:56:30.849 --> 00:56:58.438
well this is a good thing because when we go on stage we always have very good technicians with us so they have the whole system which fits to our music to our style we own our own system of course we also use a lot of stuff of the orchestra which we can use or which you are allowed to use but we also have our own equipment which we can use then when going on stage and have gigs around the world and what about any effects no effects no like the poor harmonica sound.

00:56:58.518 --> 00:57:05.565
If you do a lot of effects, you lose the real, the quality and the originality of the harmonica sound, I think.

00:57:05.865 --> 00:57:06.806
Yeah, absolutely.

00:57:06.967 --> 00:57:08.208
So yeah, so final question then.

00:57:08.228 --> 00:57:11.972
So about the pandemic, how was the pandemic for Hohner Harmonicas?

00:57:12.052 --> 00:57:12.994
You sell more during

00:57:13.054 --> 00:57:13.494
that time?

00:57:13.673 --> 00:57:23.164
The funny thing is, I have to say more or less, yes, because people have more time because a lot of people, they sit at home, so they are not allowed to go out or at least to work outside.

00:57:23.204 --> 00:57:24.445
So they have home office.

00:57:24.485 --> 00:57:33.516
They had more time and we had the feeling that the business in these difficult times for everybody was not that bad for Hohner Harmonica, also Accordion.

00:57:33.576 --> 00:57:35.237
It was quite a night business for us.

00:57:35.518 --> 00:57:41.304
Of course, also very difficult was to really, and this is the material supply, this also tech loss.

00:57:41.603 --> 00:57:47.951
So we had some problems to get the material at the right time to produce the big demand for our instruments.

00:57:48.110 --> 00:57:59.121
But in general, I would say, yes, as bad as the situation with COVID for especially musicians was, for the industries, music industries, especially harmonicas it was not that bad yeah

00:57:59.402 --> 00:58:04.507
no good to hear and it brought some some joy to people during those troubled days so that's great to hear

00:58:04.666 --> 00:58:04.867
yeah

00:58:05.228 --> 00:58:07.909
so thanks so much Gerhard Müller for joining me today

00:58:08.150 --> 00:58:20.101
yes thank you so much Neil for the invitation I hope that yes you got a lot of insights from Hohner and of course also from Gerhard Müller in person so it was really fun to be your guest and thank you so much for the invitation

00:58:20.521 --> 00:58:30.784
thanks so much Gerhard for joining us and the Hohner company for describing their wonderful range of products Thanks to Robert Sawyer for making a second donation to the podcast.

00:58:30.824 --> 00:58:32.907
The first person to make a second donation.

00:58:33.128 --> 00:58:34.150
Thanks so much, Robert.

00:58:34.530 --> 00:58:38.257
And everyone, please check out the Harmonica Happy Hour podcast website.

00:58:38.396 --> 00:58:40.099
You can find all the previous episodes.

00:58:40.619 --> 00:58:46.429
It's over now to Gerhard to play us out with the Threnzilosa.