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From: Turbodog
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 00:58:18 -0500
Subject: 12 Finger Blues (was: Suzuki Overdrive Harp)

Turbodog Comments on Pat Missin's Remarks concerning finger hole
placement:

Pat recounts: "For a couple of years now, I have been toying with
ideas that involve an
additional reed chamber on the outside of the reedplate, including
a design
which is basically the same as Suzuki's Overdrive Harp. The

big problem I had with my prototypes of this particular design,
was getting
the finger holes in the ideal place, so I am somewhat reassured to
find
this is the case with Suzuki's version."

Turbodog interjects: The problem bears a vague resemblance to that
involved in playing the Asian kaen. For those unfamiliar with this
instrument, the kaen (pronounced "can" ... although I dont know
why) is a pan-pipe looking instrument that, unlike the pan pile
produces sound with a vibrating free reed. Individual tones are
achieved by covering, or uncovering holes drilled along the sides
of a cluster of resonant bamboo pipes. I've found the holes on
these instruments to be situated in the most awkward
configurations, suggesting some anti-terrestrial mutant-fingered
species to be responsible for their design. Likewise, it would
seem that the ideal finger arrangement for playing this Overdrive
harp would involve a mutation of the standard five-digit
complement wherein the pinky, say, would be replaced by three
opposable thumbs. Such might be theoretically possible by exposure
to approximately 200x the normal lifetime dose of gamma
radiation. For some, a fair price to pay for those coveted
over-notes.

Anyone interested in viewing the kae can refer to Lark in the
Morning's website at:
http://www.larkinam.com/MenComNet/Business/Retail/LarkNet/seasia
Also check out their gourd pipe, a close cousin to the kaen, and
requiring even more dexterious contortions. Another view can be
found at:
http://www.personal.kent.edu/~ccarruth/htmfiles/instruments.htm