Down by the Sally Gardens (Hohner Echo Harp)

[@chaw15973]

I like the slightly lonely sound of the harmonica. The whistles and accompaniment lift the mood. Excellent performance !

[@Reeldin58]

Hi chaw, the Hohner Echo Harp is a wonderful instrument, at least I think so. It first came on to the market almost a hundred years ago and the design hasn't really changed since. I discovered it here on YT when I saw post of a young man from your part of the world playing one and thought it was such a lovely sound that I had to get one.

[@nightheme365]

Very nicely done, Rod. It's amazing how a harmonica can sound like an accordion!

[@Reeldin58]

Hi June, when I first heard an "Echo Harp" on YT I just had to get one. They are designed to be an instrument that can be played solo and still give a complete full sound. The left side of the harmonica is tuned to give you full chords while the right side is where you play the melody. You use a technique called "Tongue Blocking" to put a bit of rhythm in the chord backing while you play the tune at the same time. Try as I might I can't do it so I just keep to the melody bit.

[@vellagovender841]

Wonder ful keep it up i love to get One like this South africa

[@Reeldin58]

Hi, I think the Hohner Eco Harps are fantastic instruments.

[@Joy-ofMusic-Kate]

Nice melody, your music always helps me to calm down

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Ekaterina, this is a favourite of mine, I think it's such a wonderful tune. It would sound great on recorder if you can find a score you should give it a go. I'm sure it would be online somewhere.

[@RotraudSchulte]

Such wonderful, brilliant music, great video. Thank you very much my dear friend . I wish you a happy new week and all the best! Kind regards from Germany...Lolo

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Lolo, if it's the same in Germany then I hope you're enjoying the hot weather. You have a fantastic week too. Greetings from England.

[@Foto-PoesieUndMusik]

Oh ist das schöööön. So, so wonderful and fantastic, thank you so much my dear friend Rod... Dear sunday greetings from Switzerland, your friend Hans-Peter

[@Reeldin58]

Thank You so much my friend. I hope the weather is as lovely for you as we're getting here in England.

[@yogigardener5219]

I always love the Sally garden well done Rod.

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Yogi, I hope you are well. I first did Sally Gardens on the Echo Harp about four yeas ago and when I listened to it a week or two ago I thought it really wasn't very good how I played back then and yet it got loads of hits so I thought I'd have another try at it. BTW I've just started programming backing tracks ready for this years festive posts, do you have a favourite I could have a go at? It's getting harder to come up with ideas every year as I've already played so many.

[@calbrockocat8728]

That Echo harp really does sound like an accordion in a French cafe! Superb work, Rod!

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Cal, I think the "Echo Harp" is a great little instrument. The wonderful thing about them is you can blow both sides. One side is in the key of C and the other in G. They can make you sound like you're a better player than you really are because you play a tune on one side then turn it over and do exactly the same thing on the other but you're in a different key.

[@ladyandaharp]

Hi Rod, this is an absolutely gorgeous rendition of the Sally Gardens. So much detail happening and a soothing listen at the same time. So well done! I will have to find your original, here's to 9k more.🥂☺

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Bonnie, the "Echo Harp" is a lovely little instrument. When I first heard one on YT it was one of those moments when I just had to get one. The fact that I couldn't play it didn't enter into the equation. I've heard players on YT do some wonderful things with them. As for me I just try my best.

[@vellagovender841]

Sound great superb South africa

[@MickEdwardsAccordionVocal]

Hello there my friend, This is a very nice Tune and you Play it well, " CHEERS "🪗🪗🪗Mick.

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Mick, thanks for stopping by. I dabble with a few different instruments. Sometimes I think I should have just stuck to one and mastered it instead of trying to be a "Jack of all trades" but it's too late for me now.

[@bgmnocopyright]

Great work😌👍👍✨

[@Reeldin58]

Thank you so much my friend. I don't pick up my harmonicas too often these days.

[@markingham4773]

Well done, a lovely tune.

[@Reeldin58]

Thanks for stopping by. I dabble with a few instruments. I never got to grips with playing a regular 10 hole diatonic harmonica. I do have a few of them but a simple blues lick is about my limit and picking out a melody with single notes and a bend or two is well beyond my capabilities. I get on better with a tremolo .

[@markingham4773]

I like playing blues on the diatonic, but also at times like to play some nice folk melodies including Irish songs, you're certainly very good at what you do.

[@Reeldin58]

My son gave me a Paddy Tuned 10 hole diatonic as a present at Christmas. I've been trying very hard to get to grips with some simple tunes on that one, but I think I'm just to used to having separate blow and draw holes as you do on a tremolo I can't pick out single notes cleanly.

[@markingham4773]

Never tried a tremolo, might have to get one, they do sound sweet.

[@fatheroblivion45]

Nice one Rod. I think I t’s a good idea to “revisit” tunes you’ve done in the past. I do it often. Big like 👍

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Jim, I quite often go back and have another go at tunes that I did a while back. Sometimes I'll take something I first played on a whistle then do a guitar version. If it a favourite tune it might pop up regularly once a year or something like that. Just this morning I fancied playing Elenore Plunkett and I've done that one a few times. I thought it might sound good with a rocky guitar sound. It's not quite finished yet but I think it will work.

[@fatheroblivion45]

@@Reeldin58 Sounds like a plan. I’ll look forward to hearing that one.

[@ProgRockDan1]

Listening to you and thinking how to write Golden Thunder at the Garden Gate

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Dan, if anyone is ever going to write Golden Thunder at my Garden Gate then it's you. There has to be a reason why I dream I had years ago came to me when I was listening to your music. The universe is a strange animal.

[@ProgRockDan1]

@@Reeldin58 yes I have some lyrical ideas but they don’t match. A chord progression yet.

[@dumpytown]

Jesus bless you bruv

[@Reeldin58]

Thanks for stopping by.