I've owned 2 other harmonicas (not counting my chromatic 'Jammico' which somehow lacks soul), a Marine Band and a Bluesmaster. The MB was hard to bend and the BM was a bit thin sounding. Later, I purchased a cheap chromatic mentioned above but it didn't feel right and I seldom played it.
Last night, I got my first East Top. They are an up and coming brand in many harp players' gear bags and I thought I would see if they were any good. But I didn't want just any blues harp. I wanted something special I hadn't already owned.
Just a short preamble about reeds. The T10-2 sounds warm and sweet because of its easily de-tunable brass reeds. I wouldn't use it for overblowing as it's un-economical. I find it a responsive instrument I can play at low volumes and bend easily, without annoying my neighbors more than a performance instrument -unless I were a wealthy man.
A bit sore that these come in a cardboard flip top box lined with faux leather embossed paper. But there was a nice baby blue branded cleaning cloth and some waxy paper wrapped around the harp -it looked like someone cared albeit somewhat from the 1980s. Surely China has progressed!
Now the obvious, it bends well, being somehow very air tight and the resonance is good, as I said, those brass reeds do indeed sing. I may get down-voted but I prefer the T10-2 to the Special 20 which Dad uses (bought it for him -how many harps have I bought, omg).
Finally, what you've all been waiting for: can you peruse both sides of the harmonica in a song? What I found was, YES you can but not for all songs. I've done mid-song flips and they work fine provided you memorize those hole-to-mouth positions. One song I can think of that flips is "Put your Hand on my Shoulder" [correct me if I'm wrong].
You can also try, "He'll have to Go" which should feature a bend somewhere. All sound good on this harp. Trying to play the Phantom of the Opera is near impossible as it's in a minor key. Don't bother trying it if it breaks you, wind up feeling disappointed. All harp music is simple -that's my rule -what matters is how you apply rapid 'puhh' rhythm and that 'aww' sound, plus a few 'yooh' bends. We've all heard those stale renditions of "Red River Valley" all too many times.
Learn the way of the diatonic and you will be a happy person. Don't play Amazing Grace more than once or twice. Play Unchained Melody or Flower of Malaya, and of course Oh! Susannah. Anything that swings / rocks.
And one last thing (Hey, Steve!) don't munch cookies before your gig / practice.
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