Author Topic: Suzuki Humming tremolo  (Read 16138 times)

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bartlettbooks

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Suzuki Humming tremolo
« on: March 05, 2014, 05:02:55 PM »
Hello   I am looking for objective info on the Suzuki Humming tremolo harmonica.  Is it airtight.  Do all the reeds play?  ETC.  I have other Suzuki harmonicas  and they are well made instruments.  How would  this instrument compare with other Suzuki harps.  I have found one on Amazon and the price seems right.


      Thanks All    Bob 8)

Sailboat Slim

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2014, 08:28:47 PM »
I have one that I play occasionally and I've had no problems with it. Seems well made and airtight. I've often wondered why tremolos sell for so much less than diatonics.

bartlettbooks

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2014, 09:10:44 PM »
I have a Suzuki study model cost 10 dollars including shipping.  It is a good harp, but  could be more air tight.  I have been practicing with it, but want to step to a performance harp.

I have read good reviews on the Humming model and it seems to be near the top of the line for Suzuki tremolos.  Amazon has them for about 68 dollars not including shipping.  I don't know why they cost less than a diatonic.  A top of the line Suzuki diatonic costs more than that I believe

                   Thanks     Bob 8)

clyde

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2014, 10:32:12 PM »
Over the years I have had many different brands of tremolos and the humming is by far my favorite

Offline Grizzly

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2014, 10:34:33 PM »
working on my second 10,000!

clyde

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2014, 10:40:46 PM »
68 bucks is quite a deal for this harp, you better grab it while you can.  I notice they only have two at that price.

clyde

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2014, 10:46:29 PM »
My mistake, only two (g) harps left.... Several others at different prices

hallelujahal

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2014, 03:44:06 PM »
I don't think you'll be disappointed with the humming tremolo by Suzuki. If you're looking for the key of D  harp be aware that they do a low and high version in this key. The Low D is like the smoothest, milkiest latte you could imagine! The high D is a screamer and really cuts through in a session.
AL

bartlettbooks

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2014, 06:40:30 PM »
I bought Suzuki humming in C on Amazon for 74 bucks including shipping.  I am looking forward to getting it.  I have been practicing on a Suzuki 24 study model.  I hope this Humming will be a good step up.

                                                                   Bob 8)

bartlettbooks

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2014, 11:06:06 PM »
I received the Humming tremolo yesterday.  A very nice harp, seems to be  tight.  I had been practicing on a Suzuki study model. No comparision, of course the study model is a 10 dollar harp, so probably is the least expensive one made.

I am surprised how easy it is to play it by ear.

                                                              Bob 8)

Offline beads

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2014, 08:26:00 PM »
I have two Humming trems. D and G. Nice harps. Seem to play best when you don't blow hard. I tongue block so the top hole and bottom hole get the same amount of air. Each harp is well made but on each one there were a couple of notes that didn't have the right amount of tremolo. As you go up the scale the tremolo effect gets faster. I had a couple of notes that actually got slower than the lower note. I fixed that by tuning the bottom reeds of those notes up. The sharper the bottom reed the faster the tremolo, at least on my harps. This is not like tuning to a different note. The difference between the top and bottom reed is very small so a TINY tweak is all it needed.  Very happy with them and probably will get another. I find the partial chords fit in more places than the complete chords you get on a standard diatonic. For large note jumps I use corner switching just like on a chrome. When I first got a trem I had trouble getting the tremolo effect out of all the notes all the time. I was lip blocking and not putting as much air into the top and bottom holes. Some time spent adjusting to the harp really paid off. It's a different animal than a chrome or blues harp.
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mwatersworld

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2014, 07:51:17 PM »
I received my Humming in D yesterday and have to say I'm a little disappointed. It's nice an responsive and well made but I hadn't realized that the Suzuki's D is an octave below anything else on the market. I found the bottom octave almost too low to be useable while with the upper octave I not only keep running out of notes but it has some funky note layout that keeps tripping me up. If only Seydel made the Mountain Harp in D/G, sigh.

hallelujahal

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2014, 12:32:13 PM »
Suzuki make two Humming harps in D - a low D and a standard (i.e. High) D. Methinks you've ordered the low D perhaps in error? Anyways, the low D is pure silk as far as I'm concerned  8)

hallelujahal

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #13 on: March 31, 2014, 12:36:38 PM »
Quote
It's a different animal than a chrome or blues harp

Too true it is! It takes some adjusting to get used to. The holes are generally closer together, and layout can be different. The actual reed gapping is usually a wee bit tighter too - so gentle as she goes is the method, until you work out how hard you can take it. The abused blues harp style is totally inappropriate for a quality tremolo harp.
AL

mwatersworld

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2014, 12:58:29 PM »
I mentioned that I thought there was a low and high D to Ron at RockinRons (great service) from whom I order a lot of my harps. He said he wasn't aware of any choice availability - at least in the US. He said he only has one D which is what I got. If a high D is available in the US I'm not sure from where. If I could find one at least I wouldn't spend so much time in that pesky upper octave. Perhaps Gary could weigh in?

hallelujahal

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #15 on: March 31, 2014, 01:32:25 PM »
Certainly in the UK it's a well known fact that Suzuki do a high & low D in the range
http://www.harmonicas-direct.com/harmonicas/tremolo/suzuki-humming-tremolo
AL

mwatersworld

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #16 on: March 31, 2014, 01:40:24 PM »
So the "high" D is really normal and the "low" D which is marketed as simply D is really an octave below. Could they make it any more confusing!

Thanks. Looks like I'll have to put an order into Blighty unless anyone knows of the availability of a high (normal) D in the US.

Offline beads

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #17 on: March 31, 2014, 06:39:16 PM »
I like my low D. It did take some adjusting to but I also have a Hohner Special 20 in low D so I might have had a head start. In time you might like it also. Most of the time I'm in the middle octave.
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Offline Gnarly He Man

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #18 on: April 17, 2014, 12:31:49 PM »
First, a shout out to all the harmonica players in Southern California--this Saturday is the annual Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa California, at Harry Griffen Park--I will be there manning the Suzuki booth with my main man Daron.
So I am cleaning and checking all the harps for folks to try (they are fresh back from Williamsburg) and encountered this:
http://www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas/SU-13m/
Smaller version of said Suzuki tremolo Humming thingie.
I am not a tremolo player, but I like these because they start on the 5th degree of the scale--and they come in minor and major versions.

clyde

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #19 on: April 17, 2014, 01:16:55 PM »
love my humming!  don't know about the smaller version.   looked at it before on ron's but i don't really see any advantage of the smaller humming.  of course that doesn't mean i won't get one.

Offline McManus

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #20 on: April 17, 2014, 11:35:19 PM »
Gnarly; is there a sample of it being played?
"Music is the medicine of the mind." John Logan

pyro_fire60099

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #21 on: April 18, 2014, 03:08:39 AM »

Offline Gnarly He Man

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #22 on: April 18, 2014, 03:21:38 AM »
Thanks Wally!

Lo

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #23 on: April 18, 2014, 06:58:02 AM »
From this vid, it seems the "tremolo" is quite dry.

Offline McManus

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #24 on: April 18, 2014, 08:21:01 AM »
Thank you Wally.  What does it mean when a tremolo is dry?
"Music is the medicine of the mind." John Logan

Lo

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #25 on: April 18, 2014, 09:11:41 AM »
A "dry" sound means that the two reeds that make one note, are pitched really close together, so that the "tremolo" effect is modest. The opposite is a "wet" sound, where the "tremolo" effect is bigger, more like wailing.
Hope this clarifies.

Offline McManus

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #26 on: April 18, 2014, 11:14:37 AM »
Thank you, Lo!  It does answer the question.
"Music is the medicine of the mind." John Logan

bartlettbooks

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #27 on: April 18, 2014, 11:23:15 AM »
I am having a lot of fun with my Humming  I have not enjoyed a harmonica  as much since I got my first Marine Band when I was a 10 year old boy.  It is tight, does not require much air, and for some reason it is eay to pick up tunes and play by ear.






                                        Bob Rice 8)

Offline McManus

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #28 on: April 18, 2014, 11:40:07 AM »
Are there particular tremolos or brands that are dry or wet.

I have a Seydel Mountain Harp that I got from Danny G. and I really enjoy it.  I'm guessing it's wet.
"Music is the medicine of the mind." John Logan

clyde

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Re: Suzuki Humming tremolo
« Reply #29 on: April 18, 2014, 12:48:09 PM »
Asian harps are dry European wet