Hands Free Chromatic Page

[SlideMeister]

Mike Easton suggested this new page so here it is

[Gnarly He Man]

Just got mine back out.

[Gnarly He Man]

Hey Mike, what does the external spring look like?
I think my spring must be internal.
I only ask because Mike is offering an upgrade to owners of the old model.

[blowharp]

Hi Gary, The external spring are the ones Vern made for the original models. They attach to the screws for the bottom cover plate.

I converted a customers older model to internal this week just to see if it could be done. I told him his braces were ready to come off.

[blowharp]

Mike Easton suggested this new page so here it is

Thanks much Age.

[Gnarly He Man]

Granafei!

This is from 12 years ago . . . so the new model is from the future!

[Gatty1010]

I am surprised to see very few posts here. This is a very interesting subject for players whose both hands are occupied on another instrument. Would really like to know more about this...

[Gnarly He Man]

Mike is shipping—
He told me he had some assembled, he is building them from Seydel stainless steel deluxe chromatics.

[Gatty1010]

How does this really work? Hands free? I have always imagined the slider press in reverse way - basically slider pull.... against spring pressure through a long string with other end tied to one of your toes to pull the string with the slider. This action should activate all sharp /flat notes and release should put the normal notes back..... some wild imagination LOL 

Any information about how this really works?

[Vern]

How it works..........

There are systems that use push-pull cables like a gear-shift cable on a bicycle to connect a foot pedal to the button of a chromatic.  However, that is not how the Hands-Free-Chromatic works.

On the HFC, the lightly spring-loaded mouthpiece moves down about 4mm to direct the player's breath into the lower C# reed plate.  This produces the same result as pushing the button.  The player uses a slight nod of his head instead of a button push.

Vern

[Vern]

Gatty should visit Mike Easton's web site , https://customchromatics.com , for pictures and complete information on the HFC and its accessories. There is also a diagram and a description of how it works.

Foot-Pedal (or your string tied to your toe) systems use the standard slide of the chromatic and do not require any substantial modification of the instrument. However, the foot pedal anchors the performer to one spot on the stage and is cumbersome to transport.

The HFC mechanism replaces the mouthpiece and slide of a standard chromatic.  It allows free movement of the performer about the stage and adds no cumbersome claptrap to be protected and transported.

I experimented with and used both systems for many years.

Vern

[Gatty1010]

Vern - This is simply amazing. Yes, we need to get used to it. Just like I am trying to get used to a wide open mouth embouchure for tongue blocking and octaving. Slight head tilt to get to the sharp notes should be comparatively easy  ..

Guitarists, Pianists percussionists.... they will all welcome this HFC with both hands...

I have just started my journey with keyboard and guitar is on the list too - still a beginner with keyboard starting with "Three Blind Mice" and 'Jingle bells' practice. I know I will need HFC very soon, so I will start saving for it right away....

[blowharp]

using the HFC with Vern's designed Ergonomic Neck rack completes the ensemble.  I watch videos of players using lesser racks and my neck aches from watching them reaching for higher notes and the rack is moving all over the place.  The ENC is sturdy not just for HFC use but also diatonic.

[Laina]

Enrico Granafei will be playing and demonstrating HFC at HarmonicaUK Virtual Weekend 18-20 June.

http://harmonica.uk/HUKBlog/chromatic-weekend/
http://enricogranafei.com/hands-free-chromatic-harmonica.html

[SlideMeister]

He's as good on that weird, seven-stringed (or whatever) guitar as he is on the hands free. Fun to watch and hear. Always a treat.