Re: [Harp-L] Tuning up the band

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you're on a factory tuned G harp (which I know you're not, 
Winslow), then the A on a G harp (1 draw) is actually going to be a 
couple of cents sharper than an A on an A harp (1 blow).  

*Most* factory tuned low F harps that use a compromise intonation 
are going to have an A that's very close to 440hz.  The whole harp 
will be tuned up to about A=443 (~12 cents sharp), but the 2 blow 
will be 12 cents flat of the reference for intonation purposes.  The 
A on an E harp (5 draw) will also be about spot-on, but an octave 
higher.  

Believe it or not, I've been on gigs where I was the only one with a 
tuner.  That's like the piano player bringing a tuner.  It's not 
like I'm going to use it!  

-tim


Winslow Yerxa wrote:
> On the other hand, I've taken to giving fiddlers that A, always 
> the same  A on the same G-harp, with pitch pulled down ever so 
> slightly. If I don't do this, I risk sounding waaay sharp to them, 
> as the particular bunch I play with tend to tune (and play) flat 
> if they tune to a tuner.
> 
> Winslow
> 
> --- "Henderson, Peter" <Henderson@...> wrote:
> 
> > Steve writes:
> > 
> > I suspected that the slightly sharp tuning was to give the harp a
> > slightly "bright" edge with other instruments.  I always get 
> > annoyed when fiddle players ask me to "give 'em an A" or 
> > whatever.   Unless all your harps are  A440 and equal 
> > temperament, that request is a right old can of worms! It's  
> > always fiddle players, too.  Anyone else noticed that?
> > *******************************************************
> > Steve,
> > 
> > These days I work a couple of times a week with fiddlers and 
> > keep a tuner in my case for their use and my benefit. Indeed, 
> > if a fiddler or any instrument tunes to the harp they will be 
> > somewhere north of 440 and we all know who sounds out of tune 
> > in that case ;->
> > 
> > Trip
> 
> 
> 
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