[Harp-L] Re. Powerbender Based Tuning

[Tony Eyers <tony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 I agree with the naming rights approach, and I think Brendan is 
entitled to the "Power Chromatic Tuning" moniker. We should also add 
Paddy Richter, a name coined by Brendan for the tuning with the 3 blow 
raised a tone. Brendan perhaps didn't "invent" Paddy Richter, but he 
certainly came up with the name, and used the tuning to great effect on 
his 1994 "New Irish Harmonica" CD.

More generally, I think that naming rights should go to those with the 
first significant recordings for a given tuning. There is self interest 
here, I came up with a tuning based on the Lee Oskar Melody Maker which 
I call "Major Cross". Details are at 
http://www.harmonicatunes.com/retuned I use the tuning exclusively on my 
Black Mountain Harmonica CD. Major Cross requires 7 notes to be changed, 
so there hasn't been an avalanche of devotees. I can think of two, but 
early days yet.

The wider issue is availability of the various tunings. The Lee Oskar 
Melody Maker and Minor tunings are easily found. Seydel instruments in 
Country Tuning (draw 5 up a tone) and Paddy Richter tuning are available 
online from coast2coastmusic.

As for the more esoteric tunings (we'd have to include Power Chromatic 
and Major Cross here), they can be obtained by special order from Seydel 
via their Harp Configurator service, at 
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel.sf/secGT5MiVbuG7I/?ObjectID=522126  
Michael Timmler from HarpOnline will also do custom tunings for Hohner 
instruments, details at 
http://www.harponline.de/des/harponline_tuning_designer.php?&locale=en_GB&; 
<http://www.harponline.de/des/harponline_tuning_designer.php?&locale=en_GB&;>

Most will of course stick to the standard Richter tuning, which takes a 
dozen lifetimes to really get the hang of. However the alternate tunings 
open doors to new music, or fresh approaches to old music. In 
particular, Brendan's new tuning offers new possibilities for blues.

Tony Eyers
Australia
www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
...everyone plays