Re: [Harp-L] flat keys

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Michael is right, of course. Getting past the default C harmonica is a matter of personal choice. Whatever key sounds best to the player who is buying the harp is the one to get. And if you are playing solo -- in the woods or in performance -- you can pick any key. 


I like Diet Coke; some people like Diet Pepsi. I can't understand why; it's just their taste. Same with harps. Only problem is that you can't try one out before buying it. Because the key element in this question is what it sounds like to the player. Harmonica sounds different to the player than to the listener (not the player).



There is no one-harp-fits-all selection. Certain keys appeal to certain people. I happen to like the key of A. I just love the timbre. Some people prefer Bb, or G, Ab. The only way to find the best one is keeping trying until you find the one you like.


Phil



-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Sep 8, 2014 7:42 am
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] flat keys


Everyone keeps talking about get the flat keys in order to play with
someone else.  You seem to miss lloyd's original posting:

"Assuming no other instruments existed in the world, and acoustic harp only
remained,"

He is not asking why get a Bb harp when there are other instruments.  He
knows sometimes a guitarist wants to play in a key where a Bb harp is a
great choice.

He wants to know what is cool about Bb is you're playing by yourself.  Or
am I misreading the question, Llyod?
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 12:49 AM, Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> On Sep 6, 2014, at 9:02 PM, Lloyd Short <lloyd.arthur.short@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > what's the real motivation for getting a flat key harp. Assuming no other
> > instruments existed in the world, and acoustic harp only remained, why
> > should I choose Bb over A or Eb over D? is there a tone difference ? I
> know
> > I just gave examples of a key sharp, not flat, but you should get the
> point
> > of what I'm asking.
>
> This is far simpler than you might imagine. One key is not better than
> another. All choice relate to the key of the song you are playing. Mostly
> this is a function of some combination of the song writer's preferences,
> the kinds of instruments in the rhythm section, and the range of the
> vocalists. E.g., if you play with Jazz cats blowing saxes, you're more
> likely to find yourself playing in the flat keys. If you are playing blues
> with guitar players, you're more likely to find yourself playing in E, A,
> D, or G which are a bit easier to play on the guitar.
>
> Much depends on whether you are calling the tunes or or backing up someone
> else. The thing you want to avoid is not having the right harp for key of
> the song. The right key is the subject of a whole 'nother discussion which
> involves your personal facility and artistic preferences. There are guys
> out who can play all 12 keys with one harp. There are many who say so what
> and think that doing so is an inferior artistic choice. Do yourself a favor
> and get all 12 keys and have fun. :-)
>
> Bob Cohen
> Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
> w: bobjcohen.com
> t: #itsabobworld
>
>
>