[Harp-L] Re: Low F#

["Hellerman, Steven L." <shellerman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I play regularly w/ these guys who always tune down half a step, so G becomes F#. And a regular F# harp is sometimes just too high and screechy. So the low F# harp is often the right call. 

Turns out Hohner no longer makes a low F# Marine Band. I got one on ebay a little while back. 

SLH



Message: 10
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 09:26:02 -0800
From: Gary Lehmann <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] low F#
To: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>, harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:
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F# is easier on guitar than some other instruments--I like F# too, lots of
interesting open string possibilities.

On Tue, Jan 5, 2016 at 4:57 AM, Michael Rubin <
michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> There is an old Doonesbury cartoon where Jimmy Thudpucker is making an
> album.  They call in the famous studio guitarist and explain the kind of
> mood they want.  Plaintive, wistful, etc.  He says, "You mean, like
> something in an F?"
>
> In other words, keys aren't just arbitrary.  They create a mood.  Have your
> band play one of its long time songs in another key.  You'll feel a major
> difference, even if the key is only a half step away.
>
> F# and its brother keys have a mood.  Just because musicians tend to be
> afraid of the skill level necessary to play in those keys, doesn't mean the
> mood isn't beautiful and deserves more attention.  Hendrix is quoted as
> saying F# was his favorite key.
> Michael Rubin
> michaelrubinharmonica.com
>
> On Tue, Jan 5, 2016 at 6:35 AM, Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >    Low F# is my go-to harp for just about anything in Bb, as a longtime
> 5th
> > position player.  I think 4th might be an easier position for "Take
> Five,"
> > however.  "Summertime" and Van Morrison's "Moon Dance," too.
> >
> > Mick Zaklan
> >
>
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