RE: OTHER TUNINGS

[Jack Ely <IMS_ELY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

BassHarp writes...

>I have enjoyed reading the various posts regarding playing the harp upside
>down (backwards), and it reminded me of a similar subject.  
>
>With the availability of replacement reed plates and interchangeability of
>parts (within a given brand), a whole new set of possibilities has been
>introduced.  Lee Oskar was the first to produce replaceble reed plates, and
>offer all components, including combs, cover plates and boxes, and others
>have followed his lead - that's just good business and makes perfect sense.
> (However, to Lee's credit and foresight, he has the exclusivity of offering
>replacement reed plates in all keys, for a total of 43.)
>
>But,to get back to the subject, the really neat upshot is the various
>possibilities that result:  Would you like to have a Dorian harp without
>retuning any reeds?  For a C Dorian, put a C Major blow reed plate and a Gm
>Natural Minor draw plate together - just that simple!  Same pattern of
>course, for any Dorian key.
>
>Another very interesting project is to reverse the two plates in a Major harp
>- install the blow plate on the bottom, and the draw on the top of the harp.
> Now you get the Dominant 7th on the blow and the Major on the draw.  The
>draw bends become blow bends, while the blow bends become draw bends.  Bob
>Williams has done this very modification with his Melody Makers, because he
>likes the Major 7th chord on the blow, and the Minor 7th on the draw.
>
>With the options of "mix & match" there are many possibilities.  Try it - you
>might like it!
>
>-----Danny Wilson  (BassHarp)>

Hi Danny,

	This gives me some ideas for experimentation at future Short Harp SIG 
meetings. We've already re-tuned some (bone box) harps to "country tuning" and 
"melody Maker" tunings. It's good for the guys (gals welcome too) who have 
never done any harp  maintenance / repair.

						Thanks,  Jack