Re: [Harp-L] Duets, Diatonic-sounding chromatic?

["Dave Murray" <dmurray777@xxxxxxx>]

<<  I share your weak draws/bends problem and I would rather spend my time 
practicing whole songs or scales instead of trying to perfect draw/bend, 
trying to properly gap, and replacing reeds/harps that wear out quickly from 
bending.  So, my solution- as I have written about previously -is to hold 
two harps at the same time and play them together (C and C# /Db).  I've been 
doing it for months and really enjoying it.  I've learned a lot of new songs 
quickly and have even played them in different keys to match the radio or 
the accompanyist.  Try it- it's easy, you'll have your diatonic sound, and 
there are no valves to maintain.  It's easy to remember where the notes are 
positioned, so sight-reading is easy.  >>

What speed (bpm) have you been able to reach in four months of practice? In 
other words, how fast could you play the chromatic scale (1, 2, or three 
octaves) at a steady beat with a metronome? I can do some harp swapping for 
chord vamps, but have not really tried playing melodies since it seems like 
it would be quite difficult to play fast with proper timing with frequent 
swaps.

Peace and music,
Dave