[Harp-L] Tunings: PR vs MM vs CT

["Fred & Sylvia" <fsstov@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In another forum I was discussing the relative strengths and weaknesses of
Paddy Richter vs. Melody Maker tunings.  Tim Moyer and others on harp-l have
provided excellent discussions on the advantages of the PR over standard
tuning (PR = much gained and little lost in 2nd position, plus advantages in
other positions).  In trying to make a case for the occasional use of Melody
Maker vs. Paddy Richter tunings, I came up with the following examples of
song-specific tuning choices for 2nd position (or starting on the 3 draw, if
you will.  Personally, I have no problem thinking of a standard C retuned to
MM as still being 2nd pos for playing in G, even though intellectually I
understand the argument that it's not).

1) Danny-Boy - Definitely want to use Paddy Richter.  The raised 3 blow for
the 2nd scale degree is there for the last note of the first phrase
(call-all-ING), yet the flatted 7th (standard tuned 5 draw) is still there
for the third note of the next phrase ("from glen TO glen"). You would need
to bend the 5 draw on the MM to hit that note.

2) Georgia on My Mind - Here I think a MM is preferred.  Like the PR, the
second scale degree is there unbent on the 3 blow for the 4th note, but in
the third line, the natural 7th is needed on "just an old sweet SONG" - not
available on PR without overblowing.  Plus on the MM you can "scoop" into
that note by starting it bent.

After thinking this through, I thought it might be useful to point out that
for certain songs a MM is the better choice.  My final thought was that
country tuning is the least useful of the three most common alternate major
tunings (PR/MM/CT) for melodic playing  since it is missing the 2nd degree
unbent on the 3 blow like the PR and MM, and is probably most useful for
chordal playing.  Anyway, after putting together this thesis, I thought I'd
run it by the harp-l experts.  The thesis being: 1) PR very generally useful
and a definite preferred option on many songs, 2) MM can be fun to play and
is also most preferred on specific songs, 3) CT is not so useful unless you
want the I. IV. V chords.

Are there other songs where MM is really the way to go?  Is there something
wrong with this exposition?  I'm a big fan of alternate tunings for specific
songs, but 98% of the time play standard tuning for improvising.

Fred S