Re: [Harp-L] Music Writing Question

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bob - 

You have correctly located the actual pitch of Hole 1 blow on a
standard C harp.

Hole 1 blow for keys B, Bb, A, etc down as far as G would be pitched
below this note.

Hole 1 blow for keys Db, D, etc. up to F# would be pitched above this
note.

Three caveats:

1. There are also low versions of C, D, Eb, E, F, and F# harps, which
are pitched an octave lower and would logically be written an octave
lower. In some cases it might be better to notate them the same as the
standard  higher key and note that they sound an octave lower than
written. This avoids having either use bass clef or use a lot of leger
(not "ledger") lines below the treble clef.

2) There are also high versions of G and A harps. Again, probably the
easiest thing is to write them as if for the standard versions of these
keys as note that they sound an octave higher than written.

3) Even for the standard keys (like C), you will sometimes encounter
the instrument written an octave lower that it sounds - as in Hole 4
blow being writtten as middle C - the first leger line below the treble
staff as you indicated. Some books even use both this octave shift AND
actual pitch in alternation.

4) Ignore caveat 3 for your own purposes.

Winslow

--- Bob Cohen <bcohen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> In my quest to both be a better harp player and to learn how to read 
> 
> and write music, I've decided to write out my exercises on music  
> paper.  How do I know where to place the notes on the staff to  
> differentiate between the first, second, and third octaves.
> 
> For example, I've seen it where the C from the first octave on a C  
> harp is written:
> 
> -------------
> -------------
> -------------
> -------------
> -------------
> -o-
> 
> 
> What about the other keys?  There must be a rule for this.  How far  
> above or below the main staff must/can you go to express the scales  
> correctly.  Damn, I should probably take a few theory courses at  
> Berkeley. :-(  Wish there was another 12 to 24 hours in the day.
> 
> Bob Cohen
> _______________________________________________
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> 


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