Re: [Harp-L] Summertime on A Diatonic

[Rusty Wilson <harpoon_man@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Fred - nice survey of the various positions for this piece.  I spent a few minutes last night and this morning on the way to work playing Summertime in positions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on a "regular" tuned diatonic.  Here are my impressions on each position, listed in order of my preference from favorite to least favorite:
 
3rd - My favorite for this tune.  The hole 3 bends don't bother me that much.  However, I once was in a band that played this tune, and I always did it in 3rd position on a chromatic instead of a diatonic.
 
4th - I had not tried this tune in 4th but got it pretty easily... no objections to the bent tonic.  The head is easy enough in 4th, but I would have an easier time improving over the changes in 3rd though... guess that means I need to practice 4th more.
 
5th - The blow/draw patterns seem a little unusual, and this is coming from a player who really likes 5th position.  Also, the 5OB was pretty prominent, and I didn't make it sound very good.
 
2nd - Not much trouble playing the notes, but tough to make them sound musical and consistent with all the bends.
 
1st - Yikes, my technique (or lack thereof) on the 4OB was a deal killer for me.  I'm sure the NM tuning would work better.
 
-Rusty
_________________________________________________________________
See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your life.
http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/