[Harp-L] Country tuning

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

My interest in this thread is in the stories and myths about the  
harmonica, their origins and how they evolve and spread.  And, as  
importantly what they might tell us about the real history of the  
instrument.

In this case, what seems most notable, as Phill mentioned, is how  
something like country tuning probably isn't a single event invention,  
but rather something that was discovered by many people working  
independently, but on similar problems.I have no reason to doubt that  
Smokey came up with this tuning himself, but don't think that alone  
should assume a connection to those who may have done so independently  
(or may not--it would be nice to know either way, but in the absence  
of evidence I prefer a neutral stance).

I think it is likely that most of the more simple single-note  
rearrangements of the standard tuning as well as the modal ones are  
probably more likely than not to have been figured out by many people  
working independntly over the years, and the stories around country  
tuning are a nice illustration of this proposal.

I also find it interesting (though probably insignificant) that both  
Smokey and I have the same recollection of how Charlie tells the story  
in person (can't remember the name) but that there is a name in the  
published account.  Even a god like McCoy is still human when it comes  
to remembering names:).


JR Ross