Re: [Harp-L] Chromatic Blues

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Has anybody any experience with using the Steve Baker Special tuning that 
uses the first two octaves like the Marine Band tuning (with the missing F and A 
notes on a chromatic?

Since most people are already used to the Marine Band tuning and some may be 
award of the two Hohner models   now available only in the key of C (?), the 
Slide Harp/Koch. The Slide Harp is half-valved which means is less leaky than 
the Koch, which has no valves/winddsavers. 

The half-valving on the draw reeds only allows blow bends of at least a 
half-step on the low end of the harp similar to that available on ALL chromatic 
valved or windsaver harmonicas. Windsaver and valve are terms that mean the same 
thing; chromes usually have windsavers; diatonics have valves.

And why stop with just two octaves. If the object is to play bluesy and 
jazzy, why not make every octave Richter tuned?

I have XB40s and the Slide Harp because in some occasions (after 5 p.m.) and 
certain tunes a bent note just does not do a song the justice a "given" note 
on the harp with a button does.

The Steve Baker Special harps are available in four keys (?), as I recall. 
They are based on the 14-hole Marine Band.

But with a chromatic Steve Baker extended Special -- now easily available 
from any number of customizers and off the shelf by special order from Seydel, 
this is now a possibility.

NOTE: This extended Steve Baker tuning is not to be confused with the bebop 
tuning which replaces the first C (or tonic note) with a major 7th, B natural 
in the case of a C chromatic. This eliminates the double C's -- CEGCCEGCCEGC in 
the standard chromatic layout and adds the major 7th chord not otherwise 
available.

This is also not to be confused with the C7 tuning which uses a flat seven 
layout in C, G, F and a diminished.

Hope this is adequately confusing.

Remember the original question deals with the feasibility of an extended 
Steve Baker tuning. 

(All this other stuff is background for "clarity."

Phil






In a message dated 2/20/09 9:00:38 AM, 46long@xxxxxxxxx writes:


> "Gin and Diatonic" is a great idea for a song / album title.....if it 
> hasn't
> been used already!
> 
> On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 7:38 AM, Randy Power <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > John said: I'd like to hear other suggestions for great players.
> > I〓d like to hear some different variations in style too. I like Rod 
> Piazza.
> > And I〓ve always wondered... Rob Paparozzi, do you play Chromatic?
> > I〓ve heard you on Broadway and down in the Village with Pheobe. I think it
> > was all diatonic (maybe gin & diatonic...)
> >
> > Randy
> > --
> >
> >
> >
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> 
> 
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