[Harp-L] Re: Rick Epping- Blackird at IronLung 2004 -> What Harmonica is that?, continued

["Rick Epping" <rickepping@xxxxxxxxx>]

The two tunings I use most for Irish and Old Time music are standard Richter
tuning and one with the 2 & 3 draw notes each lowered two semitones.  This
altered tuning is good for both 1st and 3rd positions.  With it you get in
the first 4 holes a complete diatonic scale except for the 7th; on a G harp,
the F# is now missing in the first octave.  In addition, the draw chord (1
through 6 draw) on a G harp is now A minor instead of D Major, which works
out great for the many A minor Irish tunes that call for A minor and G Major
chords.  Also, the draw octave availability is increased: 1&4, 2&5, 3&6,
4&8, 5&9 and 6&10 draw are all octaves.
The missing 7th, however, is not an insignificant problem; this is where
Paddy Richter tuning shines, as both the 6th and 7th are there in the first
octave.  On regular 10-hole harps I put a valve inside hole 4 to bend the
4-blow down to pick up the 7th.  This works out well sometimes and not so
well at other times.  As a rule, if a tune calls for a sub-dominant chord
more than a dominant chord I'll most likely use the 2&3 down tuning; if the
dominant chord is more important I might use the standard tuning.  Some
tunes I'll use both tunings, with fast switching between them.
So with the 2&3 down tuning I have plenty of chords and octaves at my
disposal for tunes in both Major and minor keys.

Rick

> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 10:46:30 -0500
> From: "James boutilier" <jamesb@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Rick Epping- Blackird at IronLung 2004 -> What
>        Harmonica       is that?
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <20090107154630.38A4C11581F@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi all.
>
> New Years Resolution,  pick a harmonica, sit down and put lip to metal.
>
> An admission here... 2 things got me back into taking the harmonica
> seriously after thinking Blues was the only thing left to play on the harp
> (ok, so I wasn't very imaginative)..,
>
> 1. Brendan Power's Website -> if that's not an encouraging place to make
> you want to play Irish, nothing is. Thanks!
> and
> 2. One particular performance by Rick Epping on Youtube.  2 versions of
> Blackbird at the IronLung 2004
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEZI7HOlzNs
>
> Now, I've been back and forth enough times to have walked across Nova
> Scotia at this point, trying to figure out what is being played in that vid,
>  I mean what harmonica, key and tuning.
>
> Can anyone give a hand?   I've been trying to figure what harmonicas would
> be the best to start learning Irish and Cajun music, and some kind folks
> have been helping set things right in my head (no easy task.)
>
> I've been moving away from the Paddy tuning idea in preference of mixing
> more chord rhythm to the songs.  I'm about 95% decided on that at the
> moment,  but I'd truly like to know what's being played in that song?
>
> Granted, I'm sure a Puck would sound like a Promaster in the right mouth
> --- just not this mouth at this time (grin.)
>
> Thanks mates.
>
> jim
>
> -