[Harp-L] Ghost notes on harp

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

V

If you play split intervals you will create what i refer to as ghost  
notes. A ghost note is a tone created from the summation or  
differential tones  of the notes you are actually playing.   For  
example, if you play the 1-4 draw split octave cleanly, you will hear  
a third note sound between the pitches of 2 notes being played that  
is not actually  being played.  This phenomenon is most pronounced  
playing octaves, but always accompanies split intervals.

Some other double stops that are not split intervals will also create  
ghost notes, but not at a pitch between the notes being played. I  
don't understand this as well, and the effect is not as dramatic.  I  
think the creation of summation/differential tones is a  
characteristic of fixed reed instruments, but there are others who  
know a lot more about this than i do.

I rely on the ghost notes produced by playing split interval to use  
as substitutes for chords. They sound very large and fat if you do   
it right,
and they can fit a wider variety of material than the  chords that  
are available on the instrument.

JP