Re: [Harp-L] klezmer on chromatic harp

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Short answer: Any standard chromatic in the key of C will work to play songs 
in the harmonic minor tuning. "A chromatic (will) play the harmonic minor 
scales just as well regular C" with the exceptions listed below.

Long answer: Depends on how much money you can spend -- buying more than one 
harp.

The Harmonic Minor Tuning differs from the commonplace Major Diatonic Tuning 
in the key of C by using an Eb and an Ab instead of the respective E and A.   
Check out the Lee Oskar web site for a layout of the Harmonic Minor Tuning for 
comparison to make this more clear. 

On a chromatic, it's merely a matter of "converting" the flats into sharps -- 
because (unless you blow bend--not that hard) when you press in the lever, it 
RAISES the pitch a half step.

Eb is the same note (enharmonic) as D#   and Ab is the same as G#.

Sharps "go up" and flats "go down."   On the piano keyboard, press the G 
note. If you go Up (right) or higher in pitch to the black key, that black key is 
G#. But if you START on the A note and go down (left) the same black is an Ab. 
In a tall apartment building, one man's floor is another man's ceiling.

If you know what keys you are going to be using, you can get chromatics in 
say the key of A or D -- they come in a bunch of keys. If you do that you only 
have to worry where the 3rd note of the scale (E on a C harp) and the 6th note 
(A on a C harp) falls in the harmonica layout.

This means, you will need to press the button each time to play the D note to 
raise it half a step to Eb/D# and the same with G for a G#/Ab.

If you switch harps, your "flatted note/sharped note" always occurs in the 
same spot on the chromatic harmonica.

If you insist on playing a C chromatic, each time you switch keys, the 
blow-draw pattern changes for that key plus you have the added excitement of keeping 
track of where those flatted/sharped notes fall. 

Some purists insist that everything is playable on a C chromatic. This is 
true. But some keys are more difficult than others. Not because the keys are 
inherently difficult (all keys have the same note relationship). But some keys 
require the constant use of the lever to play them on a C chromatic while an A 
chromatic would require the button for the 3rd note of the scale and   6th note.

NOTE: the chromatic is not any more difficult to play than holes 4-7 on a 
Richter tuned 10-hole diatonic. 

In short:
1. Play a C chromatic -- it will work..
2. Get chromatics in the keys you will play in -- several brands offer 
variety of pricing.
3. If you are dedicated to klezmer playing, simply order a Seydel chromatic 
factory tuned in the Harmonica Minor key(s) you play to use. (I have Seydel C7 
and G7 harps.) These factory-custom tuned harps will cost a few bucks more 
than a standard chromatic but it will be worth it in the amount of time you will 
save.
4. Buy Lee Oskar Harmonica Minor in keys you need.
5. Order Harmonic Minor in keys you need from Seydel -- or anybody else.
6. Pay somebody to re-tune your C chromatic into Harmonic Minor.


Disregard No. 3 if you read music, because that skill takes a lot of the 
hassle   out of this project.

But it might be a feasible option if all you want to do is play music right 
now instead of worrying about what appears to many as convoluted music theory. 

FYI: if you want to understand music theory, take some piano/keyboard 
lessons. In a year you may understand more than you ever thought you could about 
music -- and without any of the pain. 

Hope this helps.
Phil Lloyd



In a message dated 1/29/09 1:37:32 AM, dvelton@xxxxxxxxx writes:


> I couldn't find the answer to this anywhere on the web, so I turn to your 
> collective wisdom:
> 
> What sort of chromatic harp is needed to play klezmer? Does it need harmonic 
> minor tuning just like on diatonic, or will a chromatic play the harmonic 
> minor scales just as well regular C?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 




**************
>From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay 
up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023)