Re: [Harp-L] A=440 Hz
- To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
- Subject: Re: [Harp-L] A=440 Hz
- From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:12:02 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
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- Reply-to: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Deb wrote:
> Richard wrote:
> > Let's not forget that Lee Oskars are tuned A441, which is
> > slightly sharper than A440.
>
> Interesting.... Why?
When you play a harp hard, the pitch drops. Oskars are tuned slightly sharp so that when they're played hard, the pitch will be close to A440, as opposed to several cents below.
Way back in the heyday of chromatic harmonica, Leo Diamond used chromatics tuned to A=447 for the same reason--he played his instruments very hard (and with a big, big vibrato), and tuning them up a little ensured that he wouldn't sound completely flat compared to the accompanist(s). Tommy Morgan told me once that he carried chromatics tuned to A=447 in his studio kit specifically so that he could play in Diamond's style when necessary.
Regards, Richard Hunter
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
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