Re: [Harp-L] Re: Jerome's post on Special Tuning Questions

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jerome,

I started using it in the mid 1980s after reading the description in  
Richard Hunter's book "Jazz Harp" (thanks Richard!) and rapidly  
became addicted. The ability to effortlessly play major melodies in  
2nd position was fascinating for me and producers loved this (I was  
working a lot as a studio musician at the time). There's a section on  
it in the Harp Handbook which first came out in 1990. At the time I  
called it "major 7th" tuning, as that seemed to me more descriptive  
of how you actually use it than "lydian". I never really liked the  
term "country tuning" but later adopted it because it was current  
usage in the USA. When teaching it I emphasize "major 7th" because CT  
seems to imply a much narrower range of potential uses than it  
actually has. To go by Tony's post, I guess whether or not you also  
raise 9-draw depends on what kind of music you play. I don't play  
fiddle tunes as a rule and wouldn't want to be without the minor 7th  
note, which you lose if you do this,

Steve

On 18.11.2009, at 09:18, Jérôme P. wrote:

> Hi Steve.
>
> I don't know why it is not more popular, but I remember I was  
> myself a bit
> reluctant when I first began to use this tuning (something like 10  
> years
> ago).
> I used to play a lot of blues, and I was afraid not to be as  
> efficient on
> the 7th in 2nd position.
> After a while, I began to understand that not only I was at least as
> efficient on it, but I could also bend this note, which gives the
> possibility to sound more bluesy on other chords, like the C and D  
> chords.
>
> I've never raised the 9 draw neither.
>
> I didn't know you were using this "Lydian Tuning". Interesting.
> It's great to know that you will do classes on it!
>
> Jerome
> http://www.youtube.com/JersiMuse

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.bluesculture.com