Re: [Harp-L] Richter oh Richter, why oh why?



My belief is mostly inertia - "everyone knows there are "chromatic" players and "blues" players, and blues use richter".  Because that's what you can buy, that's what you learn.  If there's no demand, then there's no stock.

Until fairly recently, very few people knew about custom tunings or customisers.  The vendors that did "odd" tunings (eg Lee Oscar) made a selling point about it.  Even quite minor tweaks from Hohner (eg the "Highlander" tremelo tuning - one pair of notes changed) were considered quite significant changes.

People like Pat Missin and Brendan Power have really moved people's perceptions of what is reasonable to do or use in terms of tuning.  And there's really no excuse with removable reed plates not to make the more common oddities centrally available.

Mike




________________________________
From: Daniel Perrone <dany_perrone@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009 14:32:17
Subject: [Harp-L] Richter oh Richter, why oh why?

Despite the title let me say that I love the traditional Richter tuning, it's just that with all the recent discussion about alternate tunings like the country tuning by long time professionals has me wondering, once again as to why  the traditional Richter tuning, or very slight variations of it (country, paddy Richter) is the tuning most used by pros outside of blues.

I've been playing harp for a couple years and by now I have a decent understanding as to why the traditional Richter tuning is the best for blues, period. I love "bluesifying your melody" and the standard tuning serves me well when I want to do that. But so many times I find myself going for the paddy or the country or melody maker tuning when playing certain melodies. So I keep having this nagging question in my head as to why most pros stick with Richter when playing classical music , jazz, pop etc etc.
There is got to be a musical reason. You see, I have heavily invested in Richter harps and it will make me very happy to know that, LOL.

Is it merely tradition ? It's hard to change now?
Is it because most manufactures only produce the standard tuning ?
Is it the ability to play octaves ? ( not possible with circular tuning for example)
Has something to do with better tongue blocking ?
Is it the extended range you get ( a few more notes than with major cross or circular for example)?
Is it the ability to overblow easier ?

Anyways, please enlighten me. No sarcasm or off the wall answer please. I am really trying to grow musically in my journey with the harmonica.

Thanks,
Daniel
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