Re: [Harp-L] tuning

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- On Thu, 10/29/09, jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx>

> If the band tunes to a tuner, am I
> more apt to be in tune with the band
> using just or equal tuning?
> 

That depends. In the US, bands usually tune to A440. If your harmonica really were tuned to A440, Just Intonation would put your thirds (Blow 2, 5, 8, and Draw 3 and 7) way flat and your fifths (Blow 3, 6, 9, and Draw 1, 4, and 8) slightly sharp. Draw 7 and 9 would also be quite flat.

However, harmonicas are usually tuned higher than A440, despite what is stamped on the cover. Test any harp against a tuner and it will be A442, 443, 444, or something quite inconsistent from note to note even if supposedly in equal temperament. Some of this sharpness is due to pitch standards in other countries (German musicians tune to A444) and some of it is to compensate for the slight pitch depression that results from players' breath pressure.

Pat Missin advises tuning to A443 so that the flattened notes of Just Intonation are less flat against A440. I find this uncomfortably sharp, so I tune to A442. This works well overall for me (YMMV). However, I do notice that on JI tempered instruments, the lowered thirds do tend to sound a little flat against equal tempered instruments tuned to A440. Not horribly so, but it's noticeable. The raised fifths (2 to 3 cents) tend to sound OK, and I don't lower 7ths to the extremely flat pitch used in 7-limit JI - I find a compromise that sounds acceptable to me.

I should note that Steve Baker and Madcat Ruth both have compromise temperaments that they feel strike a balance. 

Madcat's was shown in HIP No. 5 along with my in-depth interview with him' perhaps he can share it with us.

Steve's temperament (published in his "The Harp handbook") is now used in the Marine Band Crossover. I have played these briefly, and found the tuning to be pleasing at least in solo performance; I didn't get to try one with a band.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5