Re: [Harp-L] Equal Temperament

[Mike Fugazzi <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx>]

Once again JP posts exactly what I would.

On Sun Apr 4th, 2010 6:56 PM CDT John F. Potts wrote:

>per David Fairweather:
>
>If I'm playing amplified diatonic blues there is NO WAY I will use anything
>but a Just Intoned harp.   The in-tune difference tones on a Just Intoned
>harp add a whole 'nother level to my playing.    And without naming him,  a
>well-known top level professional blues harp player once told me that
>anybody trying to play classic amplified blues on an Equal Temperament harp
>is always going to sound like a "candyass" by comparison.
>
>David,
>
>This is a valid point IF the only music one plays is classic amplified blues, which, if one is playing in the "classic" style, involves playing chords, and is restricted to playing in First, Second and Third position.  If that's the only music a player performs, JI is optimum.  No argument here about that.
>
>BUT, there are so many other styles of music to play amplified, other positions to play in, AND other approaches one can take to playing authentic blues.
>
>There is a serious problem sounding IN TUNE playing in Fourth, Fifth or Twelfth position on anything other than an ET harp because JI and compromise tunings have so many flat notes. Also, in any position, it's hard to play in tune w/horns on a harp with so many flat notes.
>
>There is also a problem playing chords on many styles of music other than classic blues and certain rock n' roll because the chords available on the instrument are so limited they don't always fit and can sound pretty bad if you try to play them on many types of material that is otherwise playable on a diatonic harp. So, if one doesn't play many chords, one doesn't use "in tune difference tones" at any level of playing.
>
>In this regard, there are also other approaches to playing authentic blues besides the "classic" style of 50+ years ago. I don't try to imitate old "classic" recordings when i play blues. It's the 21st century and the blues are not dead so, IMHO, they should not be embalmed.
>
>For these reasons, i think tunings other than ET are more limiting FOR ME playing the material i play (which includes, but is not limited to, blues). But, I don't play many chords anyway.  However, I  find it A LOT harder to sound IN TUNE with the band unless I am playing an ET harp no matter what style of music I am playing.  But, YMMV.
>
>Best regards,
>
>JP
>
>
>