Re: [Harp-L] FLAT!! But Maybe Not??

[Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 31, 2010, at 6:01 PM, Chesper Nevins wrote:

> I have resorted to carrying my digital tuner with me and try to get a
> note from the band before playing (and get a reading on the tuner if
> possible, without being too conspicuous).

Thank you for that suggestion.  I will start putting my tuner in my 
compact gig kit.


> Or at the very least, I play a note with someone from the group before
> the tune to avoid any surprises.

I will do this on future occasions as opportunity permits.


> I have decided in general that a 442 harp sounds good with instruments
> tuned around 440, a 444 harp with instruments at 442, etc.

We're not talking a couple of hertz or cents, here.  It sounded for all 
the world like I'd pulled the  *wrong harp*  out of the case.  (Heavy 
squinting in dim light eliminated that as the problem, though.)


> What a rotten feeling!

Yah!


> I suppose you could also have tried any of your harps from the
> audience (softly) while they were playing previous tunes just to
> check.

In general, yes.  On the occasion of the gig, I wasn't expecting to 
play.  The band leader started his groove, then looked right at me and 
said, into the mic, "Is there a harmonica player in the house?"  (Thank 
you, Guitar Mikey, Clarksdale, MS!)


> I haven't really gotten as far as carrying a number of different harps
> at 440, 442, 444, etc...
>
> J


Hoo, boy!  :-)
E.