Re: [Harp-L] new diatonic tuning for chromatic play with chords

[Roger Myerson <myerson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with the sensible list of desirable properties that Boris 
Plotnikov suggests below, except that I would be happy to get 2.5 
octaves in 12 holes instead of 10 if I could get full chromatic scales 
with just some simple draw bends.  That is the trade-off that we make 
with fourkey and twokey tunings.

Chord twokey tuning has a full 2.5 octave range in 12 holes.
In fact, a chord twokey harp with 2.5 octaves can be purchased from 
Seydel by their harp configurator for the soloist pro 12, but Seydel can 
only make it in the Eb-minor/C#m-major configuration.
The note arrangement in for such an Eb-minor chord twokey is:

BLOW  D# F# A# C  D  D# F# A# C  D  D# F#
Hole  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11 12
DRAW  F  G# A  B  C# F  G# A  B  C# F  G#

The range is from D#4 in hole 1 to G#6 in hole 12.  The 1-3 and 6-8 
blows are Eb-minor chords, and the 5-7 and 10-12 draws are C#-major 
chords.  With a range of 2.5 octaves, this instrument can play without 
bending both the F# and C# major scales as well as in Eb and Ab harmonic 
minor scales, and can play full chromatic scales with just two simple 
draw bends (for the E and G notes).
I just ordered one of these (with equal temperament) from Seydel.  To 
get it in any other key will require the work of a skilled harp retuner, 
of whom there are many in this group!
-Roger


> My priority for tunings on diatonic anyway:
> 1. Regular octave pattern, availability of 2 or 3 hole octave tongue block.
> 2. At least one key without bends/overbends
> 3. At least 2.5 octave per 10 holes.
> 4. No more than halftone bends.
> Thanks, Boris Plotnikov



--
Roger B. Myerson, Glen A. Lloyd Distinguished Service Professor
Department of Economics, University of Chicago
1126 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-834-9071, Fax: 773-702-8490
http://home.uchicago.edu/~rmyerson/