Re: [Harp-L] mixing brands

[pdxharpdog@xxxxxxxxxxx]

I have 3 different harp brands and 8 different harp models in my gigging case. I like the 'general' characteristics (ie; bright, tough, mellow, tuning schemes) of certain ones for specific songs in our catalog. Having all of these different harps also helps me pick out the correct harp in the heat of the battle and in the relative low light conditions at gigs. 

Using a football analogy, my band's style is to not have a specific play list, and call audibles at the line of scrimmage so to speak - or if we do have a set list, it's never in any specific order. We go rapid fire song to song, so often I have no idea what's coming next. We do this to read the defense (audience) and call the song that we think will help us score. 

I have several back ups for the keys I play a lot of tunes in and before a gig I play them off against each other and select the starting lineup for the show based on how I feel they are responding to playability and tuning. 

In my gig case I currently have: 

Hohner: SP20 
MB Crossover 

Suzuki - Manji 
Harpmaster 
Bluesmaster 
Firebreath 

Seydel - 1847 
Session steel 

Ross Macdonald 
www.sassparillapdx.com 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Axt" <dapperdan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: "Robert Hale" <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "harp-L list" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 5:11:13 AM 
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] mixing brands 

I used to be totally Lee Oskar, but over time I've included Hohner Pro Harps 
and Golden Melodys. I have a Seydel, but only because I could afford just 
one. Dan Axt 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Hale" <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: "harp-L list" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 1:59 AM 
Subject: [Harp-L] mixing brands 


> Some on the list refer to using several brands of diatonic harps. 
> 
> I found much better consistency in my playing after unifying my kit to one 
> make-and-model. (example: bending technique would be over-kill on one 
> brand, 
> and not enough on another) 
> 
> I'd like to hear your experience, pro and con, for mixing harp brands in 
> your diatonic kit. 
> 
> Stay well 
> Play well 
> 
> Robert Hale is the DUKE of WAIL 
> Distance Learning via Webcam 
> http://www.dukeofwail.com 
> Gilbert AZ (Phoenix) 
> 
> 
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