Re: [Harp-L] country tuning songs -- Melody Maker

[Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Steve,
 
You will probably find certain songs that you will want to use the Melody Maker Tuning, and others that you will want to use a regular Major Richter tuned harp (especially blues songs).  Its a matter of seeing what songs lay out the best.
 
For example, I like playing some Christmas songs, like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on a MM harp, but will always play "Blue Christmas" on a regular Major harp.
 
You may want to 1st retune your C harp to SmoJo Country Tuning (raise the 5 and 9 draw up a semi-tone), and then use some Blu-Tack to lower the 3 blow note down a full-step.
 
Then you can always go back to the Country-Tuned version, which is very useful, and also works great for 5th position because of the altered 5 & 9 draw notes (try "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" starting on the 2 blow).
 
Or once you have a MM tuned harp, you can make use of the switching reed plates like many do with the Lee Oskar harps by swapping the top reed plate of a Melody Maker and a Major Richter to end up with a Paddy Richter harp (has the altered 3 blow top plate) and  SmoJo Country Tuned harp (has the altered 5/9 draw plate).  
 
Ken H in OH
 


________________________________
From: "steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 1:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] country tuning songs -- Melody Maker


I am going to retune one of my extra C harps to Melody maker so I can use it on some bluegrass and country songs where I need the specific melody notes.  But I reallly like those rich draw bends on 3 draw for a lot of country stuff, too... I wonder how difficult it will be for an old fart like me to adjust to having that A note on 3 blow?
Steve Webb in Minn.


>>> 
>>> On Oct 16, 2011, at 1:18 PM, philharpn@xxxxxxx wrote:
>>> 
>>>> With all the talk about country tuning (Draw 5 tuned up half step) or the double-country tuning with the F# added in two octaves:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> What about using the Lee Oskar Melody Maker tuning that not only adds two F#s to the C harp in cross position(G) but changes the Blow 3 to an A, eliminating the need to bend to get that A note?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>