RE: [Harp-L] Ashokan Farewell

[Steve Shaw <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

It's tough. You have the tune going down into the uninhabited bottom end on a 10-hole diatonic (or a 364) as well as that pesky C natural that can't be got by bending. I use a D chrom if I'm needed to play the unadorned melody (a D chrom because that's what I have for occasional use in Irish tunes), but if someone else is playing the melody I can do a good bit of harmonising, which I can vary, on a D harp. You can, of course, play the "A" part without difficulty on a D diatonic, or you can harmonise it, so you have some options if you're with other melody players. You could try it on a valved diatonic or an XB40 but you have to be good at holding a longish bend in tune if you do. I find it's a tune that needs a fair bit of inventiveness from the band in order for it not to drag. It can sound nice on a chromatic, I think!
> I love Ashokan Farewell and am trying hard to nail every note using my D 364 but there are a few notes I cannot get.  I tried it in G, 2nd but that just didn't do it for me.  I will try it on my chromatics but I believe it just won't have that special sound this piece demands.  YouTube is scarce with harmonica playing this tune.  Does anyone have suggestions on how to master this tune without special tunings.  If special tunings are requires I may go so far as to go that route.  I really love the song.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Lockjaw Larry
> Breathing Music daily