[Harp-L] What do you call this tuning?

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Hale wrote:
<How would you name a 10-hole tuning, with a Natural Minor draw plate, and
<its complementary MAJOR blow plate?

If I understand correctly--e.g., if an example of this is a G minor draw plate with a C major blow plate--then this is a Dorian minor tuning.  2nd position is a dorian minor mode (in the example, G dorian)--flat 3rd, flat 7th, major 6th.  1st position is a mixolydian mode (in the example, C mixolydian)--major scale with flatted 7th.  3rd position is a natural (aeolian) minor mode--flat 3rd, flat 6th, flat 7th.

I've had a half-dozen of these in my kit for a few decades.  It's a very useful tuning for lots of stuff.  I play "Tequila" in 1st position with this tuning; in 1st position you have a major I chord (C) and flat 7 chord (Bb), great for vamping.  The hit from Flashdance, "Maniac," lays out very well in 3rd position, as does some of the stuff from the Police repertoire, because you have a bVI-bVII-i progression, one of Sting's favorite cadences, ready to roll.  My solo piece "Requiem" is performed on this tuning in 3rd position.  And in 2nd position, it rocks.

regards, Richard Hunter




   

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