Re: [Harp-L] Scottish/Irish tunes

[Rick Epping <rickepping@xxxxxxxxx>]

The harps I mostly use for Irish and Old-Time sessions are in two tunings:
standard Richter and with the 2&3 draw notes lowered 2 semitones each.  The
standard tuning played in 1st and 2nd position, the altered tuning in 1st
and 3rd position.  I like this particular altered tuning because it
increases the available octaves and preserves the tonic chord inversions in
1st position and increases them in 3rd position - good for vamping and
octave stylings. I'll sometimes use country-tuned short harps for slow airs
or song accompaniment.  Mixolydian tunings are also useful.  Depending on
the loudness of the session, I'll use my octave harp conversions, XB-40s or
short harps, valved or unvalved.  The keys are mostly G, low D, A and low
C,  and occasionally a low F altered tuning for the odd Gmin tune.  And you
might consider the jaw harp, or trump.  My favorite trump is the Szilagyi
Black Fire.
Rick

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>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 12:40:53 -0000
> From: "brian.irving" <brian.irving@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Scottish/Irish tunes
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <45A96132BC1C4AD597AFB363C9729E6A@nc4200>
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>
> A question for all you trad Celtic musicians!  Which are the commonest keys
> for Scottish/Irish traditional tunes?  So far, from my limited collection
> of
> recorded tunes I've identified D and A with some in C.  So harps in A, C
> and
> D would cover them.  Any other harps essential for a gig bag for celtic
> jams/open mics?
>
>