Re: [Harp-L] Donald Black tuning

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

On an A tremolo harmonica, he changes all the G# notes to G naturals. This gives him an A mixolydian scale in first position (same scale as on Highland pipes) and gives him a G draw chord (or G major 7th if you extend it, but that's not a chord you hear much in pipe music) to go with the A blow chord.

He does this on a double-sided Hohner Echo tremolo, so the other side of the harp is a standard D harmonica - which also gives the A mixolydian scale, but in second position, and gives you A7 (draw) and D (blow) chords.

He demonstrates it in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfNdjQlwxoo ;
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: Michael Snowden <mike.snowden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Donald Black tuning
 


According to Pat's site, the Highlander is a 1 semitone change of one reed only.  It's been too long since I saw Donald explain it to remember which is right!

Mike


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On Mon, Sep 16, 2013 18:01 BST Winslow Yerxa wrote:

>I think Donald calls it pipe tuning. He came up with it as a way of matching the scale on highland pipes (hence also the name that Hohner produces in this tuning, the Highlander).
>
>Winslow
> 
>Winslow Yerxa
>Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
>            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
>            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
>Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
>Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
>
>
>________________________________
> From: brian.irving <brian.irving@xxxxxxxxx>
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
>Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 7:49 AM
>Subject: [Harp-L] Donald Black tuning
> 
>
>Anyone know the name of the harp tuning used by Donald Black - 3 draw tuned
>down 2 semi-tones?   It makes gaelic airs easier to play.
>
>
>
>Brian