Re: [Harp-L] flat keys

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Everyone keeps talking about get the flat keys in order to play with
someone else.  You seem to miss lloyd's original posting:

"Assuming no other instruments existed in the world, and acoustic harp only
remained,"

He is not asking why get a Bb harp when there are other instruments.  He
knows sometimes a guitarist wants to play in a key where a Bb harp is a
great choice.

He wants to know what is cool about Bb is you're playing by yourself.  Or
am I misreading the question, Llyod?
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 12:49 AM, Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> On Sep 6, 2014, at 9:02 PM, Lloyd Short <lloyd.arthur.short@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > what's the real motivation for getting a flat key harp. Assuming no other
> > instruments existed in the world, and acoustic harp only remained, why
> > should I choose Bb over A or Eb over D? is there a tone difference ? I
> know
> > I just gave examples of a key sharp, not flat, but you should get the
> point
> > of what I'm asking.
>
> This is far simpler than you might imagine. One key is not better than
> another. All choice relate to the key of the song you are playing. Mostly
> this is a function of some combination of the song writer's preferences,
> the kinds of instruments in the rhythm section, and the range of the
> vocalists. E.g., if you play with Jazz cats blowing saxes, you're more
> likely to find yourself playing in the flat keys. If you are playing blues
> with guitar players, you're more likely to find yourself playing in E, A,
> D, or G which are a bit easier to play on the guitar.
>
> Much depends on whether you are calling the tunes or or backing up someone
> else. The thing you want to avoid is not having the right harp for key of
> the song. The right key is the subject of a whole 'nother discussion which
> involves your personal facility and artistic preferences. There are guys
> out who can play all 12 keys with one harp. There are many who say so what
> and think that doing so is an inferior artistic choice. Do yourself a favor
> and get all 12 keys and have fun. :-)
>
> Bob Cohen
> Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
> w: bobjcohen.com
> t: #itsabobworld
>
>
>