Re: [Harp-L] flat keys

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Every "key" has its own individual "color". 


I find Bb to be "darker" than "B" for instance.



-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Sep 8, 2014 8:44 am
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] flat keys


Your right Michael and that would be an individual choice of course....I would 
chose Bb
A or G, while orbiting earth in a one man capsule.
I would not chose C,E,F,B
That's what the conversation with Wiggins was about.

Mike Wilbur

> On Sep 8, 2014, at 7:41 AM, Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> 
wrote:
> 
> 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
>> 
>> 
>>