RE: [Harp-L] Re: Chords

["Brendan Power" <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Winslow,

 

Itâs a moot point. I was referencing the root note in the two-note chords, the âhomeâ note, so the second note is based on the fifth of the scale related to that. For a C Richter harp, 4 blow is C and 3 blow is G, the fifth based on the C scale. Iâd use that double stop on a C chord, so the G, the 5the, is the secondary note.

 

However I can see your point: even though it is the fifth of the scale, its pitch is a fourth below the C if you count downwards. So that makes sense also. If thatâs the way these types of two note chords are usually described, thanks for pointing it out. 

 

Iâm a non-reader and my music theory is self-taught so, even though I generally know the substance of a musical issue, I probably get the terminology sometimes because I didnât learn in a formal way. Itâs good to get it corrected by those who know so thanks Winslow, fourths they are!

 

BP

 

 

 

From: Winslow Yerxa [mailto:winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: 13 July 2015 07:25
To: Brendan Power
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Chords

 

Hi, Brendan.

 

You refer to fifths but I think you mean fourths (1 and 2 draw, 3 and 4 blow).

 

Winslow

 

Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica <http://spah.org/> 
Producer, the Harmonica Collective <http://harmonicacollective.com/> 
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5 <http://www.amazon.com/Harmonica-Dummies-Winslow-Yerxa/dp/047033729X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392924635&sr=1-1&keywords=harmonica+for+dummies> 
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS <http://www.amazon.com/Dummies-HFDPK-Harmonica-Learners-Package/dp/B005KIYPFS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392924701&sr=1-1&keywords=harmonica+basics+for+dummies> 
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7 <http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Harmonica-Dummies-Winslow-Yerxa/dp/1118252691/ref=pd_bxgy_MI_img_y> 
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.com <http://bluesharmonica.com/> 

Instructor, J <http://jazzschool.com/> azzschool <http://cjc.edu/classes-for-adults/instrumental-courses/harmonica/>  Community Music School

 

  _____  

From: Brendan Power <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> ; harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>  
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2015 2:55 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Chords


Michelle wrote: 



"And that brings me to my question. I eschew playing chords on those 

Suzukis, though I love them in every other respect. That's because, to 

my ear, chords on an equal-tuned harp sound ah, well, annoyingly sour."



I'm assuming the Promasters you spoke of for Irish and fiddle tunes are
half-valved in Paddy Richter tuning, Michelle? 



It depends how many notes you feel you need to make a 'chord'. Thirds are
the issue, but chords don't necessarily need thirds to be effective. You can
get two very nice two-note chords in the bottom end on any 10 hole harp in
standard Richter or Paddy Richter, in whatever temperament. Hole 1 and 2
draw are in fifths, and should be tuned for a rich, stable double-stop sound
for a 'chord' based on the two draw - which could be major or minor.



In standard Richter holes 3 and 4 blow are also a fifth apart and give the
same effect for a two-note chord based on 4 blow, and in Paddy Richter I
always tune the 3 blow to give a nice rich fifths sound with 2 blow.
Depending on the context it can also be major or minor (normally minor in
the context of Irish music). 



I know these are not the same as full rich chords with thirds, but they do
give useful double-stop sounds that can substitute on equal tempered harps. 



Another possibility is to do selective bending when playing two notes
together. It takes a bit of practice but you can bend equal-tuned double
stops into a pleasing just resonance by bending one of the notes on a
sustained breath. For example, you could play the 4 and 5 blow together and
slightly valve-bend the 5 blow (the too-sharp third) down to give a rich
justified type of sound.



However I know these are only limited solutions, and your solution (to have
two sets of harps) is the only practical one if you want the benefits of
both just and tempered tuning.




No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> 
Version: 2015.0.6081 / Virus Database: 4392/10217 - Release Date: 07/12/15