[Harp-L] Hohner Tremolo Tuning - What should I try to tune the Intervals?

[Rick Epping]

Hi Mark,

The only Auto-Valve Harps I'm familiar with are octave tuned, not tremolo
tuned.  The bottom reedplate is tuned an octave higher than the top
reedplate, and the instrument is tuned to Just Intonation.  The reeds are
tuned so that there is no beating, or tremolo sound, when played.

If your harmonica really is a tremolo harmonica, the standard tremolo
tuning Hohner uses tunes the lower pitched set of reeds to concert tuning
(A-440, A-442 or whatever you choose).  For the higher, tremolo row, Middle
C is tuned 22 1/3 cents sharp of the concert tuned Middle C.  Then, for
every semitone higher, the tremolo tuning is reduced by 1/3 cents, so that
C# above Middle C is tuned 22 cents sharp, D above Middle C is tuned 21 2/3
cents sharp, C one octave above middle C is tuned 18 1/3 cents sharp, etc.
Likewise, for every semitone lower than Middle C, the tremolo tuning is
increased by 1/3 cents, so that B below Middle C is tuned 22 2/3 cents
sharp, Bb below Middle C is tuned 23 cents sharp, etc.

With this system the speed of tremolo increases as the scale ascends, but
not as drastically as it would if it were tuned, say, A-440 & A-445.

Best regards,
Rick

> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2018 16:20:31 -0500
> From: mark stafford <birdstafford at xxxxx>
> To: harp-l at xxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Hohner Tremolo Tuning - What should I try to tune
>         the Intervals?
> Message-ID: <A71C0168-244A-4F35-B86B-A4B443D1E4C5 at xxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=utf-8
>
> Help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
>
> Having fun trying to restore a 10 hole Hohner Auto-Valve Harp (pre war)
> and I am not sure what I should tune to for the intervals?
>
> Example, should the lower tuning be A440 and the upper A445? Something
> like that? Couldn?t find any info online.
>
> Kind regards,
> Mark Stafford
> birdstafford at xxxxx
> http://www.markbirdstafford.com
> TDSB www.learn4life.ca - Harmonica Lessons
>
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> End of Harp-L Digest, Vol 173, Issue 1
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