[Harp-L] Harmonic minor harp - Imperial March and Force Theme

[William Lifford]

I agree that alternate-tuned harps are here to stay (and have been since I
started playing 28 years ago, at least), and while most people will never
venture down that path, there are many harmonicists that enjoy them and use
them quite musically.

I find that I click better with some alternate-tuned harmonicas more than
others, though.

The natural minor harmonica, it seems intuitive to me.  Sometimes for a
minor key tune I'll play third position, and sometimes I'll use a natural
minor harmonica.  It takes (at least for me) no effort to use it, the
minor-ness just happens.

Same thing with harmonic minor harmonicas.  I just seem to "get it" with
these harmonicas.  Something about the tuning speaks to me, I guess maybe
in a former life I was a gypsy :)   But I have so much fun playing with
these harmonic minor harmonicas.

Melody Maker, for me I just don't get.  I just don't seem to think in ways
that take advantage of it.  I don't find it intuitive (for me) at all.
Weird, huh?

And many of you have seen that I jive pretty well with the Lucky 13...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
https://www.youtube.com/embed/RBCq2zI0iXg" frameborder="0" gesture="media"
allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here's another clip in which I am using a natural minor harmonica for some
rhythm accompaniement...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
https://www.youtube.com/embed/jXk0Ka3_wa0" frameborder="0" gesture="media"
allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Bill


On Sun, Jan 7, 2018 at 3:44 PM, Richard Hunter <rhunter377 at xxxxx> wrote:

> Dennis Michael Montgomery wrote:
> <That was enjoyable. You have helped prove that there is a place for
> diatonics tuned to minor keys. <Good job.
>
> Um, are we still trying to "prove that there is a place for diatonics tuned
> to minor keys" (or any other key you care to name, including the really
> different ones like Brendan Powers's Powerbender/Powerdraw/Lucky
> 13/PowerWhatever/etc.)?
>
> So far as I'm concerned, the point was proved about 25 years ago when
> well-made Natural Minors and other non-standard tunings became available
> off the shelf..  Anybody who didn't get the memo then, that's all right.
> Just accept that there are people out there using harmonicas every day that
> aren't tuned to standard Richter, and let it go.  Or pick one up yourself
> and have some new fun.  Either way.
>
> In any case, I will give up my natural minor/dorian minor/country
> tuned/melody maker/Lucky 13/etc. harps when they pry my cold, hard lips off
> them.  Or off whichever one I happen to be playing when the world ends.
> Assuming there's anyone left at that time to do the prying.
>
> Regards, RIchard Hunter
> --
> Check out our 21st Century rock harmonica masterpiece "The Lucky One" at
> https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/richardhunter
>
> Author, "Jazz Harp" (Oak Publications, NYC)
> Latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
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>



-- 
*William Lifford, CP*
*American Board Certified Prosthetist*
*Progressive O&P, Inc.*
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