[Harp-L] Alternate Harmonica Spiral Tuning KNIRI 221

[Jeremy Uejio]

I've done some analysis of this tuning and it looks like it is great for
chords, but not as good as richter tuning for melodies. I have a list of
117 songs in my analysis and found that kniri tuning can only play 78 songs
(with bends, but no overblows). Richter tuning can play 106 songs, circular
can play 97, and of course 4-key can play all the songs.  I should qualify
that and say that those songs are possible to play on these tunings, but I
cannot play them all. :)   I haven't found my dream tuning yet which has a
good combination of melodies, chords, and consistency.  Kniri tuning might
be it, but, right now, I'm trying a hybrid bebop-four-key tuning:

blow: C, E, G, Bb, C, Eb, F, G, Bb, C
draw: D, F, A, B,   D,  E, Gb, A, B, D

My program for analysis is written in python and not ready for prime-time,
but if you have a tuning that you would like evaluated with the list of 117
songs (songs that I can roughly play by ear on the piano), please email me
and I would be happy to run that for you.  Also, if you have a song that
you want to play on a particular tuning and was wondering what keys you can
play it in, my program will also output that.  For example, for kniri
tuning (starting with A), you can play Amazing Grace in 5 different keys
(first letter is key, second letter is start note, and 3rd letter is ending
note):

Amazing Grace (D/A4/D5, F/C6/F6, C/G5/C6, Bb/F6/Bb6, G/D5/G5)

A more complicated song with 3 bent notes (F,Eb, and Gb) in Bb and starting
on F:

When You Wish Upon a Star (Bb/F5/Bb6/3-F5,Eb6,Gb6).

jeremy

On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 7:39 AM Kniri via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:

> Hello Spiral Tuning Friends
>
> Has anyone already used this tuning?
>
> *Alternate Harmonica Spiral Tuning **KNIRI 221 *
> The "diatonic-cyclic" tone arrangement *KNIRI 221* (invented 2001,
> published 2009), makes it possible
> to play identical melodies in several major and minor keys.
> On a 10 hole harmonica, this allows to play 5 different *mixolydian*
> *major* scales
> and 5 different *natural minor (aeolian)* scales, which are
> related/similar to the circle of 4ths (and 5ths).
> The tones have a regular spacing: 221.221.221.221 etc. 2=whole tone,
> 1=semitone.
> The nice thing about this is if you blow or draw any four notes right
> next to then it will always result
> in a *flat7th-chord* major, diminished or minor, depending where you are.
> This makes it very easy if you want to use the instrument to accompany
> someone and for improvisation.
>
> DEMO
> Improvisation ALL OF ME in C, with Special Spiral Tuning *KNIRI 221* in A
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdpcgcaqYAo
>
> 10 hole harmonicaconfigured by*SEYDEL
> <
> https://www.seydel1847.de/harp-configurator?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1xgEUCFU6DDRTD_pQm9A2hFkq0tbuVDfeBWs0U81ImbiNjEGnpBwFu12I_aem_Jv35KBtpxACbsJf1Kkv2sA
> >*
>
> *Kniri 221*(A)
>
> blow: A, C#', E', G', B', D'', F'', A'', C''', Eb'''
>
> draw: B, D', F#', A', C'', E'', G'', Bb'', D''', F'''
>
> per comparison:
>
> *Spiral/Circular *(A)
>
> blow: A, C#', E', G', B', D'', F#'', A'', C#''', E'''
>
> draw: B, D', F#', A', C#'', E'', G'', B'', D''', F#'''
>