Re: Re: [Harp-L] a question

[<ironmanmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I do - sort of.  If I *really* wanted (or felt I needed) this, I'd do the 
homework, diagram scales in every mode and key, and practice practice 
practice until I no longer needed to think about it.

I'm currently quite comfortable on my C diatonic (and anything within +/- 
1-1/2 semitones) in 1st thru 6th positions, and 12th.  If I have B and C (or 
C and Db) diatonics, I've pretty well got it covered melodically.

Are they all equal?  Depends on the application.  If you need 2nd position 
chord slaps, no.  Particularly demanding and intricate melodies and 
improvisations may be much easier in certain positions.  But for simple 
melodic lines and improvs, sure, why not?  Making all notes sound "close 
enough" is actually fairly easy, and I honestly believe that they can be 
made to sound functionally identical on partially valved or fully valved 
diatonic.

I don't speak for anyone else, but for me, the goal of all keys on a C harp 
is worthwhile.  First, I play three amplified instruments (racked diatonic, 
guitar, organ bass pedals) simultaneously, and I can't be rooting around for 
a new harp between every song.  Secondly, I have perfect pitch (no buig 
deal - it's just a different way to hear music), and after decades on my C, 
I find it disquieting to play 4 blow and hear something other than C. 
(Sure, I could get used to the different keys, but why mess up a perfectly 
inane project with logic? ;-)   Third (and I think this applies to others 
looking to break out of a rut), it forces (well, nudges) me to play 
differently.  And that's good.  Each position has unique "natural" patterns, 
chords, double stops, and such.

Interestingly, Charlie Musselwhite (one of my personal favorite harpers and 
blues artists) changes positions to vary style and feel, but he'll do this 
mid-song by changing harps.  Ironic, eh?

BTW - note my new page on MySpace.com  I have three tunes so far, and am 
working on a bio suitable for MySpace.  It's actually a cool site.  Lotsa 
very friendly folks (and careful, fellow old guys - some are WAYYY under 
18.)


-IronMan Mike Curtis
http://www.myspace.com/ironmancurtis
http://www.SouthlandBlues.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Harp-L] a question


> I think the distinction JR and Larry are trying to make is someone
> playing in ANY key on ANY harp, not in ANY key on ONE harp.  Tinus
> plays everything on a C harp.  I don't know Otavio's work that
> well.  I don't know too many people really trying to play any key on
> any diatonic harp.  I thought the original statement of this being a
> goal for people was overstated.  How many people really want to be
> able to play in any key on any harp?
>
> -tim
>
> Tim Moyer
> Working Man's Harps
> http://www.workingmansharps.com/
>
>
> Chris Michalek wrote:
> > Otavio Castro does it all on one harp. I must say he's rpetty damn
> > good at it.
> >
> > Appartenly Tinus is trying as well.
> >
> > ---- Original Message ----
> > From: IcemanLE@...
> > To: harp-l@...
> > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] a question
> > Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2006 16:20:45 EST
> >
> > > In a message dated 2/5/2006 10:54:28 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> > > dlmurray@... writes:
> > > Perhaps I'm all wrong, but I thought that people practiced playing
> > in every
> > > key on a harp as "practice". Don't these players who do this choose
> > which
> > > harp they will use based upon which one lets the song flow the way
> > they like
> > > for performance? Does anyone go to a gig with one diatonic harp?
> I'm
> > just
> > > wondering if anyone actually has such a goal, as opposed to a
> > > practice/ability goal?
> > > Yes yes yes. Good observations.
> > >
> > > I don't know of anyone that is trying to play songs in every key on
> > every
> > > harp and make it all equal. Unrealistic goal.
> > >
> > > The Iceman
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> > > Harp-L@...
> > > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>
> Chris Michalek
>
> www.michalekstrone.com
> CD Available
> http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michalekstrone
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
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>
> --- End forwarded message ---
>
>
>
>
>
>
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