Re: [Harp-L] the flat third

[michael rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

It sounds like you are suggesting doing this for cross harp playing.
You call the 6th degree during the I chord and the 2nd degree during
the V chord an avoid note because it is not in the pentatonic scale.
I am assuming you are referring to the minor pentatonic scale of 1 3b
4 5 7b8.  You are right that the note is note in the scale, but that
does not mean it is to be avoided.  If you only played minor
pentatonic scale tones things might get boring.  A 6th during the one
chord and a 2 during the V chord can sound great.  Why retune it lower
when it can be bent to get the lower note?  Go ahead and try your idea
and tell us how it turns out, but my instinct says it will limit you
more than help you.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On 2/2/10, hazcon <hazcon@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Just wondering here; why wouldn't you ,if you were setting up a Harp to play
> straight Blues only,  retune the 8 blow a 1/2 step down to give a permanent
> flat note.
>        (I know that you wouldn't really tune it a whole 1/2 step to get the
> correct blue note)
> I can't see any real disadvantages and a few advantages.
> Its not a note that is crucial on any of the chords in the 1 1V V ie it is
> the 6th on the 1, the 3rd on the 1V and the 2nd on the V.So it is actually a
> note to 'avoid' on the 1 and V during a blues as such.(pentatonic scale)
>         And on the 1V it sounds better slightly flat.
> I don't want to put words into his mouth but I'm pretty sure that Brendan
> Power  used to do this to his harps .
>          Any thoughts?
> Rick
> in NZ
>
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