[Harp-L] diminished tuning, speed and accuracy

[sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi All

I understand that this tuning is known as the diminished tuning for
diatonic harps:

Blow  C   Eb  Gb  A   C   Eb  Gb   A   C   Eb

Hole  1   2   3   4   5   6   7    8   9   10

Draw  D   F   Ab  B   D   F   Ab   B   D   F

So draw-blows alone will get you the rest of the chromatic scale. I know
nothing with respect to how quickly and cleanly a proficient bender can
play draw-bends. So I have some questions that relate to the utility of
this tuning.

My questions:

(1) If you actually play harps in diminished tuning would you tell me
the fastest tempo at which you can play clean sounding major scales (up
and down the scale in 8th notes)? If you don't play this tuning but you
are proficient with draw-bends then would you please venture a guess?

(2) At what tempo can you cleanly play (or guess you could play) a four
note diminished arpeggio (up and down the arpeggio in 8th notes) using
all draw bends. For the particular diminished layout given above the notes
would be C#, E, G and Bb.

Cheers!