Bobbo
25 posts
Dec 14, 2012
11:00 AM
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I know this isnt blues related but...Neil Young plays a song My My Hey Hey with his guitar tuned down a whole step. The song is in Am so down a whole step would be Gm right? He uses a Bb harp. If you play this song in standard tuning a C harp works. However, I've been tuning down a 1/2 step (easier to sing) and neither harp sounds right. Can someone please explain? Thanks
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Pistolcat
341 posts
Dec 14, 2012
11:52 AM
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Well if a Bb harp fits a whole step tuned-down version and c fits a standard tuning; one would assume that you need a B harp to a 1/2 step tuned down version. I haven't tried to play it but it seem that your playing fourth position? Tonic on six draw?
If you want to play in Abm but haven't got a B harp you can play a F# (or Gb) harp in third. (Not that a common harp for those of us without a full set either, though)
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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timeistight
951 posts
Dec 14, 2012
11:47 AM
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A minor version: C harp in 4th position
G minor version: Bb harp in 4th position
You're now playing it in Ab minor; use a B harp to play in 4th position.
Last Edited by on Dec 14, 2012 11:47 AM
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Bobbo
26 posts
Dec 14, 2012
11:51 AM
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thanks guys. dont know why i didnt see that.
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KC69
266 posts
Dec 14, 2012
4:41 PM
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Am I correct that to play in 4th your playing 1 1/2 steps above the key of the song using the 6 draw as the tonic ?
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
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timeistight
952 posts
Dec 14, 2012
5:18 PM
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Yes, in 4th position 6 draw is the tonic.
Another way to think of it is that you're playing in the key of the relative minor of the key of the harp.
Harp key 4th position key
-------- ----------------
C A
Db Bb
D B
Eb C
E C#
F D
F# D#
G E
Ab F
A F#
Bb G
B Ab
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KC69
267 posts
Dec 14, 2012
6:15 PM
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And I Thank You timeistight
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And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
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Bobbo
27 posts
Dec 14, 2012
7:46 PM
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Thanks again. I need to memorize the circle of 5ths
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