Mensh
38 posts
Apr 25, 2016
4:19 PM
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Hello, harp-people.
If you're interested in slipping down this rabbit hole, just Google "432 hz."
Me, I would like to know where I can get custom harps tuned to 432 hz. Since I play guitar as well, I am fascinated with the idea of tuning both instruments this way... Can someone point me in the right direction?
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” – Nikola Tesla
Thank you -
Heath
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
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Killa_Hertz
1170 posts
Apr 25, 2016
4:53 PM
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It would be very simple to tune it low yourself, i think. That is pretty low. And ive never tried it myself. But if it is too low to simply remove metal, you could add material.
If you really wanna go Ham, im sure joe spierz or one of the other custom guys would do it for you.
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SuperBee
3641 posts
Apr 25, 2016
5:19 PM
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We've chased this one down 2 or 3 times over the years, it's complete twaddle.
But as far as tuning to 432, no big deal, get a sanding wand and get to work. Or wash your harps in coke or neat vinegar, that'll get you a bit closer before you start sanding. You can polish a reed down a whole tone no problem. This's only 40 cents or so lower than standard 442.
It is BS though, pure and organic
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1847
3402 posts
Apr 25, 2016
5:20 PM
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you could just use an Ab harp?
Ab is something like 415 hertz
since harmonicas are typically tuned about 12 cents sharp, puts you in the neighborhood.
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1847
3403 posts
Apr 25, 2016
5:23 PM
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of coarse you would want to play a Db in the key of Ab eh?
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indigo
248 posts
Apr 25, 2016
5:29 PM
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Use the 'blue tak' method,easy as and reversible.
(Use the forum search to find out the details)
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STME58
1663 posts
Apr 25, 2016
5:36 PM
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If you go all the way down to about 415Hz, you could just use a G# harp and call it A. :-) If you want to explore changing the pitch of A from 440 to 432 or any other frequency, the guitar would be a good choice of instrument to try it on. You might find a frequency that matches your voice better than any key in A 440 (especially if your range is limited) and if you did and you want to sing and play harp in that key it might make sense to have some harps tuned to it.
If you want to understand differences between modern and older music, I think you might find it more interesting to explore temperament. If you have not yet learned of the Pythagorean comma, look it up. It is like a joke played on us by nature! No matter how you try to deal with the comma, you cant make a perfect scale. Temperaments are the various ways people have tried to balance the flaws. Temperament has changed over time, as has the pitch of A, but because temperament is the ratio of pitches and does not require precise timekeeping to describe as Hz does, we have a historical record of how things were tuned. Before equal temperament, what key something was in would change the mood and feel of the piece because the chords would not just be higher or lower, but would consist if slightly different intervals depending on the key. Changing the temperament on a guitar would require some pretty elaborate fretwork. Changing the temperament in a piano is just a lot of work and is sometimes done. Changing the temperament on a harp is done all the time.
Last Edited by STME58 on Apr 25, 2016 5:37 PM
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arzajac
1765 posts
Apr 25, 2016
8:18 PM
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I get plenty of orders for harps tuned to 432. I just send off a set of three last month and I just got another order for one the other day.
STEM58 - You are right, the guitar is very well suited to experiment with this. Who knows? Perhaps some guitars resonate best at a frequency other than 440? Usually the folks who want harps tuned to 432 are guitarists who would like an instrument to match the tuning of their guitar. A few of my customers only play a few songs in a set on a different guitar tuned to 432.
I make the chords sound really nice so that they get the most out of the experience.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica Combs and Tools.
Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 25, 2016 8:20 PM
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Mensh
39 posts
Apr 26, 2016
3:12 AM
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Cheers to Andrew for answering my question!
Jeers to others for injecting their un-asked for opinions.
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
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Killa_Hertz
1177 posts
Apr 26, 2016
3:22 AM
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I think a few people helped answer your question actually.
I was going to mention blue tak aswell because then you could reverse this when you find out it sucks.
But .. whatever.
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SuperBee
3643 posts
Apr 26, 2016
6:01 AM
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I think it's only me who is being jeered. Unjustly I think, as I was responding to an invitation, by declining it.
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Mensh
40 posts
Apr 26, 2016
6:35 AM
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As a life-rule, I "jeer" anyone who is willing to type the word "twaddle."
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
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STME58
1665 posts
Apr 26, 2016
7:25 AM
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Something I leaned from Andrew that might be useful for experimenting with A332 is that Blu-Tack, a material used to mount posters to a wall, can be applied to the end of a harp reed to lower the pitch. It is a bit tricky to get the right size blob for the pitch you want but it can be done. It tends to stay put once pressed on firmly but it can be removed to raise the pitch back up.
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Killa_Hertz
1179 posts
Apr 26, 2016
7:27 AM
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LMAO!! Fair enough Mensh. Haha.
If you do get it ironed out, make a sound sample. Im interested in hearing what you end up doimg with it.
But seriously the blu Tak method is pretty good. What you do is basically add blu tak to your reeds and instead of removing metal from the reeds, you add blu tak to the opposite end. You add/remove blu tak as needed until you reach the desired tuning.
The advantage to this is that it is 100% reversible. And very easily reversible at that. So if you find out that the tuning is not all that or if you just want to modify it, you can do so. Because theres only so much metal you can remove before the harp is junk. But with the tak the possibilities are endless.
There are a few threads on here that go further into detail on the subject. You can find them by searching in the forum search.
Just Food For Thought.
EDIT ... STME Great minds think alike. LOL.
I mentioned adding material in my first post, but really didnt get into the specifics. I think this is the way I would go. I am curious how far down you can actually go using the blu tak. I want to try turning my G into a Low Eb. I know you can easily take it down to Low F, But Low Eb might be stretching it. Whats your thoughts?experience? Think itll work?
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Apr 26, 2016 7:30 AM
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Mensh
41 posts
Apr 26, 2016
7:34 AM
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I'll make a sound sample if I truly decide to go down this 432hz rabbit hole, which is deep as a motherfucker.
Interesting method, but I'm an "earth is flat" harp player - not willing to mess with the technical side lest the magic goes away...
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
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arzajac
1766 posts
Apr 26, 2016
8:29 AM
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As far as messing with the innards of a harmonica, applying blu-tak is the least invasive thing you can do. If you want to get your feet wet, that's a great first-time project. Applying BluTak is 100 per cent reversible, but mostly it's a project that involves tuning the harmonica with some precision.
Being able to tune a harmonica using your ears (along with a tuner) is a most valuable skill and this is the perfect exercise.
Also, if BluTak will have any unintended effect on the reed, I think it's more likely that it actually stabilizes the reed by attenuating unwanted vibrations (rather than causing the reed to respond as if it were bent out of shape). This can mean better tone and easier bending.
How far down can you tune a reed with BluTak? Perhaps up to five semitones before you run into trouble. Maybe a little less or a little more.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica Combs and Tools.
Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 26, 2016 8:30 AM
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FreeWilly
495 posts
Apr 26, 2016
8:38 AM
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Andrew, I wanted to thank you for the remark you made somewhere here about dynamic breath force and tuning. It has really made me click into waaaay better tuning skills. So thanks!
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Killa_Hertz
1180 posts
Apr 26, 2016
8:56 AM
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FreeWilly I think it might do you some good to read Andrews Website. Its Full of useful information for us "noobish tweakers". That didnt sound right. But you get the idea.
Good stuff on there. Particularly on the tuning page. Some of it is hard to find. However if you follow the links on the right side of the home page, thats where all the goodies are.
And This Page is Free Gold To Anyone New to Tweaking ( harmonicas that is.)
Andrew Zajac Videos and Harp Tweakin Info
MENSH .... I get that your hesitant to Tweak your own harps, but you really should consider it. It's almost silly not to at least learn how to do minimal things like Gapping. It will make your harps play better and easier. And in return make you a better player.
Again ... Just food for thought.
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Apr 26, 2016 9:00 AM
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Mensh
42 posts
Apr 26, 2016
9:02 AM
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I have a 7 year old and a 5 year old, Killa. I am hesitant to get out of bed in the morning.
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
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Killa_Hertz
1182 posts
Apr 26, 2016
10:05 AM
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Haha. Ok. Well whatever works then. Gapping is very easy. But i understand.
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FreeWilly
496 posts
Apr 26, 2016
1:08 PM
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Thanks for the tip!
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