I think most of the major manufacturers stop at a high G but Seydel goes not just to a high G, but an Ab, A and a Bb Does anyone use those higher Seydel harps for any blues numbers?
I've got a Lee Oskar high G and have never had a call to use it. My F harp is the highest regular key I ever use.
High G (like the standard F harp) is useful for playing second position in D (or C on the F harp) for fast bluegrass, rock, or blues when you are shredding and need fast reed response, and also when you want to cut through the mix. I might use my High G once or twice a night at most. I would usually not pick it for a slow song. Currently my High G is as high as I have and use.
I carry regular F, F#, and G harps as well as Low F, Low F#, and High G harps. I choose which pitch of that key harp to use based on the song. I sometimes will start a song comping on the lower pitched harp and during my solo switch to the higher pitched harp if transitioning to fast playing fits the song. For me, F and G harps are the keys when I may pick high or low harps depending on the song.
I don't have High Ab or High A harps, though they would be worth considering.
I do have Low C, Low D, and Low E harps that I use occasionally when it fits the song, but not usually. Presently Low C is difficult for me to bend on the 2 and 3 draw. I tend to choose the Low D mainly for key of Em songs I do in 3rd because of the more mellow second and third octaves on the Low D than in the regular D. ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Oct 14, 2018 12:59 PM
F. I own a HiG but I can’t recall ever using it. I use the F up to 3 times on a gig. I used to play it more but migrated a few songs from C to G. Generally I’ll use standard F to play 2nd position. I don’t play LoF much in 2nd. I don’t play a G very often in 2nd either. I expect I’d feel much the same about HiG as F if I had call to play much 2nd in D.
i use a 'high G' for the same reason as Iceman " to cut through the mix"
IF I know the guys Im playing with,I'll ask em to come down if they want me to take a lead---but even then they are usually to loud to use a regular G
I think a high G is useful to have for sitting in---so u can hear it u can't blow to hard or they'll jam up---I wouldn't mind trying a High A again to cut thru the mix---I guess u really have to play soft with a High A
Last Edited by snowman on Oct 14, 2018 8:33 PM
High A's have been around for decades as both special orders as well as production line models. I bought the now discontinued Hohner Piccolo/Vest Pocket Model in the 80's in High G and High A and they're fun for doing SBWII stuff on and the "look ma, no hands" trick. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
I have an F and an F#, but in practice, since I have a low F (and a LLF) and you don't need F# that often most of the time I only go as high as E, and my D harp is the first of my harps that I'm liable to have in my pocket if I'm just out and about walking around town.
The highest I use when playing out is F. I have used F# once I think. I made a video a few years back using my high G when I was listening a lot to the Soul Brothers from South Africa.
Well, the top notes of the higher tuned harps aren't much use to me, but I have a few hybrid harps that are "high" G and A--here's the chart for the G. B E G B D G B D G B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 D F# A D F# A C E F# A
Those High A models from Seydel look nice with the thin combs for a smaller embouchure - it makes sense in theory. Can anyone comment on them?
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Oct 16, 2018 7:30 AM
I suggest to my students that they buy a High G harmonica and practice all their different bend/TB techniques on it - not so much because they will actually use this harmonica in performance, but more so they can refine and strengthen the depth of these techniques.
I remember back in the early 90's wowing Joe Filisko in his basement when I played "Whammer Jammer" on a High G - even that 10 hole exhale bend!
J. Giels meets Alvin and the Chipmunks! ---------- The Iceman
I use the High "G" quite often when Speed is needed in 2nd position, playing in "D." Greg Jones made me a Seydel custom, hybrid, or optimized, which ever you want to call it, so it is not quite as high pitched. ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Oct 17, 2018 11:52 AM
Seldom use my High G, A and Ab. To my knowledge, only Seydel is making the High Ab and A. Tend to lean more to the lower register, especially with F and F#. All depends on the song. Keep a LG and LLF in my case, but don't use them very often. More inclined to use 6-10 on the lower registers and drop down or go up an octave at the break. But then, I'm only entertaining myself, so it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks...besides, no one is listening to me in my woodshed. (Garage studio)
If you are doubting its potential, check out Lee Oskar's playing. You can also jam out to a fair amount of Freddie King in 2nd position. ---------- Mike My Website My Harmonica Effects Blog
