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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Influence voice-pitch on harp-key-taste?
Influence voice-pitch on harp-key-taste?
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FreeWilly
132 posts
Apr 02, 2012
2:06 AM
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Here's an idea that I've had for a while. Why not put it to the test?
Hypothesis: the pitch of your voice determines your preference in harp-keys. Adam Gussow for example, likes his Db, and generally likes high harps. He has a rather high voice. Not unlike myself. I have a rather high voice, and the lowest harp I own is a G. If it wouldn't make mine (and my neighbours) ears bleed so much, I'd play an Eb a heck of a lot more :)
This might also have to do with the shape of your mouth (it trains the most speaking?), and the tenseness of your body. And both these must have an effect on your hearing, as your own speech must have an influence on the pitches your ears are sensitive to? I for one don't even notice when our bass-player goes for a piss, I ashamedly admit.
How does this little hypothesis hold up with you lot?
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tookatooka
2884 posts
Apr 02, 2012
7:18 AM
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I bought this subject up a while ago and I can't remember the outcome.
Anyway, I have a small mouth (according to my dentist) and I find that the key of D is the harp that I can be most expressive with. As I go lower, the more I need to accentuate my mouth, tongue, throat movements to get similar expression.
So my observation seems to be that we have a natural tendency to play the harp best when the key corresponds to the size of the oral cavity. High harp - small mouth, Low harp - BIG mouth. SBW loved the low keys. Did he have a big mouth? I would think so.
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Last Edited by on Apr 02, 2012 7:18 AM
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FreeWilly
137 posts
Apr 02, 2012
7:47 AM
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He had big nostrals, that's for sure ;)
Sorry to bring up something already discussed. Should have done a short history search.. oops.
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boris_plotnikov
717 posts
Apr 02, 2012
7:49 AM
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I don't like harps higher than C. My favorite key is Bb, but it depends on what tune and positon I play. I like mostly Bb and G and slightly dislike LF, A and D. I like F harp more than E and I don't know why as I have nice harmonicas in all keys.
I like to play LC, LD, LEb, but certain tunes and tricks.
My voice is from E2 to F4, it's baritono range but I have some high overtones (it seems that non-harmonic overtones too) in my voice and for some people it seems that my voice is rather high.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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nacoran
5481 posts
Apr 02, 2012
10:38 AM
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I don't think my playing preference is influenced by my vocal range, except of course on the songs where I'm the singer. Then it's pretty important. For all it's weaknesses, one vocal strength I have is good range. I can cover three octaves with a little work, so I can comfortably sing along with any key. None the less, I usually choose Bb. Bb fits my voice in a special notch where I can choose to comfortably sing the melody high or low and still have room on either side of the tonic for some flourishes.
I've got a low low F and a regular F#. They are both in the rotation. :)
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Nate
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