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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
@ Gnarly: PowerChromatic Tuning
@ Gnarly: PowerChromatic Tuning
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Brendan Power
205 posts
Apr 12, 2012
2:42 AM
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@ Gnarly:
I'm getting a little tired of you posting frequently and begrudgingly on various forums about how you called this tuning Magic Bop and had to reluctantly change the name when I pointed out I came up with it over 30 years ago, and have the recordings (and the original harps) to prove it from 1983:
http://www.brendan-power.com/Country%20Harmonica.htm
You've been doing it again in the "Whatever Happened to the PowerBender" thread, so I'd like to get it settled once and for all.
PowerChromatic is the double sixth tuning (blows and draws) that is found on holes 5-7 (or 6-8, depending where you're counting from) of the PowerBender, or holes 3-6 of Melody Maker. Pure PowerChromatic uses it all through the whole range, but the name refers to the 4 holes thus (using a version staring on C):
CD EF# GA AB
It can be started on any of those notes and still be the same tuning. I normally start my versions on the G or A notes, but Boris Plotnikov likes to start on the E.
It can be used on a diatonic (as on the 1983 album "Country Harmonica", see link above), or chromatic. I use it on both types on most of my harps. You can see the full chromatic version listed in Pat Missin's Altered States (Tunings 12.10):
http://www.patmissin.com/tunings/tunings.html
Yes, it was subsequently listed by Magic Dick as one of the many tunings he tried to claim in his ridiculous 1992 patent with Pierre Beauregard, and it is also part of the Lee Oskar Melody Maker tuning holes 3-6.
But my point is that both of those came at least 10 years AFTER my creation of the tuning. As I've said publicly before, if you or anyone else can prove another harp player used PowerChromatic before me, I'll gladly give up my naming rights. Until then, I'd appreciate it if you give credit where credit is due.
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Incidentally, in addition to the special tuning and 11 hole harps used, "Country Harmonica" also features the very first use of half-valved harps, and the first use of Blu-Tac for reversible retuning.
Check out the harp photos and clips if you're interested (click the link at top of this post).
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jim
1235 posts
Apr 12, 2012
4:13 AM
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And I personally think this is your best tuning
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Gnarly
202 posts
Apr 12, 2012
9:06 AM
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Hullo Brendan, sorry if I have offended, as I said many months possibly years ago when you first brought this to my attention, I mean no disrespect.
I was actually thinking of you last night before I dropped off to sleep and I think you can be proud of your accomplishments. Your tech work is as good as anybody and your playing gets standing ovations everywhere.
As for what I call it, I like IV6/V6--it's very clear--but I didn't invented it, as I said it was Little Al Price who suggested it to me and he called it the name that will not be repeated here.
If you have hard feelings, direct them toward him. I am feeling remarkably guilt free.
See you in Texas?
BTW, all the 12.xx tunings are missing from Tinus's site, and I can't conjure up a copy of Altered States, but, dude, I am not challenging you on anything, anywhere, so peace out.
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 9:13 AM
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Brendan Power
207 posts
Apr 12, 2012
6:27 PM
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Thanks Gnarly. Sorry if I jumped down your throat but you know how proprietary folks get when they feel something is their baby but it's being claimed by others. It's human to want to set the record straight, and I feel that's now done.
The main thing is that PowerChromatic is a good tuning and it's starting to get used more widely. I intend to write a book/CD on it too at some point.
Peace brother! See you at SPAH I hope :-) BP
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al
75 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:08 AM
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Hello chaps. Since i've been mentioned in this thread i thought i should just chip in. I did indeed put Gnarly on to that tuning a few years ago. But worth while mentioning i didnae come up with it. If memory serves me correctly i found it in Pat missins altered states document. I think as brendan rightly says under the Magic Dick entry. Bloody wish i had come up with it though. How and ever just thought i'd clear that wee bit up. A' the best Gnarly and Brendan.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/alprice
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Gnarly
208 posts
Apr 13, 2012
4:18 PM
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I am grateful to Al for volunteering the information, as I (like my friend Eugene Ivanov) find the tuning to be very useful.
I have developed my own tuning, so I understand how proud Brendan is.
And although my skills lie mostly with the guitar, I find that harp and guitar are an incredible combination, especially when you can change the tuning of the harp to accomodate the song.
So thanks to all!
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boris_plotnikov
719 posts
Apr 13, 2012
8:52 PM
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Brendan Power
I prefer Powerchromatic in C (no sharps and flats), but started from A (A/B C/D D/E F/G A/B C/D D/E F/G A/B C/D D/E F/G for 12 holes), but I think I'll need at least 2 more keys.. I even have two students who start practicing powerchromatic. Unfortunatly, I don't have enough time to constantly practice powerchromatic, so still don't use it live, although it's nice tuning.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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