norrin_radd
16 posts
Jun 28, 2012
7:07 AM
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This is probably a stupid question, just chalk it up to another newb.
My stupid question is do low keyed harps sound good in songs that typically have a normal keyed harp in them?
For instance, sometimes I have a chance to sit in with a guitar and fiddle player that play mainly country. They are cool and will play some more bluesier slower stuff like "Milk Cow Blues" in "A" so I can tool along with a D in cross harp. If I were to bust up in there with a LOW D would that be acceptable/sound good?
I have a low F but only use for solo chugging or "Bye Bye Bird" type stuff.
Im contemplating getting a new harp is why I ask.
thanks putting up with my ignorance.
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2012 7:07 AM
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HarpNinja
2540 posts
Jun 28, 2012
7:30 AM
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I use a lot of low harps...a lot. I find that they sound best in low volume situations or solo. Below low F and they start to get buried in the mix pretty quick.
However, guys like Dennis Gruenling have shown that if you amp up a low harp you can make some great sounds with a band!
So...if you need to cut through acoustic instruments, etc, and standard key will work better. If you want you want to play more rhythmically, or have the amplification to eq for a low harp, you'll be solid. They sound great with disciplined blues bands!
I think everyone should have low harps down to low D. You can find solid ones cheap - like Big Rivers and Special 20's. They help a lot with practicing tones and bending, and they give you flexibility when playing with a band.
FWIW...I use low harps for the rhythm parts of all my solo tunes. I rarely use a regular A or G even. If I take a lead, though, I always move to a standard harp for the presence and easier bending.
My lowest harp is LLF. I use it for two tunes and can't really bend on it. I have a LLF# that is valved, but the LLF plays better still. Low A and Low G are my favorite, but Low F, Eb, E, and D are the most useful.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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MN
154 posts
Jun 28, 2012
8:48 AM
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I'm not a huge fan of low harps, but I do like playing 3rd position with my low F. Someday I need to invest in some more, lower than that.
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A440
4 posts
Jun 28, 2012
9:01 AM
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I use a low F and a low D from time to time in blues songs, but definitely don't play the same thing, or in the same way. It's more for rhythm and chugging, rather than wailing. I'll do it when our bass player can't make a gig, or if I'm just bored with the song and want to challenge myself to invent something different. It's more subtle and does not alway cut through the mix, but then that's part of the fun. Experiment!
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barbequebob
1960 posts
Jun 28, 2012
10:18 AM
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I have a blast using Low F's and Low Eb's, especially when playing jump blues because the stock ones in those keys are just too shrill to pull off a more sax like approach. If you're playing amplified, run the bass somewhat lower than you normally would (on my real '59 Bassman, I rarely set the bass beyond 7) because with these harps, if you run the bass high with a crystal mic like a JT30, it'll feedback quick, and you also need to develop a larger inside mouth shape to make note bending much easier, and don't try to play too hard.
In addition to playing more sax like with these harps in a jump blues sitaution, I often throw in jump oriented guitar lines ala T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton, Bill Jennings, and Tiny Grimes as well.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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surrealIdeal
33 posts
Jun 28, 2012
11:54 AM
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I've used a low C during a gig, amplified. No problem if you know what to play.
Always keep in mind that you can't 'attack' the instrument like you can with normal harmonicas.
Last Edited by on Jun 28, 2012 11:54 AM
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MP
2322 posts
Jun 28, 2012
12:11 PM
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well, the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked, as the saying goes...
i've played tons of country. if it is a bluegrass tune that is fast then you'll want higher key harps because it is easier to play fast on them.
there will be tunes where a full sounding low key harp
will lend a nice chordal sound.
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name for info-
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bloozefish
28 posts
Jun 28, 2012
12:13 PM
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I love using my low Eb when sitting in w/ bands that have a horn section, or if I just want my harp to sound like a horn, but as mentioned, the amp has to do the heavy lifting needed to get the sound out front.
james
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boris_plotnikov
733 posts
Jun 28, 2012
1:31 PM
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I like low harps. I use them down to low Bb (I retuned LowC).
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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norrin_radd
17 posts
Jun 28, 2012
3:25 PM
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I think I will go ahead and get a low D next just to experiment with like suggested. I have Big River in D, its playable but I dont really like it anymore. I'm trying to go to all Seydels or Suzuki's eventually.
Thanks for the replies.
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BronzeWailer
664 posts
Jun 28, 2012
4:04 PM
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Low D is good. I got one about a month ago. Been using it on some of the songs I busk with (solo and partner). SOunds pretty good, moody. ALso us eit for rhythmy things
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MakaInOz
63 posts
Jul 02, 2012
8:25 PM
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I only go to a LoF and find that gets lost in anything loud acoustic (like playing with 5 other harpers and 15 Ukuleles!) without amplification. I've got a bass harp that goes much lower, but its 'blow only' and still needs amplification - and I have to use a mic on a stand because the bass harp is too big to use with a hand held mic.
Best solution I've found to go way low is an octaver. My RP350 can go down two octaves and I can use 'normal' diatonics. Usual note pattern so nothing new to learn, hand held mic and makes a great 'tuba' sound.
Cheers
Maka
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mandowhacker
168 posts
Jul 04, 2012
8:01 PM
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I had a Manji F. I didn't like it, not the harp--the key. Too high. I got a Quicksilver LoF from Mike. I love it...the Lo key works for me, in F. I don't have one but suspect that a LoD might be a bit too low. Although a regular "D" is as high as I care to go.
Greg
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
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Miles Dewar
1310 posts
Jul 05, 2012
7:46 AM
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@MP, "well, the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked, as the saying goes..."
I disagree:
"If the god particle is confirmed does that mean that there are life on other planets ?"
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little onion
45 posts
Jul 05, 2012
10:07 AM
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low D is not too low!!! i have a low C too that i play a lot. i have a seydel and a dannecker optimus (which is scary heavy and has a rich tone and beautiful sustain. his optimus are not cheap but are astonishing, especially in low keys. also for me because i play a lot of 1st position upper register they are not so shrill... but 2nd and 3rd are awesome too on the very low tunings as long as they are wll enough made. i am truly in awe of tony dannecker's products.
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walterharp
897 posts
Jul 05, 2012
10:14 AM
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I have a low E that I use with my lone wolf octave (octave down) pedal cranked, I do low chords as an intro and they rattle the windows..
otherwise, low F is the most common, and yeah, the band needs to be able to turn down some, as they do not cut as well has higher harps.
It is also easy to use mouth pressure changes to sound notes on those low harps.. kind of like the thing that Popper does to make his quick runs, but in this case it works better for chugged chords.
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