S-harp
51 posts
Jul 05, 2012
1:35 AM
|
When tuning your harps, are you stretching the octaves, like for example tuning a piano?
I've searched for tuning charts using octave streching but haven't found any, only discussions in the subject.
Some thouhgts ...
Do you only stretch octaves within each harp with nr4 as zero or do you use the middle C-note as reference like à piano and increase/decrease the octave strech from there? In that case à D - harp should be à bit sharper and an A-harp flatter. Would this make plying harp with piano sound à bit sweater?
----------
The tone, the tone ... and the Tone
|
Baker
229 posts
Jul 05, 2012
5:11 AM
|
I bought a copy of Richard Sleigh's very useful book "How to turbo charge you harmonica" – http://rsleigh.com/turbocharge-your-harmonica/
In there (I think, I don't have it to hand) he talks about octave stretching. As far as I can remember it relative to the individual harmonica not the entire set.
|
7LimitJI
673 posts
Jul 05, 2012
6:19 AM
|
If you play octaves with stretched octave tuning, the note will beat.
If you only play single notes or chords it will work.
Have a look at Pat Missen's site as he talks about all sorts of tunings.
I tune the middle octave to 442-3 Hz (blow/draw as softly as you can)Then tune using octaves by ear from there.
You end up with bottom octave relatively sharp and the upper flatter.But the harp is nicely in tune with itself and with your own playing strength.
I tongue block/slap and play a lot of octaves.
----------
The Pentatonics Reverbnation
Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
Last Edited by on Jul 05, 2012 6:20 AM
|
dted
20 posts
Jul 05, 2012
8:08 AM
|
@ 7LimitJI
"You end up with bottom octave relatively sharp and the upper flatter."
Are you saying that Sleighs method is the opposite of stretching?
Last Edited by on Jul 05, 2012 8:13 AM
|
chromaticblues
1259 posts
Jul 05, 2012
8:26 AM
|
@dted No what 7limit said is right. It is the exact oppisite of what sharp is talking about.
@ SharpAlso if you do want to do this I would suggest tuning the first octave normal and tuning the next (middle) octave about 4 cents sharp. Then the top octave 4 cents sharper than the middle. Antyhing less than 4 cents won't be noticeable and above 5 cents it is very noteiceable! as in bad!
I have tuned harps that way and hated it, but tune to to my own version of JI. I also do much of the same stuff that 7Limit mentioned. It messes with octaves and I just didn't like it. If someone plays Equal tuning and plays pretty much single note style. I'm sure it would work fine for them!
I think it is something that could be done on a chromatic with good results.
|
barbequebob
1969 posts
Jul 05, 2012
10:17 AM
|
The deal on stretch tuning with a piano is that each octave away from middle C, the octave is tuned 2 cents sharper than at middle C, and it goes another 2 cents with every octave.
For example, you tune middle C at A440. Now the first octave higher OR lower than middle C is 2 cents sharper, then the following one is an additional 2 cents sharp, and then the one following that is an additional 2 cents sharp.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
chromaticblues
1260 posts
Jul 05, 2012
10:47 AM
|
Yes Bob is correct that is how a piano is tuned, but for practicle purposes you don't want the bottom octave of a diatonic flat. That's why I said start there and tune up from that octave.
Also Bob is right about the correct way to do it is 2 cents. Again for practicle purposes 2 cents is almost doing nothing. That's why I suggested 4 cents.
This is something you just have to experiment with.
I may be wrong! Those are just some thoughts I had about how someone else might be able to do it and the results be useful!
|
