shaneboylan
80 posts
Feb 15, 2009
12:09 PM
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I've had my earliest of harps for the best part of 2 years - and haven't really tuned them much since then apart from correcting the odd note. I'm thinking of checking them all with a chrom. tuner to make sure that they're up to scratch.
However - I'm aware that certain holes are tuned differently i.e. they're not simply tuned like guitar strings where you get the note up to concert pitch.
If I'm checking the tuning - is it OK to just tune all reeds to the perfect pitch according to the tuner?
Or perhaps even better - is there an online resource for harp tuning?
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oldwailer
507 posts
Feb 15, 2009
2:49 PM
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This page isn't the whole story, but I think it can hook you up pretty well.
http://ohw.se/hca/tuning02.php
Also check out the discussions on the harmonicaspace.com board--there have been several just lately and a guy there named BBQ Bob is a real guru on this subject. . .
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Tryharp
86 posts
Feb 15, 2009
6:48 PM
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Heres another page that might help.
http://www.harmonicasessions.com/feb04/h-workbench.html
It depends on the harmonica, what the tuning is.
This one has an easy table for LO's and SP20 and MBs. Dont just tune it to 440 like you propose you will stuff it up and it will sound terrible ( that was my first tuning experience ) Also you may need to calibrate the tuner to 443Hz or higher for some harps.
I dont find tuning very easy, you need a tuner with accurate measurements in cents ( I got a cheapish Korg CA-30 ) which I'm pretty happy with, but then when you go to tune particularly the draw notes that accurately you find small adjustments in your embochure make the pitch waver a fair bit - its not easy in my opinion.
Good luck
Tryharp
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oldwailer
509 posts
Feb 15, 2009
9:14 PM
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Tryharp, You might want to check out the computer program Chromatia --it is mentioned on this page:
http://ohw.se/hca/tuning03.php
The cool thing about a software tuner is that you can load files into it that make a custom scale--that way you just tune to 0 on each reed--and it comes out to be a 19-limit JI--or whatever you specify. If you want to tune to 443--you just set it that way and it is taken care of.
Worth checking--I really like it because it removes all the math from tuning--you just move on through the reeds and tune to 0. Of course--it still ain't easy--but easier than figuring out how many cents sharp or flat each reed should be. . .
It is also quite cheap--free trial--then something around $25 to register. . .
Last Edited by on Feb 15, 2009 9:17 PM
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