Im thinking about exploring the world of Low harps. Ive finally got to grips with my G harp and im loving it. I bought it about 2 years ago but didnt really bother with it as i could'nt really play it(major problems bending notes).2 years on and im a much better player. (This has come about from listening to a french band called Teddy Costa on Myspace, you can really hear some great low harp on some of their tracks, especially The Cat.)
I want to start exploring lower key harps but not sure what to start with. Can anyone recomend a low key to start with?
I was thinking of a low F or a low D?
If anyones got any preferences i'd love to hear about them.
I was lucky to find a Low F MB at the shop where I buy all my harps, and I love the sound of it. Tongue-blocking on the lowest holes gives great results.
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2009 1:35 PM
Maybe it depends on the tuning you want: LO, equal temperement; Hohner and Seydel, more traditional.
For a really great vid with a low harp, have a look at this from Paul Lamb:
That's the Hohner route. Seydel can offer you a similar thing with their Session or Soloist Pro models. ---------- 'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
http://www.youtube.com/user/SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2009 4:09 PM
I've had a low Eb MB Special 20 for a few months that I've enjoyed, and just got a low F delta frost last week that I'm just checking out--but the 1 draw on both ratles against the covers! So do some research and find something that doesn't rattle, I think it's fairly common.
I read a Pat Missin review about the Seydel Sessions. Apparently, the covers have quite a lot of clearance. Also, I've got a G and low D SPL20. I've not encountered the bloody annoying 1 draw reed rattle with those harps yet.
P.S. Ant, Could you fellas at Harpfriends make me a friend so that I can send messages. I was trying to e-mail you about my response with tab to that Key To The Highway vid I'm putting up, but YT blocks it. I've got the password, but wouldn't dream of using it in that way. My YT handle is below. Thanks. ---------- 'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
http://www.youtube.com/user/SlimHarpMick
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2009 4:21 PM
I've got low C, D, E & F. All Hohner Marine Bands except the low D which is a Sp20.
Currently getting most use out of low D. Latest Charlie Musselwhite CD 'Delta Hardware' has a few tracks on which he uses a low D.
Am doing a course which involves learning Bluegrass & Irish fiddle tunes using G & D harps. Was having trouble with holes 9 & 10 fast playing on a normal D so switched to Low D which I find more manageable. I prefer the sound ie not as shrill like a tin whistle!
I've got two low C MB's--a couple of low F's--and a low D Special 20. The low D is my favorite of the lot--low enough to have the real character of a low harp, yet loud enough to get heard and not impossible to bend.
Last open mic I played--last Wednesday, I did a chugging low head for a tune on a D--then switched to a regular D for the body--that change in sound sure does turn some heads in the audience!
I'll have a low G in a few days--never tried one of those before. . .
Low C is about as low as you go and still have some volume and ability to bend. Double Low F is something you'd play when the kids are asleep. I can bend the notes on a Low Bb, but it ain't easy.
What the Low ones, like Low F - Low B are good for is up high. The overdraws are easy and you have incredible control over the blow bends since there is so much less nuance involved. It feels a lot like a draw bend does on a standard key harp. You do get some volume up there.
Low E is about right for me. I've got a Low E Marine Band that I like very well. I've got a Low F# Seydel Solist that plays oh so smooth. I tuned it down from a G. You take a harp and flatten it like that, it plays smooth as Sunday morning, much better than the same harp in that lower key.
The key to lower harps and the ability to bend is the mate between the comb and reedplate. You want no leakage whatsoever. It's the difference between a smooth bend and one you have to force. That Low E Marine Band was pretty hard to play at first. I put an American chestnut comb on it, which was flatter. I never did get around to embossing the thing, I'm actually pretty happy with where it is now. I've got a Low C 365 that's gonna be the next candidate for something. If you can get those Low key combs flat, it can make a bigger difference than embossing sometimes and really brings them to life.
You can get the Seydels, by the way, in equal temperment, Just or compromise.
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2009 10:28 PM
Thanks for the advice guy's. I think im gonna go with a low D and maybe a low F.
Mickil, i will add you as a friend on Harpfriends when i get home tonight. E-Mail me at fiendant@yahoo.co.uk if you want the login id and password to upload some of your videos.
"...and i did replace the LLF with a LF reedplate."-EddyLizard2
So here is a weird question, what if you have reed plates from different octaves in the same harp? Can you still bend notes? It might be an interesting way to jump around octave+ leaps.
Low D MB requires a lot more technique for it to be more than just a chugging accompaniment, albeit with a beautiful tone. I can just about bend its 2 draw down a tone, but it's still a little bit sharp, i.e. I'm not quite getting there. I don't play it that much, though.
I just picked up a Special 20 Low D, it sounds pretty cool. So far just doing the basic chugging and train whistles.
I picked it up to try and play "Orange Dude Blues" I like the video posted above, going to look for more videos on YouTube for low harps to get some ideas.
sbwII- Rice Miller- used a hohner 364 in G to good effect using the low 4 notes. i work some with the 364 in C and there are some awesome notes there.
yesterday i got a low D big river so my adventure is about to move forward. i got it for slower 3rd position stuff.
i have had a hering C baritono chromatic for a few years now and the bottom end of that harp in 3rd is pretty amazing, but the volume level is very low. i either use it solo or in the duo, and amped whenever possible.
i have used a low F for a couple or 3 years now and it's excellent for 3rd as well.
the reed rattle on the bottom end is sort of universal unless the maker builds in extra clearance. my solution has been to play with less force. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
