A440
122 posts
Jan 19, 2014
3:02 PM
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Just a quick poll: which harp do you use more often: Low F or High G ?
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cyclodan
51 posts
Jan 19, 2014
3:04 PM
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Low F.
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nacoran
7505 posts
Jan 19, 2014
3:05 PM
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I don't even have a high G. I almost never use my F# either. Low F is nice. I also like my LLF, but that's a different beast.
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Rarko
90 posts
Jan 19, 2014
3:14 PM
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is there high A...? just curious...
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A440
123 posts
Jan 19, 2014
3:28 PM
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@Rarko - yes, Seydel offers some models in High A. Never tried one.
I guess I use my HG and LF equally. The HG can be interesting on some songs, and I also use it when playing along with a trumpet player, an octave higher than the horn. The LF is nice for rhythm work and vamping. It is more subtle, since it does not cut through the mix as well.
Last Edited by A440 on Jan 19, 2014 3:31 PM
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groyster1
2509 posts
Jan 19, 2014
4:02 PM
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I have both...only use low F playing G minor in 3rd...I can see how high G could give you the volume to rise above....but these high&low keys are weird...they confuse me
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walterharp
1291 posts
Jan 19, 2014
5:17 PM
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Low F more for sure, but do use high G on one. We modulate Walking by Myself (like Gary Moore) up from C to D.. and that is where I use it. But pretty many songs are in second position from C, and I about split. Generally the softer ones with the low F and the louder faster ones with high F
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rbeetsme
1481 posts
Jan 19, 2014
5:33 PM
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I find myself playing with ukulele players often. A lot of tunes in C, so I use the low F a lot.
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TetonJohn
182 posts
Jan 19, 2014
6:39 PM
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HiG but not in blues situations much -- it works well in combos around a single mike (bluegrass, old-time country) -- cuts through the mix (2nd position). LoF when performing solo (can be close to mike) when the song works best with my vocals in C (Pallet on Your Floor, Lay My Burden Down are the ones I can think of right off the bat.)
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Jan 19, 2014 6:40 PM
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Todd Parrott
1179 posts
Jan 19, 2014
6:45 PM
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High G for me. I have some low F's but only use low F on slower country songs which call for a lower harp. Sometimes the higher keys are just too harsh for certain songs. Seydel even makes a model in a high C.... I forget the name of it, but it's their version of the Steve Baker Special. I tried it out at their table at one of the recent SPAH connventions.
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dougharps
517 posts
Jan 19, 2014
9:06 PM
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For regular speed songs, Low F about as often as High G, but maybe at most once during a gig.
For really fast songs in any genre, High G far more than Low F, but only once or twice a night for a song or two.
Low F has a great sound for slow stuff when used sparingly. High G lets you play really fast, but can get annoying due to the pitch.
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Doug S.
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Gnarly
883 posts
Jan 19, 2014
9:24 PM
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Low F--
A few years ago, I stopped carrying regular F in favor of Low F. Today, my gig kit (I have no regular gigs on short harp tho) has both, but no high G per se--although it has a harp I retuned that is sort of like a ten hole version of the SBS, here is a video featuring the tuning.
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didjcripey
679 posts
Jan 19, 2014
11:55 PM
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Can't stand my hi G; never play it.
Just bought low c and d cause I like my low f so much
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Lucky Lester
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Rubes
784 posts
Jan 20, 2014
2:50 AM
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Love my lo-F........seldom do my Hi-G..........
Mistakenly got an SBS in A for Xmas, I have a self customised one in C and LOVE IT!!!! But.....forgot that the extra notes are in the higher octave for this key where I was looking for a lower 14 holer in A!!! Damn!! Might have to sacrifice it for....'experimentation'!
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SuperBee
1623 posts
Jan 20, 2014
3:06 AM
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I like my Lo F (tbird), but I don't use it much. When I first got it I was upset to find I couldn't play it. I guess that slowed me down. I pick it up to practice with but I don't actually have any songs I favour it for.
I can play it now though, so I suppose I should find a use for it...most expensive harp I ever bought.
I never use my hi G, but that is because it is an piece of crap valved promaster. I bought 5 in a deal...guy told me they were new but had covers removed for use in another project....I'm just spewing I wasted dough buying covers for them. On close inspection I can see they've been messed with, some reeds have been damaged beyond my capacity to make them play. I don't like the cover shape anyway.
I shouldn't grumble about Suzuki harps; I only ever buy 'bargains' or budget models...except for a manji I bought full price...that was 'ok'...I guess...the others have been unsatisfactory...anyway...if I had a high g that played ok, I might use it...dammit, now I gotta go try to make this one work...what's to lose? Nothin' that's what there is to lose...
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Last Edited by SuperBee on Jan 20, 2014 3:07 AM
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boris_plotnikov
918 posts
Jan 20, 2014
3:29 AM
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Don't even have a HighG now, and almost never play regular 10 hole F, only Big Six in F. Also wish to get me Big Six in HighG.
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
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Frank
3712 posts
Jan 20, 2014
4:04 AM
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Here is a Low "E" harp...Low F# is cool too :)
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MP
3062 posts
Jan 20, 2014
11:23 AM
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I carry a low F MB 1896 I never use and groyster gave me two LO high Gs that live in a box under my bench.
Low F came in handy at a gig the other night with MBH mic and amp guy MojoKane. His low F was sticking so I loaned him mine that hasn't left my case in a year.
He used it to killer effect on a James Harmon tune and another tune I wasn't familiar with.
I really like regular F but if I don't feel like being shrill I use a Bb in 3rd for the key of C or play 1st pos. in C.
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dougharps
518 posts
Jan 20, 2014
12:49 PM
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@Frank
I like the Low F#, too, much more than the regular shrill F#. I usually use an F# harp when a guitar player has tuned down a half step, and the Low F# is more similar in sound to a G harp than the regular F#. I don't carry a regular high pitch F# in my main set anymore.
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Doug S.
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didjcripey
680 posts
Jan 20, 2014
1:02 PM
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Hey Superbee: is the low f the only low harp you got?
My first low haro was a low f promaster and I found it almost unplayable. I assumed it was because it was a low harp, but now I realise it was because it was a dud. I recently got a Seydel blues session in low d from Mandoharp (highly recommended as a dealer) and it is a pleasure to play.
The promaster cost me a hundred bucks, and I spent another forty (plus postage) on having it professionally gapped. Its playable now, but not as good as the blues session. The Blues sessions from Mandoharp cost me under fifty bucks.
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Last Edited by didjcripey on Jan 20, 2014 1:03 PM
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Frank
3714 posts
Jan 20, 2014
1:43 PM
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Amazon may have a good deal on the Low F# Marine Band Deluxe since its a odd key :)
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SuperBee
1625 posts
Jan 20, 2014
4:22 PM
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Didj, my low F is a tbird, and it's a beaut. I have a Lo Eb 1896 marine band too. I still struggle with bending the 1 hole on that, but I can get the 2 hole down a full step now. It's a big grip though.
I couldn't get the bends in the loF at first, but now I can play it well, I really like it. I feel like it helps keep me in shape.
My promaster is HiG, and it is a dud harp! All my promasters are dud!
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harmonicajoe
31 posts
Jan 20, 2014
4:54 PM
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Low F
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MP
3068 posts
Jan 21, 2014
10:30 AM
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I made a low F# out of a G SP/20/. Man, that was a LOT of work! 20 reeds all tuned down a 1/2 step. Once in a great while - like once a year- I play a song in G# so I use the harp in 3rd.
The only reason I used to own high pitched F# harps was because someone in the audience would ask for John Mayalls Room To Move. I recently acquired another high pitched F# harp. It's just sorta sitting there waiting for me to adjust and tune it.
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Last Edited by MP on Jan 21, 2014 10:57 AM
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1847
1466 posts
Jan 21, 2014
10:51 AM
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ok i am a little confused here, as i usually am LOL
you tuned a G harp up a half step and it is now a F#
man that is a lot of work
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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MP
3070 posts
Jan 21, 2014
10:56 AM
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No, I'm the one confused. I tuned it down a half step.
More coffee? :-)
I've edited it to read correctly now. If I were to tune it up to F# I'd run out of brass shaving those reeds. :-)
Kim Fields author of Harmonicas, Harps, and Heavy Breathers says reeds are one two hundredth of an inch thick on average.
PS. I think I'd better lay off posting till I'm fully awake. That is the second huge chunk of misinformation I've posted in three days.
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Last Edited by MP on Jan 21, 2014 11:12 AM
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Gnarly
885 posts
Jan 21, 2014
11:55 AM
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Who wants to try my High G inversion?
Holes 3-10 are just like high G 1-8.
Draw 1, 2, and 3 are a D chord D F# A.
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