I've been trying my hand at old time recently, so I can appreciate the work this takes. Are you in 1st on an A, or 2nd on a D country tuned for the major 7th? The Boiled Buzzards covered this one on their Salt and Grease record, with Dave Rice on old time harp.
I hope old time is welcome here.
Last Edited by bluethird on Aug 13, 2016 8:04 AM
Bluethird, I'm definitely borrowing a lot from the Dave Rice version you mention. He's an excellent harp player!
I'm playing first position on a standard A harp, and switching to a D harp to achieve the G note in the third part. Vis a vis the A major scale, a G would be a... flatted seventh? My music theory knowledge is tenuous at best.
Would a D country-tuned harp played in 2nd position provide that note without switching harps? I've been curious to try one.
I have paddy richter harp that I use for a few tunes.
Yes, you can get both the natural and flatted 7th on a country tuned harp. Draw 5 is the natural 7th, and draw 5 bent is the flatted 7th. 2nd position can have a more soulful sound and works great for darker, more bluesy old time tunes, but you have to work hard to get the 2nd scale position (full step on draw 3). There's probably a paddy-country tuning that'll give an easy natural 7th and 2nd, but you might just as well be in first position then, I guess.
Dave Rice is great, isn't he? There aren't a lot of guys playing old-time harp, Dave Rice, Grant Dermody, Mark Graham and Richard Sleigh spring to mind, and Joe Filisko has some of that going on too.
Nice job! We need an old time forum around here.I'm currently taking lessons in old time harp in person from Dave.His Cd called Ned went a fishin is a must have Imo.Dave's a great guy and awesome fiddler as well.
I don't have Ned Went a Fishin yet-- on my list. His two albums with the Boiled Buzzards are available on CDBaby and they are great. Also love the Hoover Uprights' "Known for Their Reputation."
There's a younger guy, Seth Shumate, who's also an awesome player. He has a lot of videos on youtube and plays with the Ozark Highballers. Worth checking out!
You guys who are playing old-time: I won't presume to speak for the rest of the forum, but I'd love to hear some tunes you're working on.
