soles60
3 posts
Mar 23, 2010
10:37 AM
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curious - are there many out there using these for blues? I have never owned one and wondering what world of wonders a minor harp might open up.
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Ant138
383 posts
Mar 23, 2010
12:11 PM
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I got a minor tuned harp a few weeks ago and their fun to play,the chords sound nice. i then took the time to start learning to play 3rd position and realised you dont really need a minor tuned harp. if you type in minor tuned harmonica into youtube theres loads of vids discussing the pros and cons of minor tuned harps,including vids by Jason Ricci and Ronnie Shellist.
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harmonicanick
682 posts
Mar 23, 2010
12:14 PM
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Hi soles
You can either buy a minor tuned harp by Lee Oskar for playing in a minor key or play a major key harp in 3rd position (ie C harp for Dm)
The harmonic minor tuned LO harps can be a lot of fun too
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harmonicanick
683 posts
Mar 23, 2010
12:15 PM
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Oh I've just ditto'd Ant
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oldwailer
1142 posts
Mar 23, 2010
12:22 PM
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I play third position sometimes--but I still love the natural minor harps played cross for songs like "Summertime" or "St. James Infirmary." They are really intuitive and easy to play in cross harp and the chords are more available and nicer than in third position playing.
For a more straight melodic kind of playing (without much need for chords) it's just as easy to just use third. . .
I don't think I have ever tried to use a natural minor harp for a straight blues song--but I think I'll be trying that today--sounds interesting. . .
Last Edited by on Mar 23, 2010 12:23 PM
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isaacullah
861 posts
Mar 23, 2010
12:23 PM
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You buy minor tuned harps for the ability to play minor chords, not for an increased ability to play single note minor tunes. You can get various minor scales (IMO) just as easily using position playing and bending on a normal richter harp. The real advantage to minor tuned harps is the ability to play minor chords. I use a natural minor harp when I want to do some minor reggae vamping. Hitting the minor chord on the off beat is VERY reggae. I also have a harmonic minor harp that I use when I want to "fake" a gypsy/eastern European vibe with lot's of chordal interludes.
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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Ant138
384 posts
Mar 23, 2010
12:43 PM
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Isaac is spot on with the raggae aspect and harpboxing style stuff. Minor tuned harps are great for that sort of thing.
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soles60
4 posts
Mar 23, 2010
1:20 PM
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got it - thanks for the responses
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Jim Rumbaugh
185 posts
Mar 24, 2010
5:09 AM
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I am sad to report, in our club, there a few that WILL NOT learn 3rd, 4th or 5th position. These guys like their minor harps. They also play only 1st or 2nd position
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Bluzdude46
548 posts
Mar 24, 2010
10:02 AM
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I'm one of the sad ones. I like minor tuned harps.
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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