CarsickPhil
1 post
Jun 18, 2013
10:50 AM
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Dear all
I've made a Microsoft Excel Workbook that calculates diatonic harmonica tab from a melody in standard music notation. I thought I'd share it with others just in case it was interesting or useful.
I know there are other fancy systems around. I know I should learn to do this in my head. But while I'm learning, I found it useful to build this workbook as an exercise to test that I'd got a grip of the theory.
The result is a simple tool that handles the transpositions involved and picks the best position to play the tune. It's not password protected, so you can look inside to see how all the sums work and twiddle with the variables. Do tell me if you spot any errors or opportunities for improvements.
The workbook does not only give tab for what it reckons to be the best choice of position, but allows you to pick other positions too. Playing these various options has been fun for understanding the choice of positions a bit better, moving between them more easily and practising bends by playing the same tune in different positions.
I realise in writing all of the above about how it was fun and informative to build this thing that I might have wandered some way from norm in the harmonica world. But who knows, others might enjoy it too. Anyway it's yours to use entirely freely at:
http://carsickphil.wordpress.com/harmonica-tabulator/
Better get back to practising on a real harmonica now.
BTW Thanks to Adam for all the great videos and info.
All the best
Phil
Last Edited by CarsickPhil on Jun 18, 2013 11:01 AM
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Jared_SA
78 posts
Jun 19, 2013
12:47 AM
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That is amazing!
Really nice work and thanks for sharing it with us. Much appreciated.
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Egg Timer Mic
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Sandbagger
7 posts
Jun 19, 2013
3:06 AM
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I'm looking forward to playing with this, thanks. Could be just what I need for transcribing Irish fiddle music. Well done and thanks for sharing!
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Suzukisucker
17 posts
Jun 19, 2013
8:44 AM
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Hoi Phil,
Till a half our ago I was transcribing my Irish & O'Carolan Tunes by hand, putting them after that in the Seydel Tabtool and then into Wordpad.
Your Workbook makes all those steps unnecessary.
GREAT tool, thanxs for putting al the time and effort in creating it & just giving it away.
A happy SuzukiSucker
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CarsickPhil
3 posts
Jun 20, 2013
9:50 AM
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Dear all
Thanks for your comments.
I was interested to see that Sandbagger and Suzukisucker play Irish tunes. I listened to a tune on Suzukisucker's website - beautiful.
Just I thought that I should mention that the Tabulator is set for standard Richter tuning and not anything fancy like Brendan Power's Paddy Richter tuning for folk music. Although I've designed it so that it could be adjusted without too much difficulty if this turned out to be important.
All the best
Philip
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Suzukisucker
18 posts
Jun 20, 2013
10:00 AM
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Hoi Phil,
I want to found out how to change the standard Richter Tuning into the "fancy" :-)) Paddy Richter Tuning I use it all the time to play my tunes.
Nice to hear you liked my playing, thanxs for your compliment.
Worked with it today again and really love it.
Thanxs again for your effort.
John
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CarsickPhil
4 posts
Jun 24, 2013
9:42 AM
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Hoi John
Glad to here the workbook is useful. I think I will have to make some adjustments to accommodate Paddy Richter tuning. I'm a bit busy at work, so it might take a little while. But, first, I need some information from you please.
For each of the possible notes to play on your Paddy Richter harmonica, please give me information as follows:
1 blow - C - Ease of playing 10/10
1 draw bend - C# - Ease of playing 8/10
1 draw - D - Ease of playing 10/10
Etc.
The ease of playing scores are relative. Give the easiest notes 10/10 and the really hard ones 1/10.
Once I have the info, I'll see how I can fit it into Excel and provide a simple switch, so that people can choose Richter, Paddy Richter and may be some other tunings too.
Groetjes
Phil
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