KingoBad
13 posts
Jan 25, 2009
8:44 PM
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I have a B harp and have no real use for it (other than it sounds nice). Has anyone ever tuned a B harp down to a Bb? I got it (a Suzuki promaster) for a steal. I may just keep it around just in case I need it for something, but i wondered if anyone has tuned their harps down (or up for that matter).
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wheezer
45 posts
Jan 26, 2009
3:15 AM
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The problem with de-tuning is that you have to remove metal from the fixed end of the reed. This is the area of the reed that suffers metal fatigue when a reed goes flat. Having said that I did re tune a D Major to D minor. To do this drop 2, 5, & 8 blow a semitone. Also
drop 3 & 7 draw a semitone. Minor chords sound really nice. If you do not want the harp as a minor then just drop all the other reeds a semitone.
I would suggest that you would be better off by raising the harp to a C. This would involve taking metal from the free end of the reed, much less likely to cause premature failure of the reeds. Good Luck.
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Preston
101 posts
Jan 26, 2009
5:57 AM
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One time I took a B harp and put a new sticker on the side that said Cb. Instantly re-tuned and didn't even have to open the lids.
sorry, bad joke.
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Buddha
27 posts
Jan 26, 2009
6:04 AM
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It's a pain in the hinder.
I've made low F and low F# golden melodies from a G. You need a very good tuner ie peterson strobe.
I think you'd be better off keeping it. I love my B harp. 11th pos = A and 12th = E great for blues and country music!
Last Edited by on Jan 26, 2009 6:05 AM
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Pulatom
13 posts
Jan 26, 2009
7:13 AM
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I've tuned my Big River Harp C up to Db and it sounds pretty good, there aren't any problems with playing it. I've also tuned down a Silver Star C to harmonic minor (like Lee Oscar). It's not a hard thing to do but you have to do it very gently and be careful not to tune a reed up or down too much.
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Philosofy
127 posts
Jan 26, 2009
7:53 AM
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I'm going to investigate something. I sell chemicals, and one of my customers makes compounds to balance micro motors. I'm thinking a small dab of this epoxy like compound on the end of a reed would do the trick: then just file off the dab to get the right note. I'm seeing this guy on Tuesday, so I'll find out the FDA clearance of this stuff. If it looks like it might work, I promised Joe Filisko I'd get him a sample to try it.
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bluzlvr
113 posts
Jan 26, 2009
2:37 PM
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You should keep it a B, KingoBad. I was at a jam once and somebody wanted to do something in F sharp. Luckily for me, I had a B harp in my bag. Like you say, it's a nice sounding harp. You can always buy a Bflat harp.
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oldwailer
467 posts
Jan 26, 2009
4:19 PM
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I guess it depends on what your plans are to do with harp playing--but, to me, there ain't no key that I don't want in my bag eventually.
If you are playing with a singer, or singing yourself--the vocal range of the singer becomes what decides the key--not what the piccolo player prefers. I'd vote that you 1) send it to me--or 2) keep it for the day when this really hot lady with a great rack wants to sing in F# while dancing on your lap. . .
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