Hobostubs Ashlock
92 posts
Nov 04, 2009
6:02 AM
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I was reading the post on how many harps and someone said they play with a band that tunes down.So i was wondering if that was to happen do you have to adjust your harp choice.I play with someone that use a lot of drop D tuning for the guitar.THats where the low E string is tuned to D and its been throwing me off on what harp to use.
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e56505
11 posts
Nov 04, 2009
6:37 AM
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It depends what position you are playing. Here is my way of thinkin it out: for straight harp (1st position) you always use the same key as the band is playing
cross harp(2nd position) I use the first letter in the word Harmonica "h" which is Higher than the music by 2&1/2 steps. so count up from D 2&1/2 steps
Slant harp (3rd position) is 1 hole step below the music the band is playing in.
so in drop "D" you would play a D harp for first position. "G" harp if you are playing 2nd postition. and C harp if you are playing 3rd position
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Hobostubs Ashlock
93 posts
Nov 04, 2009
7:44 AM
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OK im kinda lost i know that say standard tuning 440 i would use a c harp for 1st positin key of C and second position would be in G with a C harp ect.now how would that change for drop D tuning.
Last Edited by on Nov 04, 2009 7:45 AM
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asilve3
37 posts
Nov 04, 2009
7:54 AM
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You don't need to adjust your harmonica choice just because the guitarist plays in drop D (unless of course you want to) You just continue to play in whatever key he is playing in.
If he is playing in the key of G using standard tuning you also play in the key of G
If he is playing in the key of G using a drop D tuning you STILL play in the key of G.
"OK im kinda lost i know that say standard tuning 440 i would use a c harp for 1st positin key of C and second position would be in G with a C harp ect.now how would that change for drop D tuning."
nothing changes... drop D just puts a lower note on the bottom string giving chords a different sound.
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Hobostubs Ashlock
95 posts
Nov 04, 2009
8:07 AM
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that makes sence thanks
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e56505
12 posts
Nov 04, 2009
10:12 AM
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asilve3, true if he is playing in the key of G, but if the song is playing in E and your using an E harp and the guitarist drops to a D tuning and you say ok Ill just adjust using my E harp; I dont even know what position that is, and if you know please tell me,but I cant imagine it will sound any good.
Hobostubs; 90% of songs played in drop D tuning are in D, thats the purpose of playing in D its a lower tuning popular with groups like Foo Fighters and Tool etc. you know, your band probably plays that stuff. but typicaly blues style harp is played in 2nd position which the harp is always 2&1/2 steps higher than the song. G is 2&1/2 steps higher than D. try using a different key harp other than D G or C and see what I mean.
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e56505
13 posts
Nov 04, 2009
10:19 AM
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also hobostub back to your response to my post if you want to play 2nd position in the key of C you would use an F harp. But second postion in the key of G is a C harp. hope im being more helpful than confusing
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