Search found 259 matches

by EdvinW
Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:05 am
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: Balkan tunes and tuning
Replies: 28
Views: 24840

Re: Balkan tunes and tuning

If you want to avoid overblows altogether, there are only two keys of powerbender that play a full Hijaz scale: F and Ab. (Edit: I messed up the keys. Should be correct now!) Doing it on an F harp is absolutely possible, but I'm not sure I would like it on a standard PB. In the lowest octave the sca...
by EdvinW
Sun Sep 27, 2020 10:48 pm
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: Balkan tunes and tuning
Replies: 28
Views: 24840

Re: Balkan tunes and tuning

I threw together some noodling in the Hijaz scale. The sound quality leaves a bit to wish for, but in an attempt to improve from my general reluctance to share recordings I resist the temptation of trying to record it again tomorrow (as I would likely just end up putting it off indefinitely...) http...
by EdvinW
Sun Sep 27, 2020 3:52 pm
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: Balkan tunes and tuning
Replies: 28
Views: 24840

Re: Balkan tunes and tuning

I’m getting interested in Balkan tunes which use the “Hijaz” mode/scale in D: D Eb F# G A Bb C D. Its not quite a diminished scale. I could play this on chromatic but are there any other altered tunings of harmonicas that might make it possible on diatonic? Also, any recommend recordings of someone...
by EdvinW
Fri Sep 25, 2020 11:26 am
Forum: Brendan's Custom Harmonicas, Tunings, etc
Topic: 1 Draw on Low EastTop Powerbenders
Replies: 5
Views: 7674

Re: 1 Draw on Low EastTop Powerbenders

Incidentally, I re-tuned a couple of Powerbenders to raise the blow 3 by a whole step, like the Paddy Richters/Melody Makers are. Not sure whether to christen the result a PaddyPower, PowerPaddy, or Melody Bender! In any case, it's nice for tunes in 2nd position with a lot of held 2nd notes (though...
by EdvinW
Wed Sep 02, 2020 1:14 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: Valveless Chromatics thread on Slidemeister
Replies: 5
Views: 6903

Re: Valveless Chromatics thread on Slidemeister

I'm glad someone finds what I do interesting! The Perfect Tuning might never be found, or even exist, the search must continue :lol: I've been checking in on the thread a few times a day since you alerted me to it, and it's really nice reading! By the way, though i found the theorem yesterday, the t...
by EdvinW
Tue Sep 01, 2020 5:07 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: Valveless Chromatics thread on Slidemeister
Replies: 5
Views: 6903

Re: Valveless Chromatics thread on Slidemeister

Slideless chromatic tunings are tricky, especially if you want them to be regular :) I think I've managed to prove mathematically the following: (If anyone wants the proof I could try and put it in a readable format, but that might take some time.) Theorem: If you want exactly two patterns to play a...
by EdvinW
Mon Aug 31, 2020 8:37 am
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: Valveless Chromatics thread on Slidemeister
Replies: 5
Views: 6903

Re: Valveless Chromatics thread on Slidemeister

Thanks for the tip! I try to keep up with the SlideMeister subforums about custom tunings and instruments, but I had missed this thread. Your idea for a tuning is cool, and it seems reasonable. There is one claim you make, however, that doesn't seem to be totally true: 2. The wholetone-based tuning ...
by EdvinW
Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:20 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: An Idea in Need of an Application - Suggestions?
Replies: 17
Views: 16699

Re: An Idea in Need of an Application - Suggestions?

Thanks for the charts Edvin. You are really good at coming up with useful tuning schemes for any harmonica configuration :) Thank you :) However, I wonder if we're talking at cross purposes? You talk about dual-function reeds as if the reeds themselves can be played as blow or draw. I guess you ima...
by EdvinW
Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:00 pm
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: An Idea in Need of an Application - Suggestions?
Replies: 17
Views: 16699

Re: An Idea in Need of an Application - Suggestions?

I'll have another go at what could be done if we could invert the blow/draw notes in a single holes, i.e assuming the blow note and the draw note in a single hole could change place. Spiral tuning has a lot of chords and is good and intuitive for melody playing. A disadvantage of the Spiral is that ...
by EdvinW
Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:20 am
Forum: Interesting Alternative Harmonica Ideas
Topic: An Idea in Need of an Application - Suggestions?
Replies: 17
Views: 16699

Re: An Idea in Need of an Application - Suggestions?

Thank you for the clarifying post! I'll try to think about the problem in this correct version, but it does seem tricky. For my system from the first post, I had in mind reeds that would respond to either a blow or a draw. I see now this is not what you meant, and take this as another example of how...