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New PowerChromatic Video with Notes & TAB

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 5:15 pm
by Brendan
Here's an original tune recorded with LA musicians Ross Garren and John Schroeder, the Sheriffs of Schroedingham:

THE BLACK NOTES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M92eXa5-s0M

The melody is played on a Lucky 13 in PowerChromatic Tuning, key of G. Notes and TAB are available here:
http://www.brendan-power.com/lucky13.php#lucky13SoloPC

Re: New PowerChromatic Video with Notes & TAB

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 1:14 pm
by EdvinW
Nice!

In addition to being a cool tune in itself, it highlights the chromatic qualities of the Power Chromatic tuning: One couldn't really do this on a Richter tuned instrument! (except possibly with really solid overblowing skills..) Could this by any chance have anything to do with the name of the tune? ;)

The tune also makes me think about how to choose the right harp for a tune. Did you consider any other options? A PC tuned to C, for instance, should also work well, and you do use the natural 'f' more than the 'f#'. On the other hand a blown 'f' is less expressive than a bent one, so it's maybe not a good trade. A regular Power Bender (possibly with a "Paddyfied" bottom octave without the repeated fifth) would also have the notes needed, but might have other points where it disagrees with the tune.

Of course I don't mean to suggest that another tuning would work better or that you should have done anything differently, I'm simply curious as to what aspects you consider when choosing which harp to use.

Thanks for the video!

Re: New PowerChromatic Video with Notes & TAB

Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2019 9:44 am
by Brendan
Good commentary Edvin, thanks!

Yes, it's a good example of a tune modulating between three keys using easy draw bends as opposed to overblows etc. The keys are F Maj (A part), Gm (B part) and Bm (C part). I don't think it would be possible to play this tune convincingly with attractive feeling on a Richter harp, but I haven't tried.

The melody could be played on PowerBender, but certain parts would be more difficult (eg. low range of A part and high range of C part), and you would lose flavours that are integral to the tune (like the draw B note high up in the C part, which has a lot of bending inflection for flavour). Paddy PowerBender would be good for the bottom end but not help the high part. Plus the solo is very much based in PowerChromatic throughout.

I often play this tune on other key PowerChromatic harps (key F PC is nice), but since only G and D are currently available I chose G as the better of the two.

Glad you like it!

Re: New PowerChromatic Video with Notes & TAB

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 3:35 am
by Tyler
I haven't tried PC yet, but I sure intend to!