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"Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:20 pm
by IaNerd
NAME: "EXTRA HIgh Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

BASIC CONCEPT:
In recent months I have devised a number of tunings which feature “the” minor hexatonic blues scale. A few days ago it dawned on me that, in doing so, my thinking was restricted to the I chord (my default for this is Gmaj) of a I-IV-V progression. I was therefore neglecting to consider the Eb and F# of the Cmaj blues scale, and the Ab and A of the Dmaj blues scale.

Two days ago I posted a tuning called "High Octane" for a 12-hole harp. Then it occurred to me that adding a new channel between the three and the four could make for an Extra High Octane tuning.

This tuning features:

1. The I chord twice (once inverted and with its b7th, the other with its b7th).
2. The IV chord and its b7th.
3. The V chord and its b7th.
4. The minor hexatonic blues scale of the I chord (playable without tricky bends or overblows).
5. The minor hexatonic blues scale of the IV chord (playable without tricky bends or overblows).
6. The minor hexatonic blues scale of the V chord (playable without tricky bends or overblows).
7. Some tasty draw bends and enharmonics.

WHEN/HOW: October of 2017. I have not yet had one made.

LAYOUT/DETAILS:

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Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:54 pm
by IaNerd
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Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 5:05 pm
by IaNerd
A slight twist on this would be to have the four draw be a G4 (i.e. an enharmonic of the three blow) instead of an F4. This would make runs up and down the G blues scale much faster and easier. That would wreck its role as a b7th for the inverted Gmaj; however, there is already a G7 farther up the harp.

Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 3:06 pm
by IaNerd
This diagram reflects the modifications discussed in the comment just above this one.

It permits the G blues scale to be played as an arrow-straight shot across the draw notes.

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Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 3:41 pm
by IaNerd
If the tuning just above this one is "Gen 2", then this one must be "Gen 3".

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Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 4:11 pm
by IaNerd
In the tuning just above, it bothers me how the pink scale needs to leapfrog channel 11, and the green scale needs to leapfrog channel 12. Time for Gen 4.

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Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 4:55 pm
by IaNerd
There's a lot going on just in this one Topic. I would really appreciate feedback/input, either as posts or pms. --The Nerd from Iowa

Re: "Extra High Octane" blues tuning for 13-hole harp

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:57 pm
by IaNerd
I've been working concurrently on 10-, 12- and 13-hole tunings for blues. It has been fascinating to me how progress in any one of these has led to continued progress in the other two.

This morning I had a real breakthrough in my 10-hole tuning. Which leads me to this 13-hole Gen 5 ....

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