Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

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PBaughman
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Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by PBaughman »

Can Irish music be played just as easily on a Melody Maker as it can on a Paddy Richter?
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Brendan
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by Brendan »

Personally I don't think so, because you'd have to constantly bend the 5 draw in the most common positions used in Irish music. These are, in order of use:

First, Fourth, Third, Second

If you wanted to play Melody Maker based in 2nd Position, the equivalent positions would be:

Second, Fifth, Fourth, Third

However, you'll find that the tunes flow better if you base yourself in First Position.

Paddy Richter will be easier for most tunes. However Melody maker could be good for:

1. Modulation to other keys in a set without changing harps. For example, for a harp in G, from G major to D major or A major, as long as the tunes you change to suit being played in those other positions (2nd and 3rd major in this example).

2. Playing tunes where the 5 draw can be either straight or raised a semitone. They are not common, but Melody Maker would allow you to play them.

I suggest trying both tunings yourself and seeing what works for you.
PBaughman
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by PBaughman »

I have an E melody maker. I know that's not very useful for Irish. I have been able to play it to some extent. I practiced Scale Sequences & Melodic Patterns with it till I was blue in the face. I became quite proficient - at playing scales at least.

I also have a Seydel orchestra s that I can get around on pretty easily. This is in Solo layout. I'm sure you know that. How useful would that harmonica be for Irish music? I wouldn't be able to do the slide decorations, being the obvious drawback.

Would you recommend paddy Richter harmonicas for Irish music be fully valved, half valved or no valving?

Also, for the Solo tuned Orchestra S, would valving help that harmonica? I doubt that I would be doing any bending or blues playing with it. If I understand the concept, valving should give it a little more volume. Is that right?
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Brendan
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by Brendan »

Solo is excellent for Irish music.

I suggest 3/4 valving: all valves on the inside, plus outside valves on the even-numbered holes: 2,4,6,8,10. Paddy Richter is best half-valved

Personally I use a mix of Solo and Paddy Richter: PR in the bottom octave and Solo higher up, Paddy Solo. It has some good points, and is what I'm used to. However pure Solo is better in the sense that all the notes are there and every octave is the same, so your phrasing and decorations can be mirrored throughout the harp.

If you want to hear someone using Solo tuning really well in Irish music, check out Tijn Berends:

https://youtu.be/5Qa-747sFPc

The fact he plays bouzouki at the same time makes it even more impressive!
DanPa
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by DanPa »

:o :o :o
That is impressive.
PBaughman
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by PBaughman »

Will your valves be available soon? They will fit the orchestra s too right?
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Brendan
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by Brendan »

I'm developing a new valve; have some in my own harps, road testing them to see how they stand up over time. I'm off to India for most of October. Assuming all is well they will be out late Oct/early Nov.
Lizzy
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by Lizzy »

Will these valves fit chromatics as well?
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Brendan
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by Brendan »

Yes, can do.
PBaughman
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Re: Melody Maker vs Paddy Richter

Post by PBaughman »

I'm curious why you recommend only every other reed on the outside. Is it because of the frequency those notes are played or maybe they are or are not emphasized as much in Irish music?
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