Slidemeister (Chromatic & related only - no Diatonic discussion) > Alternate Tunings

For all you theory buffs - a question

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chrissie:
Maybe it's not so much theory as technique but this is my question:

I am imagining I have a G Seydel Chromatic Deluxe with the Irish slide in front of me.  I am playing in the key of D major.  If I want to play C#, but the slide lowers the pitch one semitone I would have to play D and press the slide button right?  Doesn't this seem unnatural?  But if I am playing by ear (which I usually do on the unmentional d...tonic) would I even know or care what note I was playing?

Perplexed in Milwaukee!

Chrissie

streetlegal:
I'm wondering why you wouldn't naturally choose a Chromatic in the key of D for Irish music? Most Irish jigs and reels are written on sheet music in the keys of D and G. For that reason most Irish whistles, flutes, pipes etc are pitched in D. I think that Seydel offer the low D option which would give a very usable 3 octave range for Irish music. Also for Irish music the Just Intonation tuning option is a good one - for sweetness of tone in the given key.

thebaron:
Could anyone explain Just Intonation to me please?

Grizzly:
Chrissie: you'll get used to it. It will seem natural (no pun) after awhile.

Streetlegal: it's a tossup. A low D may be too low, an octave below a tenor whistle. G is a good compromise. Seydel also makes a high D, which would be more suitable for Irish music.

Chrissie: if you've already got a G on order, don't regret it. A G will give you a D mixolydian scale without button pushes, which some Irish music is written in.

Tom

streetlegal:
Yes Tom - I know what you mean. I'm thinking of the range within the 3 octaves with hole 1 starting on low D. Now if I had such a harmonica the middle D would be my 'home' position. That would give me two octaves going up the scale - with the bonus of the lower notes which are sometimes used in Irish music. It would be the same advantage as having a tenor C Chromatic - but in D. You don't need that squeaky high octave - but the low bass section is sometimes nice to have.

Baron - I refer you to this link - it explains JI better than I ever could.

http://www.patmissin.com/tunings/tun0.html

http://www.patmissin.com/tunings/tun1.html

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