B thing tuning
Sat, 01/17/2015 - 07:47
Hi Winslow,
I was looking to create the same tuning that Carlos Del junco uses in his B thing instrumentals. I have seen some of the tuning diagrams on overblow.com. However I was wondering what the best way to approach the tuning was, with regards to cents offeset form equal temp, to give a compromised sort of tuning.
Also whats easiest way to attempt to retune, can you tune a standard richter harp to B thing without switching reeds or wound harp with alternate tuning be easier to retune.
Thanks,
G
You can create B Thing tuning without swapping reeds. You just start with a standard tuned harp and change the ptich of three reeds.
Tuning Blow 1 down two semitones is best done with a glob of solder on top of the tip of the reed - which will school you on soldering if you're not already doing it.
Raising Draw 1 three semitones is accomplished with filing or sanding some of the weight off the tip of the reed.
Also, lowering Draw 7 one semitone is something you can accomplish by sanding away some material at the base of the reed. You can do this withoutn harmoning the reed as long as you're careful. In my experience this does not weaken the reed.
As to temperament, that's up to your taste. I've never asked Carlos what his temperament preferences are, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he might favor equal temperament. If you're playing a lot of chords, I'd go to 7-limit just for that old-time Chicago sound, or 19-limit just, or one of the compromise tunings.