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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Playing around with pitch

1 reply [Last post]
Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:47
MeSue
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Joined: 03/10/2012

I am still working on getting Walk with Me up to full tempo with the jam track. Didn't have as much time to practice during May so kind of got stalled there for a while, then yesterday I had a revelation... why not try playing it faster than 100% speed, and then when I go back to 100% it should be easier. The software I use (Transcribe!) has a speed up feature so I started at 98% and sped it up 1% each time I played it up to 103%. It's helping!

But then I got curious and started playing with the pitch adjustment in Transcribe. I lowered it 2 semitones to play it in G and it seemed to me that it was much harder to play. Then I raised it 1 semitone to play it in B flat and it seemed much easier and more fun to play. Is there an explanation for this?

One thing of note... that was my first time ever playing my B-flat harp. Is it possible I've already blown my A and G harps out of tune since those are the two I have been using the most for practice?

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Thu, 06/14/2012 - 21:05
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Most likely your G and A Harmonicas have not gone bad this soon, unless you're playing very hard on them. It's common for players to prefer one key over the other... your mouth chamber just likes the Bb more than the lower harps. In the end, it really doesn't matter much which harp you spend most of your study time on... the Bb is fine if you want to focus on that... then within time work on the other harps.

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