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Forums :: Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Suzuki Fabulous follow-up

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 06/28/2010 - 14:03
slucey
slucey's picture
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Joined: 12/19/2009

Winslow,
We spoke of the two different tunings available with the Fabulous ....Just and Equal.
I ordered the Just because my internet searching made me believe this tuning is best for playing Blues...
however...the 5 draw which is tuned flat....sounds hideous to my ears...Davids songs use lots of 5 draws too. A 4/5 trill sounds awful..

I guess the Promasters must be Equal tuned because they sound more like what David plays....

What is your opinion. If i order another of these should I get them in the Equal tuniing? I guess this one can be adjusted to make the 5 draw and 9 draw less flat....

I really like Christelle Berthon who you turned me onto .. she plays the Fabulous and does so fabulously..i wonder what tuning she uses...

Thank you again!
Steve
Portland Oregon

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Mon, 06/28/2010 - 17:57
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
Expert Winslow Yerxa's picture
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Joined: 01/16/2010
Find your own temperament

If you get handy with tuning, you could order either temperament, then adjust it to suit yourself.

For blues, I'd use just-intoned triads, which will sound better for chordal playing - and by chordal, I include things like shakes, along with tongue slaps, pulls, rakes, hammers, and the various other tongue-block based techniques that are essential to blues harmonica. However, if you can't take the flat Draw 5 (and 9), you could raise it to suit your ear. A little tuning theory might also help you. I'd suggest you read Pat Missin's treatise on temperament at patmissin.com.

I don't know for sure what temperament Christelle uses. The best thing would be to ask her directly. She seems fairly responsive to queries made via comments on her Youtube videos.

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