Well, you know how we tune lap harps to g major, I actually thought of this idea to tune it a step lower, meaning it becomes a transposing instrument. I would classify it also as northumbrian tuning. Meaning, it is now in the key of f major. The reason why I call it northumbrian tuning, is because when you listen to the northumbrian small pipes, they actually do read music in g major, but it sounds as f major. Imagine tuning your lap harp a step lower, reading the music on the cards as g major, but actually making it sound a step lower. Not only are you transposing it as a b flat instrument, but it could also be considered northumbrian tuning. You could also read the music on the sheet as in the key of g, but you could rearrange the notes to be an f major. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
The great thing about these Zither harps is that it takes very little tightening or loosening to change the string’s pitch meaning that one could experiment with a wide variety of tunings. In order not to get too bogged down with the chore of tuning, I recommend using the electronic chromatic tuner as it’ll go much faster. Btw, I love the subject of transposing as it really opens up the possibilities of one’s instrument. I play other string instruments like guitar, mountain dulcimer and ukulele and my capo is never too far away from me. I will definitely be exploring the subject of transposing in a future video.
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Thank-you for this.
Well, you know how we tune lap harps to g major, I actually thought of this idea to tune it a step lower, meaning it becomes a transposing instrument. I would classify it also as northumbrian tuning. Meaning, it is now in the key of f major. The reason why I call it northumbrian tuning, is because when you listen to the northumbrian small pipes, they actually do read music in g major, but it sounds as f major. Imagine tuning your lap harp a step lower, reading the music on the cards as g major, but actually making it sound a step lower. Not only are you transposing it as a b flat instrument, but it could also be considered northumbrian tuning. You could also read the music on the sheet as in the key of g, but you could rearrange the notes to be an f major. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
The great thing about these Zither harps is that it takes very little tightening or loosening to change the string’s pitch meaning that one could experiment with a wide variety of tunings. In order not to get too bogged down with the chore of tuning, I recommend using the electronic chromatic tuner as it’ll go much faster.
Btw, I love the subject of transposing as it really opens up the possibilities of one’s instrument. I play other string instruments like guitar, mountain dulcimer and ukulele and my capo is never too far away from me. I will definitely be exploring the subject of transposing in a future video.
Cool, I actually just put out a video on the subject, with my lap harp being tuned to f. @@easylapharpmelodies