Need help to tune in Db!

[Briana McLean]

Hello I’m trying to play a song with a group that needs to play in Db (d- flat key) on my 26 string lever harp and it’s tuned in Eb (E flat) . Please tell me if it’s possible to lever there because I tried tuning there and it’s not working. What’s the easiest way to get there? Can I lever there or must I retune? I can only lever as far the attached chart I found as far as I know.

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[charles-nix]

To be in Db (major mode?), in addition to the Eb, Ab, and Bb you have on those strings, you must also have a Db and a Gb available. For a very few tunes in pentatonic scales (without a 4th or 7th scale degree) you might get away with substituting the enharmonic C# and F#. But it will be mind bending for you.

The short answer, is that you must retune, unless…..

If I were in that problem, I would request the other instruments to play the tune in D major. Except for accidentals in the music, this requires nothing but assuming the key signature has two sharps instead of 5 flats. The notes are all the same, it will simply sound a half step higher. On the chance that some are playing from chord symbols, they will play the chord one-half step higher and go ahead. In the case of guitar, in Db major, they are nearly certainly playing with a capo anyway, so they capo one fret higher and go. Single note or keyboard instruments just change the key signature to two sharps and play.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by charles-nix. Reason: correct factual error

[Gregg Bailey]

Since Balfour hasn’t yet responded, I’ll give a response that I’m sure he would suggest as an alternative, and that is to tune the harp in C major and raise all the levers for the key of C# major, which gives the same aural result (as long as you’re not actually reading from sheet music in Db but are actually playing with the C strings as your tonic, whether you play by ear or transpose the sheet music).

I’m sure Balfour will chime in!

-Gregg

[charles-nix]

That’s another approach, for sure. To sound decent, it would require both a good tuning, and time for the tuning to stretch in and be corrected, and require that the harp have an _excellent_ regulation job. From harps I have seen, especially the latter is not very likely. Even on a well-maintained pedal harp, keys with many sharps can be a problem. If the harp tension is not too high already, one might simply retune the whole thing a half step high–but you still have the problem of stretching in and settling in tune.

[balfour-knight]

Okay, guys, here’s Balfour chiming in, ha, ha! I would suggest tuning the harp in C Flat, all seven flats. That way all flat keys and the key of C Major are possible, and to get D flat, all you would have to do is raise the F and C levers. Also, the harp would benefit from having less tension on it, rather than forcing it to go up to the C tuning. I do prefer the C tuning for my lever harp, but I do miss being able to play in flat keys on it. I have to use my pedal harp to do that, which is always a pleasure, I may add! When I used to own two lever harps, I kept the largest one in C flat. That way, I could play in ALL keys with the two lever harps. Of course, having to take two lever harps to a gig is almost as much trouble as taking ONE pedal harp, ha, ha!

Good to hear from all of you, my harp friends!
Harp Hugs,
Balfour

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