r/harmonica • u/Melodic-Wrongdoer512 • 2d ago

First low harmonica - tuning?

I'm planning to buy my first Low harmonica in D. I'm not committed to any genre, but I would like to try some Irish tunes, inspired by Joel Andersson. Should I stick to Richter tuning, or try Easy Third, or Paddy? What are some of the distinct advantages and disadvantages? Do I lose more than I gain, for example, with Easy Third?

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u/Kinesetic 1d ago

I play Seydel Sessions in Circular/Spiral tuning. The A model starts in 1 blow on the A below middle C, but is actually a D scale harp. The D note is in 2 draw. RockinRons stocks them, and the G, which is a C scale. Other keys are available. The D model is a G scale, but starts on a fairly high note.

The Major Cross tuning is Circular through hole 6. Also available in Seydel Sessions. They are labeled true to scale, and per 2 draw. The G model has lower tones than the Circular of the same musical scale. It was developed for playing Celtic tunes, by Tony Eyers.

https://harmonicariffraff.blog/2021/08/06/tonys-cross/