Steve Baker - Three Special Tunings for Diatonic Harmonica

For the first time on video, one of today's leading players provides a concise introduction to three of the commonest and easiest to use alternate tunings for diatonic harmonica, explained in simple and practical terms. Steve Baker has been recording and performing with Country Tuning, Natural Minor Tuning and Harmonic Minor tuning for decades and is a strong advocate of using them in situations where they make musical sense. If chosen so that they suit the song in question, they offer the player not only the missing notes, but also many chords and chord fragments which are not available in standard tuning, something which is not possible when overblowing on a standard harp. Just as open tunings have become a standard aspect of the modern guitarist's arsenal of tricks, these great harmonica tunings open up new perspectives for the diatonic harmonica player whose musical interests go beyond traditional blues.

[@Voltanaut]

0:48 - major seventh tuning - good for country, rock, and pop. 6:43 - natural minor tuning - good for music in minor keys, also reggae. 11:55 - harmonic minor tuning - good for tango and Arabian music.

[@ZvikaDror]

This is still my favourite alternate tuning video on the whole Internet, followed by Todd Parrott tuning (lowered 7D) and Isaac Ullah on Easy third. Mr. Baker aces in all aspects :)

[@Randysinger]

brilliant dissertation.......so blessed to have steve baker!!!!!

[@stevenpecorilla527]

Awesome explanation and examples. I know what I'm saving for now!

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

I am new to harp but I have a country tuned harp. I love it for playing melodies like Georgia on my mind. Also I can bend hole 5 down and still get that minor 7th.

[@bharfarar]

Superb explanations, not to mention playing.

[@Harmonica123]

Very well done Steve!

[@gerisyandrayusman241]

BIG THANKS from Java, Indonesia Mr. BAker !! I'm enjooy

[@SiggyMe]

Thanks for this education on the special tunings.

[@stuffnuns]

Cheek To Cheek is older that the Dean Martin ‘50’s version. It was Irving Berlin who wrote the song in 1935 for the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers film, “Top Hat”. A great dance number. And a good tune for harmonica.

[@harmonyinstituteofmusiclax8760]

That is super Steve. Loved it.

[@dirkh.8238]

Great information. Thank you very much.

[@Kurtie7]

Thank you Mr Baker...fantastic......

[@johnmalcolm4822]

Correct if I am wrong. My understanding of parallel minor vs relative minor is,: A minor is the relative minor of C major. The parallel minor of C major is C minor.

[@bluedoc8275]

Thx Steve🎶This really helped out an Ole Harp dog!

[@agc_custom_harps]

That was very nice Steve! As for the Sailor´s Hornpipe, if you were to play it in G on a C harp, it sure would be hard to sound that great, but in first position, it would be quite straightforward (as it would be for cheek to cheek and so on). But it sure adds a lot of magic when you take advantage of its chords! A very nice concept. Alan: I believe just the B was flattened to Bb for St. James Infirmary (assuming a C harp).

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

Thanks Andre. The Sailor's Hornpipe doesn't work in 1st position without overblowing, as it contains both a major 7th and a flat 5th.

[@hargisP2]

Very informative.

[@AlbuquerqueEdison]

I love blues and only blues. As far as I understood the harmonica for blues is the Natural Minor. But, how to buy it.How do I recognize that the harp I buy is Natural Minor? Is there any mark on it? For example, a Cm engraved insted of C engraved? I appreciate if you clarify it to me.

[@reddustdiecastmodelrail1499]

its written on the box that it comes in

[@reddustdiecastmodelrail1499]

yes most of the new ones have engravings on the harmonica too or labels

[@RobertFisher1969]

Unfortunately, Hohner only offers country tuning on the Special 20, the minor alternate tunings on the Marine Band, & solo tuning only on a 12-hole Marine Band. If you’re interested in alternate tunings without wooden combs, Hohner apparently wants us to buy Lee Oskar & Seydel harmonicas instead.

[@MegaBoomer666]

Hallo Herr Baker, Ich spreche ja kein Englisch und weiß mittlerweile das sie Deutsch sehr gut können. Vor viereinhalb Jahren habe ich angefangen Mundharmonika zu spielen, als einstieg die Hohner Big River Harp dann gewechselt auf die Hohner Crossover nach ein Jahr dann gewechselt auf die Hohner Golden Melodie die mir am besten gefallen hat und weiterhin spiele. Frau Gabrielle Hand von Service Shop hat mir viel geholfen und bin Ihr sehr Dankbar dafür. Nun steh ich vor ein Problem und arbeite mich so selber hinein Die Melodie ist Gleich temperiert gestimmt was mir gut gefällt und auch die Akkorde sind OK Die Crossover habe ich auf 7 limit just intonation gestimmt Leider kann ich kein alt so großen Unterschied merken Die Blaskanäle auf 7 limit finde ich echt gut und klingt deutlich besser Die Ziehkanäle von 1 bis 4 merkt man kein unterschied erst ab Kanal 5 aufwärts merkt man was Aber wenn man mit Akkorden spielt in Tonblock und schnell bis mittel schnell spielt merkt man auch kein unterschied zwischen diesen Stimmungen Temperiert oder 7 limit. Auch finde ich das Verstimmungen bis 15 cent nicht hörbar sind Also wozu diese fein Abstimmung wenn es nicht deutlich hörbar ist Ihr Harp Buch wo Sie mir zu geraten haben ist seit Wochen nicht zu bekommen in Deutsch und warte immer noch darauf Alles gute aus dem Sauerland

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

Die Fähigkeit, Unterschiede in der Tonhöhe hören zu können, ist bei den Menschen sehr unterschiedlich ausgeprägt. Für mich ist eine Verstimmung um 15 Cent schmerzlich ;-)

[@MegaBoomer666]

@@stevebakerbluesharp Donnerwetter Das man das so gut heraus hören kann von 15 cent sehr erstaunlich, sicherlich die Jahre lange spiel Praxis. Habe mir jetzt die Marine Band Deluxe gekauft bin sehr begeistert von der Harp und möchte sie jetzt erst mal für ein oder zwei Jahre spielen. Spiele in drei Tonarten G, A und C- Dur stimme sie auf 440 hz weil sie mir sonst zu hoch klingt und in 7 Limit. Auf Kanal 10 blasen soll man das C auf 0 Cent stimmen ich finde es aber deutlich zu hoch und stimme das vielleicht etwas Tiefer. Kanal 5 ziehen geh ich etwas herunter von 29 Cent auf 25 Cent auch wenn die Oktaven dann nicht mehr so gut klingen. In denn höhen spiele ich nicht so viel Oktaven, Kanal 9 ziehen lass ich auf 29 Cent da man das nicht so hört diese Verstimmung. Vielen Dank für Ihre Rückmeldung ich habe mich sehr darüber gefreut mit ein Alten Blues Spieler von früher in Kontakt gekommen bin. So viele sind ja schon nicht mehr da und damit verschwindet die Erfahrung aus denn vergangenen Tagen. Alles gute aus dem Sauerland

[@johnmalcolm4822]

Another enquiry I have is whether these tunings are tempered or natural.

[@1eddybee]

Wow Steve , this is the best explained video on this subject of alternate tunings.Can I ask a question?

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

Sorry to reply so late, ask away

[@1eddybee]

+stevebakerbluesharp ,This is my question.I have been studying a few basic scales Ie: major C scale and it's 7 modes as well as the major pentatonic and blues pentatonic.Now I also try to mimic the same o the Leee Oscars Minor tuned and harmonic Minor as well.Is there published scale tabs somewhere I can access for these alternate tuned harps?If not I guess I have to figure it out by ear.Much appreciated if you can direct me .Thanks a bunch .Eddy

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

I don't know of any, though maybe you should check lee's website. The Harp Handbook shows tuning layout diagrams for several of the commoner alternate tunings including the 2 you mention, so you could figure the scales out from there, regards SB

[@1eddybee]

+stevebakerbluesharp ,Thank you again, I have already proceeded to do that based on the LO note layouts for the Alt. Tunings.I'll keep working on it.I love you style of playing by the way.very diversified.Kudos!

[@acordeonhobby]

wow, great job.

[@donwinger1629]

Most exellent explanation, defentally helped me understand what I can do with A country tuned harp. Thank You, Sir.

[@Ironman-harmonica]

What models does Hohner offer the minor tuning in

[@ryancam5922]

Fantastic Baker. I love it very much, but there one thing we would like to buy a good Harmonica, maybe it will be expensive. please advise. Thanks Baker

[@shotgunartscene]

Thanks very much Steve nice to find this clip. You saved me from buying Harmonic Minors...ha ha..however I was looking to open up into more reggae playing with my show ( and the local Byron Bay scene)...I own a couple of Country tunings from Lawrie Munson + a valved diatonic...and often use Natural Minors...What do you suggest is quickest to jump into reggae tunes...Natural only ?

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

Natural Minor will see you right

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

This is brilliant. Where we can get those harmonicas Steve uses in this video?

[@alanwarshak8226]

Steve what key Harp did you use for St James Infirmary with Chris Jones?

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

I did 2 versions. The 1st one on Slow Roll used Easy 3rd tuning in Dm (C harp w. 2-&3-draw tuned down 2 semitones), the 2nd one on Smoke & Noise used Nat. Minor harp in Gm

[@markwathen8438]

Scholar of harp

[@MegaBoomer666]

Hallo Herr Baker, Bin Handwerksmeister von Beruf und verstehe nicht so viel in Englisch, bin Hobbyspieler und spiele auch nicht in eine Band. Am einfachsten ist für mich die gleiche Temperament zu verstehen deshalb habe ich mich auch für die Hohner Golden Melody entschieden und komme sehr gut klar. Die Marine Bands, Classic, Deluxe und Crossover sollen alle eine Kompromittierte Stimmung haben leider konnte ich auf denn Seiten von Hohner nichts dazu finden aber bei Seydel. Hier zu konnte ich das finden Schlag 0 -14 2 0 -14 2 0 -14 2 0 Loch 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 zeichnen4 2 -12 4 -2 6 -12 4 -2 6 Stimmen Sie die zu ? Konnte dann das noch finden Original Marine Band Tuning, [7 Limit] Nur Intonation Loch   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Schlag   0 -14 +2 0 -14 +2 0 -14 +2 0 Zeichnen +4 +2 -12 +4 -29 +6 -12 +4 -29 +6 Und dieses Aktuelle Marine Band Tuning Loch   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Schlag   0 -12 +1 0 -12 +1 0 -12 +1 0 Zeichnen +2 +1 -11 +2 -12 +3 -11 +2 -12 +3 Schon sehr verwirrend alles und wenn ich mir eine Marine Band kaufe, wie soll ich sie nachstimmen ? In welcher Stimmung ? Alles gute aus dem Sauerland

[@museumofsong]

I'm just starting to get my head round diatonic harmonica-stupid question maybe, but why would an aeolian scale be a surprise on a natural minor harmonica, and why would you need bends? Natural minor IS the aeolian.

[@stevebakerbluesharp]

It's no surprise that the aeolian mode is available on Natural Minor tuning, that's the idea of it. Bends are always useful for expression and are essential to get the missing notes such as flat 5th, major 6th or 2nd.

[@museumofsong]

+stevebakerbluesharp perhaps I'm getting confused. But the harp is in A minor, and at 11:30 you play an A aeolian scale (natural minor) with ''a couple of bends". Why do you need the bends there? Are all the notes not otherwise available?

[@GutoSantana]

He answered you already here: "Bends are always useful for expression and are essential to get the missing notes such as flat 5th, major 6th or 2nd."

[@RobertFisher1969]

The natural minor tuning is, IMHO, poorly named. In 1st position, you get Dorian. In 2nd position you get Aeolian, but like the Richter from which it was derived, you’re missing notes in the lower octave, so you need bends to make up for that in any position. But 2nd position relies on the lower octave more than 1st does.

[@jrb4935]

Why does the film-maker keep cutting to different angles? One shot is sufficient.

[@harrymills2770]

Yeah. You can't get that major 7th unless you know how to overblow, which I never learned. I could sure bend that major 7th DOWN, though. Very interesting.

[@AceFurley]

I'm still trying to find the appropriate tuning that facilitates swedish death metal?

[@joegollinger5091]

Cheek to Cheek Fred Astaire

[@FELIPEOLIVEIRA-dc1gu]

he is man. nice

[@stonedcold12]

This guy speaks like Christopher Walken

[@patrickclark3337]

hoots Not even a little bit!

[@ryancam5922]

I have many Harmonica but it us still not good,....sound and the note were not clear..

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

The "Arabian scale" is also the traditional Jewish/Yiddish scale, so why not mention it???

[@timedriverable]

What key in the country tuned harp?

[@AceOfHarps]

It's a Bb country tuned harp, used to play in F in 2nd position.

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

Loved the info, hated the camera work. That modern way of filming from every angle possible makes me sick. What's wrong with seeing the speaker, lecturer, teacher head on??? He is talking to me(us), is he not? Ridiculous.

[@z1522]

It's the unfortunate cliche, pervading too many interview/talking head programs; watch "Last Call" until you can't take it any more. The ADHD media fans who grow bored unless a scene changes every three seconds have led producers to favor this tactic; worse still, when the camera switches as the person keeps talking, looking off into some vague airspace, talking to ghosts or other off-camera entities. I guess too much eye contact makes these socially inept youths feel uncomfortable rather than engaged with the speaker. Explains a lot of contemporary problems I suppose.