Ashokans Farewell (That elusive note)

Theory
1

A question I’m sure is often asked. Following up on the single note segment (lordy the Luke technique works well), I got cocky reaching for favorIte tunes, beyond Mary’s lamb of course. Reaching for Ashokans Farewell, I stumble into that unattainable note. Is there a workaround alternative? A better harmonica for that tune than C? The purchase for me would be worth it. Feel free to also reply to northwester@comcast.net
David

2

I found Ashokans Farewell on harptabs for C diatonic - doesn’t seem to require bending, is this what you are searching for? https://www.harptabs.com/song.php?ID=1014

3

@northwester Not being familiar with the tune I did a search & found this video with tabs.

1 Like
4

I’m assuming you are playing the song in 1st position (e.g., playing it in the key of the harmonica). In that case, the elusive note you refer to is probably the 3 hole bent down a whole step.

In that case, a diatonic harp tuned in paddy richter will give you that note. Alternatively, a Red Trochilus / Game Changer will give you that note plus a lot more.

I’m working on that tune on a chromatic harmonica. With the chromatic, a missing note is never a problem.

3 Likes
5

Trying to get that tune with an Easttop 24-hole Tremelo in the key of D (low D to be exact), no problem working my way thru using guitar and violin music which are usually in D but that one note is a “C natural” . Key of D the C is a C#. So I am wondering if I can use a blues harp bend technique to get it.

6

Well, I am not vey experienced with tremolo harps, but as far as I know bending is not something that can be done on them. The tremolo only has one note associated with each hole or channel (either a blow or a draw, depending on the hole). The two reeds in that get played are both tuned to the same note, with only a slight tuning difference between them in order to produce the “beating” (tremolo) sound. Blues harps are much differently built and the difference permits the bending (either blow or draw bending, depending on the pitches of the blow and draw reeds found in that one hole).

1 Like
7

Thanks. I think I understand.

Guess I will buy a different harmonica to learn this song. My audience won’t know the difference. Might be smaller harmonica haha.

2 Likes