I was at Big Bear, ~7500 ft altitude, yesterday and started to play my Seydel tuned in LowC… The harp seemed “leaky”. It took more air to make the reeds move.
I can understand how the physics would make less dense air, less viscous and change the performance of the reeds .
With all the amazing tunings available out there is there such a thing as a “High altitude C”?
Has anyone else ever noticed this or am I the only crazy person here?
Here is a link to a discussion of this question:
Actually, I was glad to hear you had problems with your LowC.
I have COPD, trouble breathing anyway (on Oxygen 24/7). I have a lot of trouble with enough wind to properly play my LOWC (Lee Oscar). I live about 15 miles east of Colorado Springs, at approximately 6700 ft altitude. No, you are NOT CRAZY, - Or perhaps, we BOTH are.
God Bless You!
Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one. Man! It takes a lot to make that Low C Seydel sing. It’s just too much work. I find myself going back to my Lee Oskar C.
I suppose that exercise is good for me but it is not fun. And isn’t that why they call it “playing”?
It is called learning, practicing, struggling, adjusting. Playing comes only after the first 4!
ha-ha…
God Bless!
I’m only 100m above sea level, but with my Lee Oskar Low D I really feel the extra effort in my sinuses!
I then saw someone write here about the Hohner Rocket Low, so when I decided to try Low C I went for one of those and I do indeed find that it plays easier than my Low D.
I’ve no idea if the effect would be positive or negative at altitude but, here at least, it is different.
@Jeff_Engineer
Interesting observation. My home sits in a mountain canyon at ~6,500 feet. It’s all my harps know, so I’ll be curious to see how difficult it might be to play over say 10,000 feet. If there is a difference, I should notice it.