Hi all! I wanted to ask, how “vital” paddy richter tuning is to playing Irish jigs. I’m gonna be expanding to a G harmonica soon, and I’d need to order paddy richter tuned harmonica from abroad for example. If I can bend, would a regular G harmonica still be ok? I tried searching various examples on youtube but it isn’t always clear what tuning is used and also there is a lot of variation.
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Hi @yuriythebest I’m curious about that too, as I have a blues song with IMHO a pretty great solo, but I’m really tempted to switch harps in the middle and do an Irish jig type thing I think it would work excellently and it would make me stand out a bit from all the other harp players around here
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@yuriythebest If you’re playing blazing fast Irish fiddle tunes, the -3" can be challenging - it just depends on your comfort level with that bend, and how much that note is being used in the melodies you’re playing.
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Not essential, just helpful like Luke said.
I’ve been trying to learn a few irish jigs and reels and I’ve not really felt the need get one. If you were only going to play those styles of tunes then go for it.
I’ve seen easttop do thier t008k in a paddy richter which isn’t an expensive harmonica if you wanted to try one.
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Hi all! about to pull the trigger, so to speak, on getting some LOW D and G paddy’s, HOWEVER in the listing, can you guys confirm that the ones I highlighted the correct ones? I’m 99% certain it’s those (bG and bD) but just wanted to make sure.
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Okay folks, I was able to get a reply on another venue, to anyone interested the bD and bG mean “flat” D and G, for “low” it should be LG and LG
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@yuriythebest OK good I’m glad you got that sorted before you made the purchase! Have you gotten them yet?
Also, for a nominal fee, Rockin’ Rons can tune ANY harp to ANY tuning for ya.
Hi Luke! I ended up ordering an Easttop Paddy G (non low version since there weren’t any) and a Low F since that was the only Low one at that price range, got that one a bit on a whim actually - still in transit, will probably take 1-2 more weeks since it got delayed initially- but luckily my Special 20 C is still more than enough for me to practice atm.
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Hi, beginner player here and I’m interested in the Easttop Paddy G harp. Were you happy with the Easttop brand Paddy harmonica you bought back in December?
I’ve been happy with the easttops I bought in paddy G and D. Whilst I might get the same in a nicer harmonica when funds allow for it, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them.
I can get to the 2 step bend on the 3 draw in standard now “just about” but can I get on it to play a jig fluently? Not on your nelly.
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Thanks for your reply. I’m not bending well at the moment but continue working on it, nothing consistent at least.
In your opinion, which Paddy richter tuning would be the best to purchase first if playing Irish music? The G or D? If I had a choice of one of the two keys?
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I’d say G but that’s as much because I like playing a G harp as any musical reason. They’re both commonly used keys in Irish music, the D is a higher harmonica so plays slightly differently to the G (much more like a C harmonica if you started with a C) and the layout of the notes will be the same obviously.
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Thanks for the recommendation.
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Hi kmehrzad! Let’s just say the Paddy G was (and still is) my workhorse for like 6+ months (mostly due to learning a jig, then realizing I learnt it “not quite right”, and redoing it, then repeat the process)
right now I use it for the Kesh Jig, Morrison’s Jig and Swallowtail Jig (although some of them don’t actually require the paddy Richter bit since it doesn’t use that note - but the good thing is you can play em all in one sitting regardless) - here is my recording from a month or so ago (since then I realized some parts of the Morrison’s jig were still not quite right but this will give a good impression what to expect)
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That sounds very nice. I’m close to buying one myself now. Thanks for the demo.
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