Harp Guitar Player's Column Dec, 2004

Volume 2, Issue 1, December, 2004

GETTING STARTED

by Stacy Hobbs

This is more or less a preface to my next column so everyone who cares to be is on the same page.

First off, I play a Dyer harp guitar with 6 sub bass strings. Consequently these workshops will revolve around this type of harp guitar.

Lets begin with the tuning of the sub bass strings and guitar. For simplicity's sake we’ll establish a “standard” tuning for the sub basses. Starting low to high or 12^th to 7^th, the notes for the sub basses are G, A, B, C, D, G. Far as I know this is Stephen Bennett’s brainchild.

On page 91 of Robert Carl Hartman’s book The Larson Creations, there is a Knutsen label with the tuning GABCD written on it.

Some players use this tuning while adding an F note on the low string. You end up with, from 12^th to 7^th: F, G, A, B, C, D. For now we’ll stick with Bennett’s. If you have two harp guitars, go crazy!

For the six-string guitar section we’ll use standard tuning.

There are endless variations on tunings. For the scope of the upcoming columns, standard tuning for the six string is a good starting place.

You should have a working knowledge of first position chords and know some basic music theory. Plus you’ll need to understand 1,4,5 chord progressions, keys, and their relative minors.

There are many books on the subject of chords, theory, and the like if you do not already posses some rudimentary music knowledge.

What string gauges should we use for the sub bass notes? Here are the ones which work well and can handle variations in pitch for minor retuning.

From 7^th to 12^th,they are: .042, .056, .059, .062, .066, .070. Sometimes I will use the .070 for the 11^th string on my 5 sub bass Dyer instead of the .066. You could probably go a thousandth of an inch either way with no trouble on any of these gauges.

I use D’Addario phosphor bronze and buy them by the 5 pack at our local music store. I got these particular gauges from Stephen Bennett who was (and still is) kind enough to offer such trade secrets.

If you decide to tune any string lower than suggested you should bring the gauge of the string up to accommodate the lesser tension. More mass for less tension tends to reduce flapping of the bass string.

These suggestions are meant for the rank beginner. If you have your own tuning and gauges, stick with them. Many of the lessons here will involve concepts, which may be applied to a variety of tunings!

So now we’re set! String up, tune up and lets get started!

Stacy

Stacy Hobbs has been performing, recording, and teaching music for the past 22 years. He purchased his first Harp Guitar in 1998, which proved to be his true calling. Visit www.stacyhobbs.net for more!