Discover the Magic of Easy Third Tuning for Melodic Harmonica Playing
For harmonica enthusiasts eager to expand their melodic playing in styles like Irish music, folk tunes, funk, reggae, and minor blues, Easy Third Tuning is a true game-changer. This innovative tuning, created by Dale King, an American harmonica player living in Germany, is also known as Dale’s Open Irish Tuning (DO IT!). Though it goes by various names, including Reggae Tuning, the most commonly used term today is Easy Third Tuning. It provides an accessible and intuitive approach to playing melodies, particularly in minor keys, without the need for advanced techniques or extensive note bending.
What Makes Easy Third Tuning Special?
Easy Third Tuning is a clever blend of the traditional Richter and Solo-Tuning systems. One of its standout features is the ability to effortlessly play fat, rich-sounding double notes—such as octaves and fifths—which aren’t possible on a standard Richter harmonica. This tuning achieves that by lowering just two notes (the 2 and 3 draw). This simple adjustment opens up new possibilities for playing genres like Irish/Scottish (jigs, reels, polkas, strathspey) music, funk, reggae, minor blues and folk and Irish folk, without the need for complex bends.
No More Struggling with Bends
In standard Richter tuning, playing melodies and minor key melodies can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to hit the right notes in fast passages like Irish jigs or reels. The reliance on bending notes accurately in holes 2 and 3 often leads to a flat or less dynamic sound. Easy Third Tuning solves this problem by lowering the pitch of holes 2 and 3, replacing the missing critical notes for playing melodies there while also allowing you to achieve a minor chord on holes 1-3 effortlessly. This makes minor key playing more intuitive, especially in third position, while eliminating the need for difficult draw bends to play the Dorian scale or jigs and reels.
This tuning is ideal for musicians who want to dive into minor keys and fast melody playing in genres like Irish and Scottish music, blues, rock, and folk music, offering full chord accompaniment for those haunting, melancholic tunes.
Perfect for All Skill Levels
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, Easy Third Tuning simplifies playing melodies and tunes in minor keys. You no longer need to master tricky bends to access the minor scales and fast melodies—this tuning takes care of that for you. It allows you to focus on creativity and expression, making it a great addition to your musical toolkit regardless of your level of expertise.
Get Your Bargain Special 20 Harmonica in Easy Third Tuning Today!
Ready to experience Easy Third Tuning for yourself? You can purchase a pre-tuned Special 20 harmonica in Easy Third Tuning – now available at a special bargain price, exclusively in the key of C—right here at Harmonicas Ireland! The Special 20 is highly regarded for its airtight construction, smooth playability, and versatility, making it the perfect choice to explore new musical styles and melodies.
If you’d like to have Easy Third Tuning applied to your own harmonica, or if you’re interested in other keys or models available at Harmonicas Ireland (Marine Band Classic 1896, Pro Harp, Blues Harp, Rocket Low, Special 20, … ), we also offer custom tuning services to suit your needs. Whether you prefer a different harmonica or key, we’ve got you covered.
What is Easy Third Tuning?
Easy Third Tuning is an alternative tuning that makes playing in the relative minor key simple. For example, on a C harmonica, this tuning shifts the notes so that A minor becomes the default scale alongside C major. This makes it easier to play both melodies and chords in minor keys, providing a more intuitive and natural approach to those expressive, emotional tunes often associated with minor scales.
Why Choose Easy Third Tuning?
- Simplified Minor Key Playing: Traditional diatonic harmonicas are tuned to major keys, requiring advanced techniques like bending to play minor key music. Easy Third Tuning eliminates the need for complex bends, making minor key and melody playing straightforward.
- Expressive and Versatile Sound: Minor keys evoke more emotional, expressive music. With Easy Third Tuning, you can tap into these moods effortlessly, making it ideal for Irish and Scottish music, folk, reggae, and other melody-based genres that rely on minor scales.
- Accessible to All Skill Levels: Whether you’re new to the harmonica or an experienced player, this tuning allows you to explore minor keys with less technical effort, giving you more freedom to focus on creativity and musical expression.
How Does it Work?
In Easy Third Tuning, draw notes in holes 2 and 3 are lowered to favour the minor scale. The blow notes remain largely the same as in standard tuning, but the adjustment to the draw notes aligns the harmonica more closely with the relative minor key. This means you can play minor scales and chords naturally, without needing to bend notes into place.
Take Your Harmonica Playing to the Next Level
Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your musical horizons with Easy Third Tuning. Purchase your pre-tuned Special 20 – Easy Third Tuning harmonica now at a special price from Harmonicas Ireland and experience the ease and versatility that this incredible tuning brings to your playing.
