Seydel Session Steel Special Tuning Circular / Melody King Tuned 10309 Includes Free USA Shipping

Alternative tunings are as fun to explore on harmonicas as alternative tunings are to play on guitar and sometimes, you'll discover than an alternative tuning opens up a world of new possibilities. I ordered five circular-tuned harmonicas in the keys of G, D, A, E, and B to play in my main guitar keys of C, G, D, A, and E respectively. First thing is that this tuning is the most instinctive tuning that I've ever tried. It just works. Unless someone has a compelling reason to start with another tuning, I think everyone should begin playing the harmonica with this tuning. It's just amazing. I also play Richter, Solo, Country, PentaHarp, Melody Maker/Melodic, and Harmonic Minor tunings regularly. This one is my hands down favorite of them all! You get all the modes and two octaves of the most useful ones -- Ionian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Dorian. That means you'll have a draw and a blow version of each! You get ever diatonic chord. It's just refreshing to blow and draw up and down the harp without having to worry about the pattern changing anywhere. It just works. The draw notes bend readily and the harps are really comfortable, as Seydels are known for. On ordering, I knew that all keys aren't kept in stock. The two that were in stock arrived in 2 or 3 days. The three that needed to come from Seydel arrived in just under 2 weeks. I'm very pleased with them and will likely be ordering them in more keys. The stock combs are orange. It's hard to see in the attached photo, I added white key label stickers to show the draw 2 (major/Ionian) key. It's different than Richter. A Richter C harp plays in G in 2nd position. A Circuluar/Zirkular tuning C harp plays F major on the draw 2. So, like I said toward the start, I got G, D, A, E, and B harps to play in the keys of C, G, D, A, and E respectively. If you're on the fence about going with circular tuning, I suggest that you take the plunge. I'm so glad I finally found this tuning!

If I had only one harp, It would be this Circular, in "G" (Seydel calls it Zirkcular). The tuning is perfectly intuitive. All of your Melody notes are there, and every triad is a unique and perfect chord. I prefer jamming in the lower octaves, and this 'G' is down there. Or go really low with the Session, in Low G, Major Cross Tuning, though it's not as versatile as the Circular. Steel reeds last, are expressive, and rich in harmonics. Note that the 'G' Circular has no F sharp; it's a 'C' tuning. The first octave has a Cross tuned Blow/Draw pattern. As such, it plays great in both G and C, and rocks in Am, as well as Em and the related Third positions. This harp in F# plays well those Bluegrass tunes in B; Bb plays Eb, and some songs in C do best with an 'F' in Circular. The 'A' is also essential. With some keys, the Major Cross Tuning is available in a lower octave range. All your melody notes are there, and the stamped key is true; in Cross Tuning! Fabulous instruments! Ron gets your harps to you in a Flash! Every order has been perfect.

I got the harp labeled G, fully valved. My first Seydel, first zircular, first steel reed. I love this thing. Great for melodies and chords. Every triad is available! The tone is rich with a responsive, tight low end and an even, gentle mid to upper range. For my ears, this sounds best with a subtle breath emphasizing clarity and purity. This is no honkin tonkin gut buster. Bought from RockinRonsMusic.