Kniri 221  Alternate Tunings

Update:  16.10.2024

I was looking for an easier way to play the Blues with the common three chords (C, F and G7 in the key of C)
After playing around for some time I invented (2001) a continuous scale for diatonic instruments."Kniri 221"
The "diatonic-cyclic" tone arrangement makes it possible to play identical melodies in several major and minor keys.

On a 10 hole harmonica, this allows to play 5 different mixolydian major scales and 5 different natural minor (aeolian) scales,
which are related/similar to the circle of 4ths (and 5ths)
The tones have a regular spacing: 221221221221etc. 2=whole tone, 1=semitone
The nice thing about this is if you blow or draw any four notes right next to then it will always result in a flat7th-chord major,
diminished or minor, depending where you are.
This makes it very easy if you want to use the instrument to accompany someone and for improvisation.

Layout Kniri 221 
G/B*/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db  blow: Harmonica / pull: Accordion !
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
A/C /E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb   draw: Harmonica / push:  Accordion !

B* = H deutsch,  Bb = B deutsch

The "diatonic-cyclic" tone arrangement "Kniri 221" makes it possible to play identical melodies
in several major and minor keys
(5 mixolydian and 5 natural minor (aeolian) scales) over an octave on the same instrument.
In a scale consisting of 20 tones, the 5 minor and 5 major scales over 1 octave each and 16 triads
in the circle of fifths/fourths are related to each other.
Always 3 tones next to each other result in a triad, alternating minor, major and diminished etc.
The chords fit together (tonic, subdominant, dominant = in C major: C, F and G7).
The tones have a regular spacing: 221221221221etc. 2=whole tone, 1=semitone
There are bluenotes: minor third and minor seventh (in C major Eb and Bb.)
This arrangement of notes is therefore ideal for playing in the blues scheme.

Cyclic Scale "221" in the circle of 4ths (Kniri Knaus)
regular steps :   221221221221221221221... ..  steps:  2= wholetone 1=halftone
G,A,B*,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C,Db,Eb,F,Gb,Ab,Bb
,B*,Db,Eb,E,Gb,Ab,A,B*,C#,D,E,F#,G

Beispiel: from G to G  = 6 octaves,  all 12 keys,  36 tones !!!!!! (like a spiral)

Kniri 221 Harmonica

Exemple: from low tone  G  to high tone  Eb  blow-draw-blow-draw......etc
G/B*/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db    Harmonica blow  (Accordion pull)
A/C /E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb      Harmonica draw  (Accordion push) 

B* englisch = H deutsch !

total 16 triads (in the circle of 4ths and 5ths )
G,C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab-Dur    A,D,G,C,F-Moll     B*,E,A,D,G dim (G7,C7,F7,Bb7,Eb7 )

14 four-tone chords are also possible:

blow: G,B*,D,F----B*,D,F,A----D,F,A,C----F,A,C,Eb----A,C,Eb,G----C,Eb,G,Bb---Eb,G,Bb,Db

draw: A,C,E,G---C,E,G, Bb---,E,G,Bb,D---G,Bb,D,F---Bb,D,F,Ab---D,F,Ab,C---F,Ab,C,Eb

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Exemples: 

Alternate tuned Accordions (Cajun Accordion/Melodeon)

BluesÖrgeli  Kniri 221

Blues in C

B*englisch = H deutsch,  Bb englisch = B deutsch

2212212212212212212---pitches, steps
Layout:
A C E G Bb D F Ab C Eb - push
G B* D F A C Eb G Bb Db - pull

1221221221221221221---pitches, steps
Layout:
G B* D F A C Eb G Bb Db- push
F# A C E G Bb D F Ab C - pull

2122122122122122122---pitches, steps
Layout:
E G Bb D F Ab C Eb Gb Bb- push
D F A C Eb G Bb Db F Ab - pull

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"Bluesy" Tuning Kniri 221+   Demo Youtube Blues in Bb

C/D/F/A/C/D/F/A/C/Eb    blow     chord- Dm7-F6-F7
C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/D/F  draw    chord- C7-Gm7-Bb
    Eb,Gb        Eb,Gb    Db,E  bendings

scale: C,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F

C-D-F-A-C'-D'-F'-A'-C''-Eb''---- blow

1-2-4-6-1'-2'-4'-6'-1''-3b''

C-E-G-Bb-C'-E'-G'-Bb'-D''-F''-----draw

1-3-5-7b-1'-3'-5'-7b'-2''-4''

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"Kniri 221" in G      Kniri 221 Tuning Demo

G/B*/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db  blow    G7, Dm7, F7, Cm7, Eb7
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
A/C /E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb  draw    Am7, C7, Gm7, Bb7, Fm7, Ab

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"Richter" Tuning (Standard Tuning) for comparison

F/A/C/F/A/C/F/A/C/F      blow       F...................
1  2  3  4 5  6  7 8  9 10         
G/C/E/G/Bb/D/E/G/Bb/D  draw      C..........C7, Gm , Gm6
Gb,B*,Eb,Gb---Db  --------     bendings

"Richter-Kniri" Tuning 
Demo Youtube Blues in C
This tone arrangement is a combination
from "Richter" and "Kniri 221"

F/A/C/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db   blow
G/C/E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb   draw
Ab    Eb,Gb     Db,E,      B',  D    bendings

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MIXO-KNIRI  Tuning  (C) 
mixolydian blues scale   bluenotes:  Eb+Gb bendings   Bb draw  Eb blow

A/D/F/A/C/D/F/A/C/Eb    blow  ,  chords- Dm7-F6-F7-Adim
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10
C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/D/F  draw ,  chords- C7-Edim-Gm7-Bb
B*Eb,Gb        Eb,Gb     Db,E  bendings

scale: A,C,D,Eb,E,F,Gb,G,A,Bb,C,C,D,Eb,E,F,Gb,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F

https://www.facebook.com/reel/361721436348304

Scale: A,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F

A-D-F-A-C'-D'-F'-A'-C''-Eb''---- blow

6-2-4-6-1'-2'-4'-6'-1''-3b''

C-E-G-Bb-C'-E'-G'-Bb'-D''-F''-----draw

1-3-5-7b-1'-3'-5'-7b'-2''-4''

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Kniri 221  (basic)

G/B*/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db  blow , chords-  G7, Bdim,  Dm7,  F7, Adim, Cm7, Eb7, Gdim    
1  2  3   4   5  6   7   8  9  10                     
A/C/E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb   draw , chords-  Am7, C7, Edim, Gm7, Bb7, Ddim,  Fm7, Ab
Ab,  Eb,Gb      Db ,E     B*, D   bendings

221.221.221.221.221.221.2---steps
G,A,B*,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C,Db,Eb---scale
 

VARIANTE 

Kniri Extra 221  (hole 2 blow and 3 draw= 1 halftone lower than Kniri 221)

G/Bb/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db  blow , chords-  Gm7, Bb,  Dm7,  F7, Adim,  Cm7, Eb7, Gdim    
1  2  3   4   5  6   7   8  9  10                    
A/C/Eb/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb   draw , chords-  Adim, Cm7, Eb, Gm7, Bb7, Ddim,  Fm7, Ab
Ab,B*    Gb      Db ,E     B*, D   bendings

212.212.221.221.221.221.2---steps
G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C,Db,Eb---scale

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VARIANTE

Kniri Special 221  Tuning Bb  

Bb/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db/F  blow , chords- Bb, Dm7, F7, A-dim , Cm7, Eb7, G-dim, Bbm   
1  2  3   4   5  6   7   8  9  10                    
C/E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb/G   draw , chords-  C7, E-dim, Gm7, Bb7, D-dim, Fm7, Ab, Cm

Bb,C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C,Db,Eb,F,G ---scale

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VARIANTE

Circular Blues  Tuning Bb  (hole 2 draw = 1 halftone lower than Kniri Special 221)
Kniri Knaus

Bb/D/F/A/C/Eb/G/Bb/Db/F  blow , chords- Bb,Dm7, F7, A-dim , Cm7, Eb7, G-dim, Bbm   
1  2  3   4   5  6   7   8  9  10                    
C/Eb/G/Bb/D/F/Ab/C/Eb/G   draw , chords-  Cm7, Eb , Gm7, Bb7, D-dim. Fm7, Ab, Cm

Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb,C,Db,Eb,F,G ---scale

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CIRCULAR BLUES   (Tuning C)  (Kniri Knaus)

C,Em,G,Bdim,Dm,F,Adim,Cm :   chords blow

C   E   G   B   D   F   A   C   Eb   G  :  BLOW

1   2   3    4   5   6   7   8    9   10  :  HOLES

D   F   A   C   E   G   Bb   D   F   A   : DRAW

                   Eb  Gb                       : bendings

Dm,F,Am,C,Edim,Gm,Bb,Dm  :  chords draw

C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C,D,Eb,E,F,Gb,G,A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G,A : SCALE

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Octatonic whole-half scale  2121.2121.2121.......

Diminshed Tuning

2121.......

BLOW   C Eb Gb A C Eb Gb A C Eb
DRAW   D F Ab B D F Ab B D F
BEND    Db E G Bb Db E G Bb Db E

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Pat Missin, Alternate Tuning List

6.8 - KNIRI TUNING 221 (Kniri Knaus)

BLOW C E G Bb D F Ab C Eb Gb
HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DRAW D F A C Eb G Bb Db F Ab

6.8a - KNIRI TUNING 1222 (Kniri Knaus)

BLOW C Eb G Bb D F A C E G
HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DRAW Db F Ab C Eb G Bb D F A

6.8c - KNIRI TUNING 222 (Kniri Knaus)

BLOW C Eb G Bb Db F Ab B Eb Gb
HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DRAW D F A C Eb G Bb Db F Ab

6.8d - SPIRAL BLUES (Kniri Knaus - not actually a Spiral Tuning)

BLOW C E G Bb C E G Bb C EH
HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DRAW Eb Gb Ab C Eb Gb Ab C Eb Gb

6.8e - SPIRAL BLUES ALT (Kniri Knaus - also not actually a Spiral Tuning)

BLOW C Eb Gb Ab C Eb Gb Ab C Eb
HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DRAW C E G Bb C E G Bb C E

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Links:

Scale Finder Seydel Harp Congfigurator
Pat Missin, Alternate Tuning List
Harmonica-Spiral-Tuning-Kniri-221

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further ideas :

"Kniri 1122..."  steps 1122.1122.1122........6.Modus
For 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica

Scale......C/Db/D/E/Gb/G/Ab/Bb/C/Db/D/E/Gb/G/Ab/Bb/C/Db/D/E.......
8-Tone Scale Messian Mode 6 "1495" Ian Ring.

blow: C D Gb Ab C D Gb Ab C D
hole:  1 2  3   4  5  6  7  8   9 10
draw: Db E G Bb Db E G Bb Db E
bend:        Eb,  A,       Eb,    A,      Eb.
missing notes: F and B

                     D7            D b5          Ab7           Ab b5
Chords  blow:  C D Gb----D Gb Ab----Gb Ab C----Ab C  D
Chords draw:   Db E G----E G Bb-----G Bb Db-----Bb Db E
                      Db dim     E dim         G dim          Bb dim

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"Kniri 2211..."  steps 2211.2211.2211.......(6.Modus)
For 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica

Scale......C/D/E/F/Gb/Ab/Bb/B/C/D/E/F/Gb/Ab/Bb/B/C/D/E/F........
Messian Mode 6 Inverse 3445 Ian Ring

blow: C E Gb Bb C E Gb Bb C E 
hole:  1 2 3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
draw: D F Ab B D  F Ab B  D  F
bend:  Db,   G,     Db    G,       Db
missing notes: Eb and A

                     C b5          Gb7           Gb b5         C 7  
Chords  blow:  C E Gb----E Gb Bb----Gb Bb C----Bb C  E
Chords draw:   D F Ab----F Ab B------Ab B  D----B D F
                      D dim       F dim         Ab dim      B dim

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"Kniri 2112..."    steps 2112.2112.2112......(6.Modus)
For 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica.

Scale ..... C/D/Eb/E/Gb/Ab/A/Bb/C/D/Eb/E/Gb/Ab/A/Bb/C/D/Eb/E.....
Saptyllic 1885 Ian Ring

blow: C Eb Gb A C Eb Gb A C Eb
hole:  1 2  3   4  5  6  7   8  9 10
draw: D E  Ab Bb D E Ab Bb D E
bend:  Db,    G,       Db,    G,     Db
missing notes : F and B

                       C dim       Eb dim       Gb dim      A dim
Chords  blow:  C Eb Gb----Eb Gb A----Gb A C----A C  Eb
Chords  draw:   D E Ab----E Ab Bb----Ab Bb D---Bb D E
                        E7            E b5        Bb7         Bb b5

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"Kniri 1221..."    steps 1221.1221.1221.......(6.Modus)
For 10-Hole Diatonic Harmonica.

Scale ..... C/Db/Eb/F/Gb/G/A/B/C/Db/Eb/F/Gb/G/A/B/C/Db/Eb/F.....
Van Der Horst Octatonic 2795 Ian Ring

blow: C Eb Gb A C Eb Gb A C Eb
hole:  1 2  3   4  5  6  7  8  9 10
draw: Db F G B  Db F G  B  Db F
bend:       E,    Bb,      E,    Bb,     E
missing notes: D and Ab
 

                       C dim       Eb dim       Gb dim      A dim
Chords  blow:   C Eb Gb----Eb Gb A----Gb A C----A C  Eb
Chords  draw:   Db F G-----F G  B-----G B Db-----B Db F
                        Db b5        G7           G b5         Db7

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Spiral Tuning "Kniri 211" steps 211.211.211.........3.Modus

Scale: C D Eb E Gb G Ab Bb B C D Eb E Gb G Ab Bb B C D

Nine Tone Scale Messian Mode 3 Inverse "3549" Ian Ring

Layout

Blow: C Eb Gb Ab B D  E  G  Bb C
Holes: 1 2  3  4   5 6   7  8   9 10
Draw: D E  G  Bb C Eb Gb Ab B  D
Bend: Db--   --A----  -F------------- -Db

Chords

Blow: C Eb Gb Ab B D E G Bb C.......C dim/Ab7
Blow: C Eb Gb Ab B D E G Bb C.......Ab dim/E7
Blow: C Eb Gb Ab B D E G Bb C........Edim/C7

Chords

Draw: D E G Bb C Eb Gb Ab B D........Edim/C7
Draw: D E G Bb C Eb Gb Ab B D........C dim/Ab7
Draw: D E G Bb C Eb Gb Ab B D........Ab dim/E7

3. Mode

The third mode is based on the major third division of the octave
and divides the major third, the nucleus of the mode, into a whole tone
and two semitones; it can be transposed four times.
In the language used here by Olivier Messiaen
The shape starting from C with the whole tone step already applies
as the 1st transposition. In numerical form, this mode looks like this:
211211211 and has two reversals (112112112 and 121121121)

Spiral Tuning "Kniri 121" steps 121.121.121.....(3.Modus)

9-Tone Scale: C Db Eb E F G Ab A B C Dd Eb E F G Ab A B C Db
Ian Ring.Scale 3003 Genus Chromaticum

Layout

Blow: C Eb F Ab B Db E G A C
Holes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Draw: Db E G A C Eb F Ab B Db
Bend:        Gb,       D,          Bb

Chords

Blow: C Eb F Ab B Db E G A C....Db7/Fdim
Blow: C Eb F Ab B Db E G A C....A7/Dbdim
Blow: C Eb F Ab B Db E G A C....F7/(Adim)

Draw: Db E G A C Eb F Ab B Db....A7/Dbdim
Draw: Db E G A C Eb F Ab B Db....F7/Adim
Draw: Db E G A C Eb F Ab B Db....Db7/Fdim

Spiral Tuning "Kniri 112" steps 112.112.112.....(3.Modus)

9-Tone Scale: C Db D E F Gb Ab A Bb C Db D E F Gb Ab A Bb C Db D E F Gb
Ian Ring.Scale 1911 Messian Mode 3

Layout

Blow: C  D  F  Ab Bb Db E Gb A  C  D   F
Holes: 1 2  3   4   5  6  7  8   9 10 11 12
Draw: Db E Gb A  C  D   F Ab Bb Db E Gb
Bend:     Eb,         B,           G,            Eb

Chords

Blow: C D F Ab Bb Db E Gb A C D F.......Ddim/Bb7
Blow: C D F Ab Bb Db E Gb A C D F.......Bbdim/Gb7
Blow: C D F Ab Bb Db E Gb A C D F...... Gbdim/D7

Draw: Db E Gb A C D F Ab Bb Db E Gb...Gbdim/D7
Draw: Db E Gb A C D F Ab Bb Db E Gb....Ddim/Bb7
Draw: Db E Gb A C D F Ab Bb Db E Gb....Bbdim/Gb7

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9-Tone Tuning 1981  Kniri Knaus  03.11.2019

Scale: F, G Ab A Bb C C D Eb E F G Ab A Bb C C D Eb E

Nine Tone Scale 1981 "Houseini" Ian Ring

Symmetric Steps: 2 1 1 1 2 0 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 2 1 1

Blow: F Ab Bb C Eb F Ab Bb C Eb  (Fm11, Ab6/9, Bb9sus4, Cm7#5)
Draw: G  A  C  D  E  G  A   C  D   E  (Am11, C6/9, C add2,6, D9sus4)
Bend: Gb----B Db----Gb-----B Db

(with bendings full chromatic !)

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Blues Scale II Tuning (A)     = Bb6-Bebop

Blow:   Bb D  F  G Bb D  F  G Bb D  (Bb6 , Gm7)
Hole:   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
Draw:  C Eb Gb A C Eb Gb A C Eb   (C/Eb/Gb/A dim7)
Bend:  B        Ab, B         Ab,B

8-Tone Blues Scale II  Ian Ring

Bb, C, D, Eb, F, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb,

Symmetric Steps 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1

Blues Scale II Tuning (B)  

Blow:  C Eb Gb A C Eb Gb A C Eb    (C/Eb/Gb/A dim7)
Hole:   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
Draw:  D  F  G Bb D  F  G Bb D F    (Bb6 , Gm7)
Bend:  Db,E        Db,E         Db,E

8-Tone Blues Scale II  Ian Ring

C, D, Eb, F, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F

Symmetric Steps 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2

Major Bebop Tuning  = C6-Bebop

Blow:  C  E  G  A C  E  G A  C  E    (C6, Am7)
Hole:   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
Draw:  D  F Ab B D  F Ab B  D  F    (D/F/Ab/B dim7)
Bend:  Db,       Bb,Db     Bb,Db

8-Tone Major Bebop Scale 2997 Ian Ring

C, D, E, F, G, Ab, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, Ab, A, B, C, D, E, F

Symmetric Steps 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1

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More ideas for diatonic harmonicas !

"Easy Blues" Tuning  19.11.2019 Kniri

 Richter    Richter   Kniri

A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A/C/Eb        blow   (F-F7)
C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/D/F     draw    (C-C7-Gm7-Bb)
B,Eb,Gb     B, Eb,Gb     Db,E      bendings

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"Simply Blues" Tuning   23.11.2019 Kniri
 

F/A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A/C        blow   (F)
G/C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/D    draw    (C7-Gm)
Gb,B,Eb,Gb   B, Eb,Gb   Db      bendings

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"3 Times Blues" Tuning  "Lucky13"   26.11.2019 Kniri

  Richter    Richter    Richter

F/A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A         blow   (F)
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13
G/C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb   draw    (C7)
Gb,B,Eb,Gb   B, Eb,Gb    B, Eb,Gb        bendings

"3 Times Blues" 12 Hole Tuning  19.11.2019 Kniri
3 Times Richter 2-5 
 

 Richter    Richter    Richter

A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A         blow   (F)
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12
C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb   draw    (C7)
B,Eb,Gb     B, Eb,Gb     B, Eb,Gb        bendings

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"Richter-Kniri" 12 Hole Tuning   19.11.2019 Kniri

  Richter         Kniri 221

F/A/C/F/A/C/D/F/A/C/Eb/G        blow   (F-F6-Dm7-F7-Cm)
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12
G/C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab    draw    (C-C7-Gm7-Bb7)
Gb,B,Eb,Gb       Eb,Gb    Db,E         bendings

"Easy Blues" 12 Hole Tuning   19.11.2019 Kniri
2 Times Richter 2-5 + Kniri 221
 

 Richter    Richter     Kniri 221

F/A/C/F/A/A/C/F/A/C/Eb/G          blow   (F-F7, Cm)
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12
G/C/E/G/Bb/C/E/G/Bb/D/F/Ab     draw    (C-C7-Gm7-Bb7)
Gb,B,Eb,Gb    B, Eb,Gb   Db,E         bendings

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