Rgsccr
234 posts
Mar 28, 2014
3:06 PM
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My band is doing SRV's "Mary Had A Little Lamb" in E minor, and I have been struggling with what harp to use. I've tried an A (2nd position) and a D (third), neither of which sound real good to me. This may be due to my lack of understanding and limitations as a player, of course. Today I tried playing it on an E harp (1st position), sticking mainly to the low notes and bending the draw notes. To my ear this sounded better, although I don't understand why. Without giving me a course in music theory, could someone explain briefly major vs. minor and what notes go well playing 1st position with a minor key (on a regularly tuned harp).
Hope this makes some sense.
Thanks.
Rich
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timeistight
1532 posts
Mar 28, 2014
3:48 PM
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As far as I know, the blues version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is by Buddy Guy, who played it in E major. Stevie Ray Vaughan's version is pretty much a note-for-note copy except that Vaughan tuned his guitar a half-step flat which puts it in Eb major.
If you're playing along with Vaughan's version, try an Ab harp.
Last Edited by timeistight on Mar 28, 2014 4:00 PM
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jnorem
131 posts
Mar 28, 2014
3:57 PM
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A C harp played in 5th position works great for E minor. Generally, when I hear we're in a minor key, I'll think of the note a major third below the key and bingo! That's what harp I use.
So if you're in A minor, try an F. And so on. Works every time.
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Call me J
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Martin
649 posts
Mar 28, 2014
4:59 PM
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"(...)could someone explain briefly major vs. minor and what notes go well playing 1st position with a minor key (on a regularly tuned harp)."
Minor: think lowered third note. In G: G-A-Bb.
Also frequently lowered sixth note: G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb, and seventh G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb-F
In a blues context that would be the most pertinent guideline (then there´s dorian minor, harmonic minor etc but we´ll skip that; and you´ll find those scales on about a millions places on the net). Weather you should play the lowered sixth note (here: Eb) is a matter of taste: some people think it sounds un-bluesy -- but I ain´t one of them.
Generally, when you´re talking about "playing in first position" that won´t do you much good if you´re playing a minor key tune (which "Mary had a little lamb" is not, as timeistight points out) since you will find three major sounding third notes on your harmonica: 2B, 5B, 8B. But pos 3, 4 and 5, as you appear to have discovered, works fine.
Knowing the difference between major and minor is not equivalent to taking a "course in music theory", but pretty basic.
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SuperBee
1844 posts
Mar 28, 2014
5:19 PM
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Well yeah, I think 5th pos does work well for minor, often better (easier) than 4th...but I also think time is tight is probably right that the song is in Eb rather than Eminor.
I'd try the Ab before the E harp...if the song is in fact in Eb, that (edit: using an E harp) is like 6th position I think, using 3 draw as the root. I mean, you can do it but your arpeggios lay out kinda weird if you don't overblow.
If you stick to the low octave, there are definitely some notes that can work but your phrases look like kinda interesting work...of course if it sounds good, it is good...but I think you may be making things trickier than they need to be...for me at least...
Last Edited by SuperBee on Mar 28, 2014 5:21 PM
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Rustydusty
1 post
Mar 28, 2014
8:45 PM
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If your band is playing in Em, I would personally prefer to play 3rd position on a G harp. I usually use 3rd position for minor keys as it gives me a greater range. (3rd position C is Am, 3rd position F is Gm etc.)
My .02
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dougharps
590 posts
Mar 28, 2014
9:08 PM
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I play this song in 2nd position, and it lays great. Just listen (listen!) to the changes, and hit your bends right so they fit the chords. Don't over think this. You will get it with some practice... and listening.
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Doug S.
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SuperBee
1845 posts
Mar 28, 2014
9:14 PM
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Mm, except you'd use a D harp to play 3rd in Em Rusty Dusty.
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Rgsccr
235 posts
Mar 28, 2014
9:43 PM
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Thanks for all the great replies and explanations. As it turns out, our band is actually playing it in E not E minor, so an A harp in second position should work fine. My problem is I just don't know enough about music and my ear is developing (to be kind) so I just rely on what they tell me, and assume it's right. In this case, it wasn't. I am making progress in that department (ie. developing a better ear), but have a long way to go. As Superbee said, the SRV version I have is in Eb and an Ab harp sounds good with that. I really appreciate everyone chipping in here. Rich
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jnorem
133 posts
Mar 28, 2014
9:47 PM
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It doesn't hurt to learn some basic stuff about music, you know.
Last Edited by jnorem on Mar 28, 2014 9:52 PM
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SuperBee
1847 posts
Mar 29, 2014
2:17 AM
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yes maybe a course in music theory would be a good thing Rich.
if you start from a good place it all comes together pretty easily.
i know it has helped me a lot since i started with next-to-no understanding of theory.
if you want to email me, i could probably share some stuff that might help.
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timeistight
1533 posts
Mar 29, 2014
9:20 AM
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It's even more valuable to develop your ear. Relative babysteps in both areas: if you learn the names of all the notes on just one harmonica, you can use that harmonica like a pitchpipe to figure out song keys. This seems hard to do at first, but it gets easy with a little practice.
And once you learn to do it you'll never have to depend on other people to tell you what harp to play.
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Rgsccr
236 posts
Mar 29, 2014
10:23 AM
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The idea of learning some music theory is a good one - oh, that I had actually paid attention in junior high band - can anyone suggest an online course they like that isn't too detailed? I do have Winslow's book, "Harmonica For Dummies," and have spent a little time (obviously not enough)with that. However, I think I might do better with something online. Anyway, thanks again.
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jnorem
136 posts
Mar 29, 2014
11:22 AM
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This is pretty good:
http://www.musictheory.net/lessons
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Call me J
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Rgsccr
237 posts
Mar 29, 2014
5:06 PM
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Thanks guys - both those sites look good.
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Martin
650 posts
Mar 29, 2014
7:17 PM
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But you gotta understand that fundamentally, knowing the difference between a major/minor third is not a "music theory" matter -- neither in the concrete sense of "seeing" it nor playing it.
It´s very much down to the very basics of Western music itself; and it takes you about 15 min to learn and understand.
Give it that time.
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Suffering Heath
35 posts
Mar 30, 2014
5:22 AM
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I'm pure cross-harp, so whenever I play minor tunes (say, "Ain't No Sunshine", Bill Withers), I absolutely rely on Lee Oskar minor harps. If the tune is in Am, use an Am harp. Really love how they sound - very mournful...
Heath
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http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluesprofessors
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