Mahcks
67 posts
Jul 14, 2016
7:07 AM
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I always thought that the blues scale was 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7 1. I just watched a video of a piano player claiming that was wrong and that the actual blues scale is 1 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 6 b7 7 1. What gives? Is he just adding notes for the sake of the progression?
https://youtu.be/pmKgAOsZ2rI
Last Edited by Mahcks on Jul 14, 2016 7:07 AM
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The Iceman
2928 posts
Jul 14, 2016
7:31 AM
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Winslow posts about this particular blues scale in the major pentatonic thread.
This is the problem with labeling a sequence of notes as a scale. So many interpretations.
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The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Jul 14, 2016 7:31 AM
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Owen Evans
163 posts
Jul 14, 2016
7:46 AM
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@Mahcks - Music theory can certainly be confusing.
First off, you have a lot of choices on the harmonica to play the blues scale. Let's take the most popular being 2nd position or 'cross harp' - 2; 3'; 4+; 4'; 4; 5; 6+
Or you can play the blues scale in 3rd position - 4; 5; 6+; 6'; 6; 7+; 8 .
These are in order: root(I); flat 3rd; four (IV); flat 5th; five(V); flat7th; octave(root)
The oft forgotten 1st position blues scale is: 1+; 2+; 2"; 2'; 2; 3' 4+.
(the 2+ is the third not the flat third so it needs to be used judiciously)
My notation is: +=blow note; 3=draw note; 3'=half step bend; 3"=whole step bend and 3"'=one & one half step bend
Not to confuse the issue, but you can play the blues scale all over the harp in different positions. For this you'll need to learn "all" the bends.
I trust that this will be useful for you.
Last Edited by Owen Evans on Jul 14, 2016 7:47 AM
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Sundancer
7 posts
Jul 14, 2016
1:39 PM
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Owen - your post was useful to me. Gracias.
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Owen Evans
164 posts
Jul 14, 2016
8:20 PM
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@Sundancer - de nada
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timeistight
2018 posts
Jul 15, 2016
9:22 AM
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Like Wikipedia staysailThe term blues scale refers to several different scales with differing numbers of pitches and related characteristics.
I think the six-note scale you list gained popularity because a beginner can play it over all three chords of a blues progression without sounding too bad.
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MindTheGap
1705 posts
Jul 15, 2016
9:52 AM
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Winslow recommended this book a while ago when this was discussed. As the blurb says it's about the Major and Minor blues scales.
http://www.shermusic.com/new/1883217385.shtml
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jul 15, 2016 9:59 AM
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WinslowYerxa
1176 posts
Jul 15, 2016
10:28 AM
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That book, "The Blues Scales, Essential Tools for Jazz Improvisation," takes a highly structured approach to the two six-note blues scales (really just minor and major modes of the same scale) and introduces them first with strict rules as to when to use which one, then starts mixing and overlaying them and easing up on the at-first strict rules. It has plenty of examples and analysis of actual usage by famous soloists.
My feelings about this approach are mixed. On one hand, it gives a clear basis for evaluating when to use a particular set of notes. On the other hand, actual musicians - at least the ones we admire and emulate, and whose work is he basis for trying to figure this stuff out - probably didn't learn this way, just as Little Walter didn't learn from tabbed out transcriptions of Sonny Boy I.
Still, just reading and playin some of the licks and lines in the book reveals some cool possibilities. (It's in standard music notation for all instruments, and does not have harmonica tab.)
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Winslow
Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
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Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Jul 15, 2016 10:29 AM
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MindTheGap
1707 posts
Jul 15, 2016
11:19 AM
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I don't care how I find out about or learn to do a thing. They didn't have access to Blues Harmonica for Dummies either :)
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jul 15, 2016 11:20 AM
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timeistight
2019 posts
Jul 15, 2016
1:36 PM
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"Still, just reading and playin some of the licks and lines in the book reveals some cool possibilities. (It's in standard music notation for all instruments, and does not have harmonica tab.)"
If anyone wants to pick this book, I'd recommend getting the Eb version. It has all its examples notated in G or D (instead of Bb or F in the concert key edition) which makes them easier to read. You can play along with the included CD in second or third position on an Eb harp.
Last Edited by timeistight on Jul 15, 2016 7:12 PM
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hvyj
3079 posts
Jul 15, 2016
10:10 PM
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@timeistight: excellent recommendation
I've had this book for a while. I like it. To a certain extent, it covered a lot stuff I already knew and was already doing. But also a stimulating source for new ideas and approaches. For example, trying to figure out why some of the structured (and to look a certain extent counterintuitive) recommendations work on a musical basis was a catalyst for rethinking some things I'd gotten complacent about.
Also the analysis of great solos was very helpful to me since I am very inconsistent in my ability to transcribe by ear. A useful little book IMHO.
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