Probably a stupid question, but as a diatonic harp player,why do I need to know how many sharps or flats are in a scale? Will it help me play better? Just curious.
It is not a stupid question. Once you learn overblows and bends, you can play in any key on any harp. Knowing where they are and knowing the scales can really help you make good note choices. Even if you cannot overblow or have trouble with some bends, knowing the scales can help you make good note choices. Knowing how many sharps can tell you which keys are easy on various harps. For example, on a C harp, playing scales with one or two sharps is easy, but around three sharps it becomes more difficult. Knowing that G and D have 1 and 2 sharps, respectively suggests they are easy keys on a C harp.
hahaha i thought i was the only one that stuck the harmonica out the window of moving car lol! ok wow listing to you michael rubin makes me relize how much i have to learn music theory seems so complicated versus playing. i do some cool stuff on the harmonica but i never think in sharps or flats. i know c scale and penatonic but thats about it. now whats a good way to start learning music theory? i think i know the answer but maybe u know a short cut that can get me a running head start.
I've known how to read the Co5 and how to use it for a couple of things, but lessons 28 and 29 helps me to understand it more and be able to use it for a couple more things.
I have a hunch that in later lessons Michael will show us how to use the knowlege to help with improvisation, but to do so, we'd better learn these lessons reeeeeeel good.
Toxic, I would say start by looking at all 30 of my videos and if you want, private skype lessons.
Tuckster, I thought more about your questions. This particular video about Ab having 8 sharps is really for fun not profit. But knowing the names of the notes in the 12 major scales is valuable if only because it will help you to quickly know the name of the note in any hole on any harp, thereby enabling you to communicate with a musician who does not play harp. Also, many different chords and other scales with different flavors can be created by slightly altering the major scales. There are around 14 types scales and 7 chords I use on a regular basis in what I call pop music (not jazz or classical) There are 12 keys. 12 times 14 is 168, 12 times 7 is 84. That's a lot to memorize. Instead, I have memorized my 12 major scales and the method to alter the scales to find the 13 other types of scales and 7 chords. Much easier. Michael
Thanks,Michael. I've been trying to memorize the notes on a c harp,but my brain doesn't absorb things like it used to. :>) My college age buddy can rattle off the 12 major scales at the drop of a hat. As it is now,when the band members say we play a Bb note here,I have to hear the note to know where it is on my harp. Very frustrating. I know it's a matter of terminology,but if C# major is all sharps,is Db major all flats? Same notes,different names?
I understand what you're saying about this last lesson being just for fun, but it does help illustrate how the rule you described previously actually constitutes a consistent pattern throughout the Co5, even though it doesn't seem to do so at first glance. Personally, I find it easier to understand and memorize something when it has a consistent pattern or rule I can identify.
