Bugsy
7 posts
Sep 21, 2011
11:36 AM
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I usually practice harmy every day, but whenever I practice I mostly just honk around. I figured I need to practice something that will actually help me since I feel like I am not improving much.
I was hoping that you could tell me some important scales to practice, perhaps in different positions, or anything else you find useful. I remember I saw a thread containing scales on here, but I don't know which ones I should learn first or anything.
I already know the blues scale (in 2nd position) from -2 to 6, but that is about it.
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Honkin On Bobo
786 posts
Sep 21, 2011
11:44 AM
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Where are you, hvyj? The man needs help.
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timeistight
144 posts
Sep 21, 2011
11:51 AM
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It depends. Do you overblow and overdraw well?
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Tommy the Hat
326 posts
Sep 21, 2011
11:52 AM
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http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/1829110.htm
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Tommy
Bronx Mojo
Last Edited by on Sep 21, 2011 11:54 AM
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Bugsy
8 posts
Sep 21, 2011
12:52 PM
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@timeistight- No, I don't overblow/draw at all. I figured I would get around to that once I was decent.
Maybe I should have mentioned that.
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JInx
61 posts
Sep 21, 2011
12:53 PM
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Start on the 5 draw and proceed up down and around. Listen for british folky sounds. Let the music be your master and let your garden grow.
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geordiebluesman
458 posts
Sep 21, 2011
1:08 PM
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Hi Bugsy i was feeling like you a couple of months back this is how i got back on course.
Each day i practise a box shuffle i got off Dan Gage on You Tube i start with the core structure then improvise round it going off on tangents then coming back to the shuffle, it's great practice and great fun.
I practice mixing single notes with chords, playing a riff and trying to accompany myself within a grove created with the chords.
I have got the Amazing Slowdowner and i am using it to study King King by the Red Devils, this is a live album absolutly packed full of excellent catchy but doable harp riffs.
I am SLOWLY trying to introduce a bit of tounge blocking and octaves into my playing.
Lastly get a copy of Rik Estrins harmonica DVD it is Great and an absolute Laugh Riot!
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timeistight
145 posts
Sep 21, 2011
1:13 PM
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The major scale in first doesn't require any overblows. You need a couple of draw bends in the first octave and a tricky blow bend in the third.
The third-position major scale gives some good bending practice in the first octave. You'd need overblows after that. Michael Rubin just did a you tube video on that one.
You can also get a one octave major scale in twelth without overblows.
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RyanMortos
1137 posts
Sep 21, 2011
1:15 PM
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Complete the 2nd position blues scale. You're missing half the first octave & all of the 3rd octave when you practice 2-6.
Complete 2nd position blues scale (not including overblows & overdraws) is:
(Key: + is blow, - is draw, ' is half step bend)
1+, 1-', 1-, 2-'', 2-, 3-', 4+, 4-', 4-, 5-, 6+, 7+, 8-, 9-, 9+, 10+'', 10+
After that 3rd position scale & 1st position scale. Look up Michael Rubin's Meat & Potatoes on YouTube, he goes over plenty of scales.
(edit: oops missed an important note!)
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Steven Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
Last Edited by on Sep 21, 2011 4:56 PM
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arzajac
665 posts
Sep 21, 2011
1:50 PM
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I found this on hvyj's profile page:
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hvyj
1791 posts
Sep 21, 2011
3:04 PM
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Okay, if you click on my profile there's tab for the 6 pentatonic scales arzajac has diagrammed.
Other useful scales include:
Top to bottom MAJOR pentatonic scale for second position through 2 full octaves:
D2/B3 D3** D3 4D 5B 6B 6D 7D 8D 8B 9B. Add D10 for a 9th if you like.
Major pentatonic scale in degrees of the scale is root, 2, 3, 5 6, root. Sometimes called the "country scale" it's also used in some R&B tunes.
Mixolydian scale, second position upper register:
B6 D6 D7 B7 D8 B8 D9 B9. This is a do-re-mi scale with a flat 7th and can be used for variety when playing blues. You can add D10 for for a 9th. U
Second position blues scale:
D2/B3 D3* B4 D4* D4 D5 B6 In degrees of the scale this is root 3b 4 5b 5 7b root. You can add 2D** on the low end for 7b in the lower register.
Third position blues scale:
D4 D5 B6 D6* D6 B7 D8. You can add 4B for 7b on the low end.
First position do-re-mi scale:
B4 D4 B5 D5 B6 D6 D7 B7. Note breath shift at hole 7.
Fifth position blues scale:
B2 D2/B3 D3** D3* D3 D4 B5
Fourth position blues scale:
D6 B7 D8 B8* B8 B9 D10
Enough for now. No OBs required for any of these..
Last Edited by on Sep 21, 2011 3:12 PM
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Diggsblues
1008 posts
Sep 21, 2011
6:43 PM
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Check the archive for Todd Parrott's scale studies
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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LittleVillage
27 posts
Sep 22, 2011
9:20 AM
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hvyj, any recorded material of you floating around out there in cyber space?
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hvyj
1793 posts
Sep 22, 2011
10:07 AM
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A friend of mine recorded a performance of one of his original tunes called "Maybe Reggae" when i sat in with one of his bands last year. It is in G natural minor so i played an Eb harp in 5th position. I'd never played the tune before, so at a couple of points i hit some double stops that were ill-advised and didn't fit the chords particularly well, and because of my unfamiliarity with the tune (and the fact that a trombone player and guitar player were also sitting in), I was playing pretty conservatively.
If you want to listen, go here: http://www.vytas.devicegroup.com/audio.php
You have to hit the drop down down menu and go to 2010 Vytas and his Eclectic Outfit Manhattans 0709 and click on the second track, "Maybe Reggae." Now that I know this tune I play it a little differently these days. I played on other tunes that night, but i don't think they were all recorded. But I think i may also be on another tune in that same playlist.
There used to be a vid of me playing on "Jean Pierre" using pedal board electronics that was on the Facebook page of another bandleader whose band I played with at an outdoor concert, but it's not there anymore. Not sure where it went.
My band keeps talking about making some promo recordings to post. If we ever actually get around to finding time to do it, I'll let you know.
I don't claim to be a terrific harp player or anything. But I think I've figured out how to get around on the instrument more or less competently in different positions and styles--some better than others. I am pretty comfortable playing in minor keys, though.
Last Edited by on Sep 22, 2011 10:16 AM
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