arzajac
699 posts
Dec 12, 2011
6:32 PM
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I'm thinking of making a freely-distributed (anyone can copy, edit and pass it on) harmonica pamphlet.
Most of the time, the sheet that comes with a harp is completely useless. It may show the tabs for a very simple song, but it does not usually offer any information that can really help someone get started. It usually wastes a lot of space promoting other products from the manufacturer. Hence the idea of making a really useful one that is non-vendor specific. I'm thinking one two-sided 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch page.
Off the bat, I'm thinking it should have the note and chord layout (including overbends) as well as the tab to a simple song. Perhaps a paragraph on bending notes. I think it would be easy to include a few major and minor pentatonic scales in common positions as well as the blues scale in second position.
When I fist bought a harmonica, I borrowed a book or two from the library, but probably only found one or two pages/diagrams of any use in the first few weeks. It took me a few more weeks to stumble upon the name "Gussow" along with "YouTube".
Any comments, ideas or suggestions? What tidbit of information did you find really helpful when you first bought a harp?
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STME58
53 posts
Dec 12, 2011
6:54 PM
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I like the idea of including scales. How about something on harp selection for key? A chart or a circle of fifths for chosing the harp foar a key. This could tie in with the scales if you are clever.
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groyster1
1629 posts
Dec 12, 2011
6:59 PM
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very little bought some books where you learned swanee river thro blow and draw arrows bought bob dylans book played hey tambourine man tony glovers blues harp book introduced me to cross harp,third and 4th position which is now 5th position jon gindicks book in the early 80s was helpful
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nacoran
5035 posts
Dec 12, 2011
7:50 PM
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A disclaimer at the bottom:
Playing this instrument at a show without being invited up on stage, or pushing your way up on stage uninvited will lead to social ostracism and incontinence. (Actually, having to have the harmonica removed from your bum will cause the incontinence.)
And a circle of fifths (simplified, no need for key signatures to confuse the news.)
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Nate
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arzajac
701 posts
Dec 13, 2011
9:51 AM
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I reckon going from the simple, more immediate needs to more complicated "I'll save this sheet and refer back to it in a few weeks" topics is the way to go.
Maybe broken up into sections, each with an illustration? What do you think?
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- Note layout, blow and draw.
- Chords
- Embouchure
- Tongue blocking and Puckering (lip pursing)
- A simple tune. (That's the graphic illustration for this section)
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- Circle of fifths and harp keys
- Positions, major with natural minors
- Circle of fifths illustration.
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- Bending notes
- Overbends
- Some general information about gaping and other optimisation techniques. Back in the day, there was no internet, let alone YouTube. Here we could reference some youtube videos.
- Scales with graphical representations
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- 12-bar Blues progression
- 12 bars of a popular Blues staple, like Juke with both chords and harp tab.
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- A list of other areas to explore, such as tremolo, hand effects, warbles, etc...
- A list of internet resources
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groyster1
1630 posts
Dec 13, 2011
9:57 AM
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@arzajac
the list looks very useful your imagination serves you very well
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tookatooka
2602 posts
Dec 13, 2011
11:22 AM
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I wish I was told how to hold it. I started holding with my right hand and have never been able to change.
Oh yes! And the numbers should be at the top.
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Last Edited by on Dec 13, 2011 11:23 AM
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Jim Rumbaugh
616 posts
Dec 13, 2011
2:31 PM
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@tooka
I too have the right hand curse. (But I have come to the conclusion, It serves me good whe playing 3rd position on 4hole and higher)
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
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clyde
187 posts
Dec 13, 2011
3:44 PM
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arzajac,
i like your idea very much. remember the k.i.s.s. system. i think you might already have gone from a page to a book. and there are plenty of those
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arzajac
702 posts
Dec 13, 2011
6:22 PM
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I appreciate all your comments and suggestions - please keep them coming.
Clyde, good point. I do want to keep it simple.
However, if once I am done, someone wanted to remix this work into a booklet so as to better suit their needs, they would be able to.
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