walkindownthetracks
1 post
Oct 30, 2013
11:19 AM
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Trying to cross harp the sax solo. Can't figure out what key to play. Have a box of Lee Oskars. Help!
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STME58
569 posts
Oct 30, 2013
12:09 PM
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In that situation I would use my favorite circle of fifths which I have printed out and posted on my wall
http://www.circleoffifths.com/
This is my favorite circle of fifths because it shows both the relative minor keys and the key signatures.
The chart shows me that Em is the relative minor of G. Both E minor and G have one sharp, F#.That means that a G harp will have all of the notes of the key of E minor. If there are no accidentals in the piece you should be able to find all the notes on G harp. When playing E minor on a G harp the tonic(home note, E in this case) is the 3 draw bend 1/2 step,6 and 10 draw.
To my understanding of the terminology of positions, E minor on a G harp would be 4th position. Playing E minor on a D harp would be third position. A D harp has one more sharp, C#, than the G harp so most of the notes are there, but watch out for that C# (3 and 7 draw)which is not in the key of E minor. When playing 3rd position (E minor on a D harp) the tonic is the 4 and 8 draw.
Minor here refers to natural minor. Harmonic and melodic minor are a bit different. I hope this helps and does not confuse further. If not, I am sure someone else will chime in and we will both learn something.
Last Edited by STME58 on Oct 30, 2013 12:21 PM
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Martin
496 posts
Oct 30, 2013
12:10 PM
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A little more info would be helpful -- but the majority of hits on YT is for a song in Em, w/ Bob Seeger, and at the end there´s an alto coming in.
So I guess that´s the one.
But what do you mean by "trying to cross harp the sax solo"?
Do you want to play it in 2nd position in the same key, "cross harp"?
Then go for an A harmonica.
Or do you want to play it in a more minor friendly position?
Then I´d say a G harp, 5th position would be preferable.
But it´s also a question of skill level. Em on a C harp could be all right; as well as Em on a D harp.
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Pistolcat
555 posts
Oct 30, 2013
1:40 PM
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Fourth position on a G harp ought to do it. That'll give you a nature minor w/o bending from draw six up. The tonic is draw six, draw ten and draw three WHOLE step bend if I may correct stme58. The harp to springsteen's 'the river' is played in fourth on a g harp.
Personally, I prefer third position, D harp. That'll give me a Em chord on draw four to six. I like overblowing the sixth hole better that having the tonic on a bent third draw and avoiding draw seven is fairly easy...
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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STME58
570 posts
Oct 30, 2013
2:08 PM
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@Pistolcat,
Thanks for the correction. I must have been looking at my chart cross-eyed. When I looked again it was clear just as you stated.Now I need to work on getting to the point where I don't have to refer to charts!
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Martin
497 posts
Oct 30, 2013
5:36 PM
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Oops my bad as well, f course it´s 4th (if the OP gives a shit about those things?).
And for soloing on that tune in Em I´d say its the best way to go -- a fuller register available.
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capnj
174 posts
Oct 30, 2013
6:53 PM
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Just for kicks and surprises try your little used B harp for EMinor especially solos.Yeah I go different.Works nice Texas,Louisiana,Type country blues,good stuff.
Last Edited by capnj on Oct 30, 2013 6:58 PM
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Diggsblues
1297 posts
Oct 31, 2013
10:06 AM
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Charlie McCoy uses the relative minor of the Cross a lot
in his teaching materials.
Emile
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walterharp
1205 posts
Oct 31, 2013
12:36 PM
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I think what he was asking is that he wants to recreate the notes on the specific version of the Bob Seeger original that starts with a saxaphone. You can do in on an A harp with one overblow :-) or at that point might be easier to learn to play sax!
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