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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Maybe all you need is 5 harmonicas in 1/2 steps
Maybe all you need is 5 harmonicas in 1/2 steps
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Jim Rumbaugh
200 posts
Apr 28, 2010
6:34 PM
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I cary A,Bd,C,D,E(sometimes),F,& G. The singers in a country band that I have played with have been calling for some less common keys like C# and Ad and F#. Out of "necessity" I have learned and been delighted with major pentatonic scales in 12th position .
I now plan to buy a B and C# harp to fill my gaps. I also see where with 5 harps I could play most of my major scale tunes.
example with harps A, Bd , B, C, C#
12th position D...Eb..E...F...F#
straight harp A...Bd..B...C...C#
cross harp... E...F...F#..G...Ad
That's my self taught-thought of the week. It could be done with any 5 harps in 1/2 steps. like G through B could do the same
Last Edited by on Apr 28, 2010 6:35 PM
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harpdude61
117 posts
Apr 29, 2010
6:33 AM
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I've wondered about this kind of thing. Sometimes I grap 3 or 4 random harps out of the case to play on my commute to work. I'll put in a Etta James CD or something bluesy, grab a harp and try to find a position it works in. Usually one of the harps works in some position.
My positions of choice are first,second, third, and fifth. The root notes just sound more solid to me.
To me a great practice tool is to put in some blues and instead of digging thru all the harp trying 2 hole draw, try to find the root note on the first harp you grab. Once you do this, think where this note relates to the harp you are looking for.
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nacoran
1775 posts
Apr 29, 2010
11:03 AM
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The more positions you know the fewer harps you need, but if you're willing to carry just 6 harps spread out evenly around the circle of fifths you can get by in 1st and 2nd. If you add 12th you should be able to do it with 4. If you really want to get ambitious, but don't want a chromatic, try shuffling a C and C# to get all your notes!
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Nate
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Jim Rumbaugh
201 posts
Apr 29, 2010
2:41 PM
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@Nacoran "If you add 12th you should be able to do it with 4."
I thought 4 would do it, until I drew the chart. It took 5 for me to get all of the keys. I do wonder if there is a combo of 4 that will do all 12 keys. I have not seen it yet, but I did not try very hard either. 5 harps in 1/2 steps is easy for me to keep straight.
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