jaymcc28
277 posts
Jun 04, 2010
7:51 AM
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After watching Adam's lesson on "Harmony for Improvisation" I'm trying to think in terms of scale degrees. I've been working on the exercises he has in the lesson and I'm also working with some of the riffs I'm familiar with.
However, I'm not sure how to express some of the bent notes in terms of scale degrees. Particularly, if I'm playing a bent 4 draw on the I cord, what scale degree is it representing?
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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HarpNinja
490 posts
Jun 04, 2010
7:54 AM
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From second position you are bending the 5 down a half step...so it is a flat 5.
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mr_so&so
321 posts
Jun 04, 2010
7:57 AM
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jaymcc28, you might find these charts helpful (free download):
http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/4989005-harmonica-positions-pdf
(which also has some essential music theory for harpists).
Or, this updated version with full chromatic scales:
http://www.box.net/shared/yn8199tvb7
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2010 8:01 AM
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jaymcc28
278 posts
Jun 04, 2010
8:14 AM
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@HarpNinja: Thanks Mike. Now that you say it that way (bending the 5th) it makes sense.
@Mr_so&so: Just downloaded that...lots of good stuff. Thanks!
EDIT: And, yes, I should have mentioned that I'm talking 2nd position.
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2010 8:15 AM
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sorin
174 posts
Jun 04, 2010
9:16 AM
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jay you might wanna check out my chart in this Thread , all the way to the bottom is an updated version .
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jaymcc28
279 posts
Jun 04, 2010
1:40 PM
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@Sorin: BINGO. I was actually working on the same type of chart so you've saved me a lot of work!
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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jaymcc28
280 posts
Jun 04, 2010
1:51 PM
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@Kudzu: Adam, one of the reasons I was asking about this is that I'm working on some of the riffs from the beginners lessons and trying to move them up to the higher end of the harp. So, looking at Sorin's chart there's no flat fifth in 2nd position in the second octave?
I think the lesson (I don't have it in front of me) that I thought would be cool to try up higher is the first riffs from "Way Down In The Delta".
Jay
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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LeeEdwards
62 posts
Jun 04, 2010
1:55 PM
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@jaymcc28 - The 7OD will give you the Flat 5th in the 2nd Octave.
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"You will never get every possible thing out of an instrument, but the instrument will get every possible thing out of you" - Ray Charles.
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jaymcc28
281 posts
Jun 04, 2010
1:58 PM
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@Lee: Thanks...I think...lol. I'm nowhere near ready to think about adding overblows/overdraws to my bag of tricks but at least it makes sense that the note is there SOMEWHERE, right?
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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hvyj
388 posts
Jun 04, 2010
3:38 PM
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Here's a little secret: you can play blues on the high end in second position using the mixolydian mode and it sounds fine. How? Just play the notes that are there with blues phrasing. No bends or OBs required.
Mixolydian mode is the do-re-mi scale with a flat 7th. second position gives you mixolydian mode without having to bend or OB. Flat 7th is 9 draw, root is 9 blow. Start there. 8 draw is major 5th. 7 draw is major 3rd (which WILL work playing blues as an alternative note or change of pace). Of course blow 6 is root. But you can hit the other high end notes, too.
Okay, when you want to connect the upper and lower octaves, hit draw 6 (9th) and blow 5 (6th) to bridge the upper and lower registers instead of draw 5 (flat 7th) and blow 6. Try it--it flows, it's melodic, it breaks you out of rigid blues scale musical ideas and makes your blues playing more sophisticated. And, technically, it's relatively easy.
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2010 3:52 PM
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jaymcc28
282 posts
Jun 04, 2010
9:58 PM
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@hvyj: Wow! Lots of stuff to think about. The switching of 6b - 5d with 6d - 5b sounds interesting. Kids are asleep so I'll have to try in the morning.
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"Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
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