Re: [Harp-L] diatonic tablature for the chromatic scale

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

To use any std-to-tab conversion system, the user must know some things 
about reading music to correctly interpret std notation.  I refer to the 
rules for how sharp, flat, and natural signs in the key signature and in the 
same measure apply.  For those that do not read music, there is no 
indication on the staff that the signs apply to other octaves or to 
non-adjacent notes in the same measure.  For example, the non-reader may 
miss the # for C above and below the staff in the key of D...etc.

I don't see any other way around this but for the user to memorize these 
rules.  This is an unavoidable first step in the dreaded task of learning to 
read.

Music-notation software makes it easy to transpose a song in any key to any 
other key.  The diatonic player can choose among 11 keys of harmonicas.  I 
propose that a person learn to read only on a C diatonic.  Then he can 
choose a combination of keys for the sheet music and the diatonic harp that 
would use only a single pattern of . hole-blow/draw/bend.  Thus learning to 
read for the diatonic would be about as easy as learning to read on a C 
chromatic.  The advantage is that he can learn only one hole-blow/draw-bend 
pattern and use it on a harp of any key.  It also handles playing in 
positions.

In this way the diatonic player can avail himself of all the advantages of 
std notation such as timing and the analogy of altitude on the staff to 
pitch ....without having to learn separate hole-b/d/bend for each key of 
harp.

Example:  I have a piece in D that goes down to A3, below the range of my 
12-hole C chromatic.  I transposed it to G on paper, play it on a G 
chromatic (while thinking C chromatic) and the concert key is D.  Thus I did 
not have to learn a different pattern of hole-blow/draw-slide actions for 
the G harp.   Another way of saying this is that by transposing sheet music, 
I can think C-harp while playing a G-harp.

This isn't rocket science. Arrangers do this kind of thing routinely for 
players of transposing wind instruments. The difference is that they don't 
have access to as many keys of transposing instruments as does the harmonica 
player.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Philharpn@xxxxxxx>
To: <mmolino54@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] diatonic tablature for the chromatic scale


> Remarkably well done job. Not only do they do the job, they look nice too.
>
> Now nobody has any excuse for being unable to convert musical notation 
> into
> harmonica tablature. Diatonic or chromatic -- of chromatic diatonic.
>
> Takes all the busywork out of the task.
>
> Phil Lloyd
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 6/4/08 11:18:43 AM, mmolino54@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
>
> > When I first picked up the diatonic 2 years ago, I was trying to learn 
> > the
> > layout and relearn how to read music, so I created some visuals/guides I
> > thought might help me. I don't know if these are helpful to anyone else, 
> > but they
> > don't do any good if no one sees them so here they are:
> >
> > Musical Notation and Diatonic Harmonica Tab for Natural Notes
> > http://www.harptabs.com/displayfile.php?ID=21
> >
> > Chromatic Music Scale Diatonic Harmonica Tab (Key of
> > C)http://www.harptabs.com/displayfile.php?ID=22
> >
> > Diatonic Harmonica Tab 
> > Rulershttp://www.harptabs.com/displayfile.php?ID=31
> >
> > -MarcThe RP Muse Blog ~ Highlighting local arts & culture. Submissions
> > welcomed.http://therpmuse.blogspot.com
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Search that pays you back! Introducing Live Search cashback.
> > http://search.live.com/cashback/?&;
> > pkw=form=MIJAAF/publ=HMTGL/crea=srchpaysyouback_______________________________________________
> > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> > Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>
>
>
>
> **************
> Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with
> Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
>      (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?&amp;
> NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l