Subject: Re: Gregorian Modes...was Re: [Harp-L] . "Take the A Train" Video

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Definitely correct. I'm just a reg'lar ordinary harmonica player and I  
don't think in terms of harpalodian, plinkalodian, pieintheskydian,  dodoian 
mode or whatever everyone else is talking about. ;) Languages I  grasp. Math 
is easy. Modes(?) make my eyes glaze over. Go figure. I don't  'think' of 
anything at all when I'm playing--other than the song/voice/tune  I'm focusing 
on inside my head and trying to make  come out the intrument as pleasantly 
as possible.
 
 
I'm quite aware I'm not of the same caliber of the many educated  musical 
readers here--but since I play the music that's most appealing to  me (and 
having a whole lot of fun and enjoyment doing so purely as an amateur of  
course)...and others seem to enjoy what I'm doing more and more, that's all I  
find important. Ymmv and I'm certainly not dissing anyone who takes it a lot  
more seriously than I do. We don't all have to think alike. There's a ton  
of room for all levels of harp players in this world, I'd think.
 
 
Incidentally, Amazing Grace sounds pretty darn good on chromatic AND  it's 
one of those few songs I can also play on diatonic without  feeling 
completely inadequate by comparison to the great diatonic players  I've heard. Jason 
Ricci's Live performance of it however, still remains (to  me) the most 
extraordinary and moving version ever.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVI9DCspYro
 
Thanks to Garry Hodgson for filming/recording so much of Jason for  us.
 
Elizabeth 
 
"Message: 8
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 10:57:38 -0400 (EDT)
From:  philharpn@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Gregorian Modes...was Re: [Harp-L] . "Take the  A Train"
Question (robert)
To: michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx,  harmonicat@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx

I think most people play  songs without regard to what scale or mode they 
are based on.


Most  people don't even know that Amazing Grace is based on the pentatonic 
scale --  and it doesn't affect their playing. But it does explain why the 
common form of  the tune can be played in First, Second and 12th position 
without bends. It also  can be played WITH bends too. 


Keep on harpin
Phil"