Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica and Sheet-Music [Updated]

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

So the bottom line is that the C clef really, actually and basically has no bearing on the harmonica. That's what I meant with the expression: "I have no idea what a C clef is or how it might relate to the harmonica." It was a throwaway line. 


The whole issue involved the Mel Bay practice of using the treble clef with middle C starting on hole No 4. The Mel Bay books ALSO include arrow and number tab below the music notation so harmonica players can play the songs by note or number. Because the MelBay 


For those who had never seen this concept, my regrets. But I have taught my Harmonica 101 class for the past 20 years with a Phil Duncan book that does exactly that. Duncan has many other basic and entry level diatonic books -- including Stephen Foster Songs -- that use the system. You an Teach Yourself Harmonica by George Heaps-Nelson and Barbara McClintock Koehler also uses it.


Also, Bill Bay or William Bay (Mel Bay's son) uses that system in Fun with the Harmonica and easiest Harmonica Book uses.


David Barrett, a Mel Bay author who focuses mostly on blues, uses that system in Youth Harmonica Method. However, just about every other book Barrett has written uses blow 1 as C.


To me it makes perfect sense. It is a lot easier for people just starting to read music on the richter harmonica to ignored the first octave with its missing F and A notes and get right to the full diatonic octave starting on hole 4. 


Solo tuned chromatic harmonicas have full octaves, so it makes perfect sense to start with blow 1 as middle C. And I think most of them do. I must have about 10 chromatic books in my archive but I haven't checked them lately.


Thanks to Vern for pointing out that the C clef is not totally worthless for orchestra players -- just to harmonica players.


The Mel Bay idea is to place holes 4-7 (the C scale on the C richter) squarely on the five lines of the treble staff and the leger line below it: C. (And as everyone knows, this tab can be played by any richter major key harmonica by simply following the numbers and ignoring the notes.)


Hope this clears this up. 


Phil
















-----Original Message-----
From: Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>
To: philharpn <philharpn@xxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>; harmonicology <harmonicology@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, May 21, 2014 12:59 am
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica and Sheet-Music [Updated]


 The C-clef looks like  |B.  The center between the two loops designates the 
line of the staff that is C.  Cello, bassoon, and some other orchestra 
instruments sometimes use it.

The choice of clef for a given instrument is usually made to place the middle of 
the instrumentâs range near the middle of the staff.   This minimizes the number 
of notes on ledger lines above and below the staff to facilitate reading.  For 
example, the G and F clefs of the double staff place the middle C of the piano 
keyboard exactly half way between the two staffs.  

The âtrebleâ or âGâ clef is suitable for the C chromatic because it places C4 
(Hole 1 blow on a 12-holer) one line below the staff and C6 (hole  9 blow) only 
two lines above the staff. Most of the music that you will encounter is written 
with the piano in mind. 

When the melody goes into the upper octaves, the sheet music will often be 
written an octave lower with an 8va sign to indicate that it is to be played an 
octave above where it is written.   Low passages are often written an octave 
higher than they are to be played with an 8vb sign.  This is where having all 
octaves of a chromatic layed out the same is very helpful. Everything after the 
8va sign is played an octave higher than written until a âlocoâ sign appears.

You need to know what a C clef is only if you wish to play written music that 
uses it.  

Vern 

On May 20, 2014, at 1:21 PM, philharpn@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> ââ...I really have no idea what a C clef is or how it might relate to the 
harmonicaââ...
> 
> Phil
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>