[Harp-L] Slonimski

[George Brooks <gbrooks1@xxxxxxxxx>]

The brilliant and usually mostly right Chris Michalek wrote:

>One thing to do is get Slominski's Encyclopedia
>of Scales and practice all of the scales in all keys.

A poor idea, in my opinion.  Start with something much easier, like the 
major scales in all 12 keys (on a single harp).  Or the chromatic 
scale, naming the notes (or thinking their names) as you go.  Not easy, 
but a lot easier than what Chris suggests, which is the super-advanced 
course.  Coltrane used the book, and after he picked it up, a lot of 
other jazz players began to use it (on their chromatic-by-design 
instruments).  For most of us, doing what Chris suggests is years of 
hard work in the future, if ever in this lifetime.  That definitely 
includes me, and I suspect it includes Chris.  In fact, I think doing 
what Chris suggests falls into the category of NBH (nobody but Howard).

If you are curious about the book (and it is incredible, but dense), 
the author's name is Nicolas Slonimsky and the title is "Thesaurus of 
Scales and Melodic Patterns."  Amsco Publications #GS 10018, ISBN 
0-8256-1449-X.

George