Re: [Harp-L] position question (Let's Mambo)

["Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, Let's Mambo is first position, and mostly major scale.

In the opening head, it's pure major scale in the first octave, which 
involves bending Draw 3 and Draw 2 down for missing scale notes.

Heading for the 30-second mark Carlos introduces a chromatic note by 
bending Draw 4 down one semitone. Around 36 seconds he introduces 
another chromatic note by bending Draw 3 down three semitones.

At around 53 seconds he uses a 4 overblow sandwiched between 4 draw 
and 5 blow for a fragment of a chromatic scale. A moment later he 
uses Overblow 5 several time, always on the way to the note one 
semitone higher in Blow 6 (using the flat-five in the scale to 
approach the perfect fifth).

I could go on. The important thing to note is that it's really major 
scale stuff with a few chromatic notes thrown in. That said, he's 
doing things that are characteristic of the style and quite 
delightful but which may confuse the analytical ear of someone not 
accustomed to hearing them analytically. These include using odd 
leaps between the notes in the scale and starting a run in an odd 
place in the bar and maybe on an odd note in the scale.

My recommendation? Listen a bunch of times and just dig it. Then 
start trying to sing along. Once you can do that with some accuracy, 
try to find the notes on the harp.

Winslow


--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Eric Garcia" 
<ericgar85@xxxx> wrote:
yes, it does appear to be 1st position.
but what crazy scale is that, including overblows, that
can help me break this sucker down???
any help from any more harp-chuckers out there??
eric


>From: Larry Haston <lhaston@xxxx>
>To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxx>
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] position question
>Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:16:16 -0500
>
>Eric Garcia wrote:
>
>>hi harpers,
>>
>>can anyone tell me what position and/or mode
>>Carlos del Junco is playing for the song "Let's Mambo" on
>>the album Blues Mongrel???
>>it's a beautiful piece and, being half cuban and living
>>in miami, i have interest in playing more latin music
>>on my harp.
>
>According to the CD's liner notes, it's in 1st position, C harp.  I 
still 
>can't figure it out.  However it has inspired me to take up another 
hobby, 
>the harmonica throw.  Good luck.
>
>lh