Re: [Harp-L] Tune on Harmonic Minor Harp?

[Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

The harmonic minor scale harmonicas can be an awful lot of fun. I try to 
keep one standard major and one harmonic minor with me all the time so I 
have my choice of what to play. Here are some ideas of what you can do with 
it:
 Hava Nagila
Brahm's Hungarian Rhapsody #5 [if memory serves]
the spooky "Welcome to Hogwarts" theme from the third Harry Potter movie 
("Double, Double, Toil and Trouble,...")
the "snake charmer" theme we heard as kids on Bugs Bunny (It has a name, but 
I cannot remember it.)
 These pieces lay out fine on the harmonic minor scale without any bends or 
overblows. Have fun with them. There are other tunes that fit, as well, but 
these are probably the most commonly known, especially right now.
 I have two other things, outside of playing actual tunes, that I also like 
to do with a harmonic minor harmonica. The first is play any scale exercise 
or tune that you would normally play on a standard major diatonic, and play 
it, instead, on the harmonic minor. It really can have very fun and strange 
results. For example, play "Mary had a Little Lamb" or "The Marine's Hymn" 
on the harmonic minor and see what you get -- or maybe "Dixie". Because I 
play fiddle tunes, I put them on the harmonic minor with very interesting 
results. "The Chicken Dance" sounds really cool and twisted all at the same 
time when played on the harmonic minor scale. This exercise is especially 
good for demonstrating the difference between the scales to someone who does 
not already understand -- first playing the tune or scale on a regular major 
diatonic, then playing it on the harmonic minor diatonic (preferably in keys 
relatively close to one another).
 The other thing that I like to do with a harmonic minor harmonica is 
explore or wander. You can play anything you want, making up a tune as you 
go, with a harmonic minor harmonica and it will sound as if you were playing 
a real tune -- not just one you were making up as you went. The end result 
is you can simply play the harmonic minor harmonica to clear your mind -- 
deliberately not thinking of anything at all. Anything you come up with will 
still sound neat.
 I hope these ideas suit your needs. I really enjoy my harmonic minor 
harmonicas. I hope you come to enjoy yours, as well.
 Cara Cooke

 On 7/18/05, CHARLES BASSI <jeanchar50@xxxxxxx> wrote: 
> 
> What's a nice familiar tune which lays well on a
> standard harmonic minor harp? Pop, rock, jazz, familiar classical theme,
> whatever? A couple bends on holes 2 and 3 are okay,
> but no overblows, please (I know, I want a lot, don't I?).
> I know this is backwards - usually I know what I want to play,
> and then figure out which harps to employ. But I feel kind of uninspired
> right now, and am looking for an entry into something which employs
> the harmonic minor scale.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Charles
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