[Harp-L] re: improvisation

[rainbowjimmy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

You can take semesters in college on improvisation but in a nutshell: harmonica
works well as a melody instrument. When you add or embellish the melody you're
improvising. You can add notes, you can change notes, you can change the
rhythm. Try playing a melody you know well. If there's a long note, try
chopping it into triplets or eighth notes. Add a held note instead of a series
of quick notes. Vary the volume. Take out a few notes. Add a few notes.Throw in
an octave or a chord. Try leaving out the down beat note.

So what about this whole music theory thing? Certain notes work well with
certain chords. How do you know which notes will work with what chord? How do
you even know what chords are played? Play with the band. Try out some wild
notes. If it sounds wildly out of tune and discordant smmile broadly and do it
again.

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.soundclick.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals.htm