Re: [Harp-L] Theory of scales

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Scales are nothing but a reference point. They give you a feel for the notes 
in a key.

Scales and arpeggios (more fun) are useful when the mind goes blank and you 
don't have any charts in the particular key handy that you know you need to 
know.

How many people have gone some place, business or medical appointment, and 
ending up waiting and waiting but just happened to have a harmonica with them -- 
but ,,,, alas .... no charts.... 

Sales are arpeggios are like using folk songs to practice tone or any other 
technique -- they are so obvious and easy to play (you can tell when you hit a 
sour note) that you can concentrate on practicing your timing without worrying 
about what notes you are playing.

The real problem here is that smo-joe and the iceman don't need to work on 
their scales -- you could wake them up in the middle of the night (morning) and 
demand they play the J scale and they could! 

But anybody on this list who wonders about the value of scales -- probably 
does. (The rest already know enough.)

... And somebody will come out of the woodwork to state absolutely that he 
doesn't need any stinking scales, never used them and never will and anybody who 
thinks anybody else who needs them also needs his head examined. GO figure.

 




In a message dated 12/7/06 10:04:45 PM, leone@xxxxxxxx writes:


> 
> On Dec 7, 2006, at 1:39 PM, icemanle@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> > One aspect of "scales" that has always bothered me is the 
> > divisiveness taught between learning/playing scales and learning/
> > playing music.
> >
> > Traditionally, they are approached as two different entities. First 
> > you learn and practice your scales (endless BORING up and down, up 
> > and down) and then you play music (FUN).
> >
> >
> > The Iceman
> >
> I don't believe in playing scales. Gross waste of time. Take each key 
> and find a piece of music in that key. Play THOSE. All scales get you 
> is being good at scales. Then you can do a concert playing 
> scales......NOT
> 
> smo-joe
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