[Harp-L] modes

[chris smith <harpshredder@xxxxxxxxx>]

   Hey Guy, 
                 I believe we've discussed modes in
our lessons and they relate to harp positions nicely
as they are diatonic. (7 tone scale). Modes date back
hundreds of years and are a nice way to achieve
variety on the blues harp. R. Hunter correctly
identified the 7 modes
and what gives them their unique sound is the system
of !/2 steps and
whole steps that structure them. The major scale is
also known as the
Ionian mode and is the most widely used. A really easy
way to visualize the modes is using the piano. All the
modes can be found on the white notes just start on
various notes (for the tonic). The tonic is the note
of tonal focus. Starting on "C"  you have all whole
steps except the 1/2 step between the 3rd & 4th 
degrees and between the 7th & 8th degrees (between "E"
& "F" and "B" & "C" where there's no black note
between them. 1st position.
     Dorian mode (try Scarborough Fair an ancient folk
tune) start on "D"
play all natural notes (white keys) and the half steps
shift to between
2nd & 3rd and 6th& 7th degrees. This a great mode and
3rd position is really cool to
play in on diatonic and chromatic. (Remember position
is where you
place the tonic on the harp.}
     Phrygian is "E" to "E" white notes . Half steps
shift to between 1st &
2nd degrees and between 5th & 6th degrees. Having a
half step leaving
the tonic or 1st degree is problematic  as this
interval enhances tonicity. In other words it's easy
to get fooled into hearing the "F" as the key note
instead of "E" . So. this mode is considered unstable.
5th
position on your "C" harp is pretty cool- relatively
unused but much
more used in E minor, E major or E blues scales major
or minor than
phrygian.
     Lydian is F to F white notes or 6th position on
your C harp. 1/2 steps between 4th & 5th degrees
(remember degrees are places on a scale or mode and
have nothing to do with hole #s) and 7th & 8th which
is great because the half step emphasizes the
tonic.This is a very
cool mode and is used extensively in jazz, classical
and pop music. The
really cool things is the raised 4th degree making a
tritone interval above the tonic. (I can't get enough
of tritones). There's actually a whole harmony concept
in jazz based on this mode. (Think modern.)
     Mixolydian is G to G white notes. It's almost the
blues (because of the lowered 7th) but has a major
3rd. The half steps are now between 3rd & 4th degrees
and between 6th & 7th degrees. This is the very common
2nd position on your C harp. This mode is used very
widely in bluegrass and in working the flat 3rd and
flat 5th becomes the minor blues scale. Importance of
this position can't be overstated. Actual mixolydian
mode less so .
     Aeollian mode is the natural minor scale . A to A
white notes. Obviously, extremely important probably
less used than major (Ionian mode). This is 4th pos.
on your C harp. A beautiful mode (I'm very partial to
minor modes  Dorian is another) the shortcoming on
your blues harp is you have to bend to get the low
tonic this why Lee Oskar
cleverly started designing several different tunings
(natural minor,melody maker and dorian) to overcome
this . To emphasize the 
tonic note the harmonic minor was created with its
raised 7th (G#). Half steps are between 2nd & 3rd
degrees and 5th & 6th degrees.
     Locrian mode as far as I know is very rarely
used. Again, the unstability of the tonic with the 2nd
degree a half step up and you're playing in C major. B
to B white notes. Other half step between 4th & 5th
degrees. I guess this is called 7th pos. I've never
used it.
    As far as some of the ridiculous posts I've seen
implying concern over intonation is just being anal :
there's a small forgivable zone here
then there's non-music. Some people have more
tolerance than others
to out of tuneness but really western music is a
beautiful thing. A 440,
playing rhythmically, these are things that work . If
you prefer Caveman chaos and cacophony beautiful. I
think it's moving backwards.
                                                      
        Chris "Hammer" Smith

Chris "Hammer" Smith
Hammer Smith Band
Official Myspace Page http://myspace.com/chrishammersmith
harpshredder@xxxxxxxxx

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