Re: [Harp-L] Miles Davis - So What (mild ob intonation talk)

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

Ah, my favorite subject - Miles Davis.
 
Playing a song with a 1/2 step between tonalities will always necessitate notes created through a bending technique on the diatonic harmonica.
 
Probably the first "harmonica position" you should attempt to get a handle on this song is what might be described as 5th position minor. On a "C" harmonica, that would be playing in the key of E minor. Up a 1/2 step takes you to 12th position minor, or F minor on a "C" harmonica. This is a simple beginning for you, before worrying about which type of minor mode to use (just so much technical musicianspeak describing a sound, dealing with where to put the sixth and how to deal with the 7th's).
 
However, if you are more advanced, than know that the minor and major sixths will be 4 hole exhale and 4 hole inhale bend for 5th position minor and 4 hole inhale and 4 hole OB (or 7 hole inhale and 8 hole exhale bend) for 12th position. You should be able to figure out how to achieve whichever 7th you wish to explore in a similar fashion.
 
Improving a Miles solo? Hmmmm - that may be hard to do. He's soooo good at soloing. To really learn what Miles did on that tune would take a study of music and an ability to transcribe (or purchase a music book with his solo already transcribed - Jamey Abersold would have one).
 
The Iceman
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, 4 Sep 2006 10:31 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Miles Davis - So What (mild ob intonation talk)


I read about this song in the archives and have been working on it myself.  Has 
anybody found a useable harp for this song that doesn't "expose" the obs or 
bends?  I've tried playing parts of it on a C, Bb, and Ab harp.  The B section 
always makes it tough.  What would you use to play a modal tune that goes from 
Dm to Ebm?
   
  I am going with the idea of playing the original trumpet solo.  Improving the 
solo could be easier, but I want to know what you'd do to really learn what 
Miles played on that tune.
   
  Thanks,


Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica

http://www.myspace.com/mikefugazzi
http://www.niterail.com
        
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