Re: [Harp-L] in memory of elizabeth reed

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

A method with a simple example, (not the tune in question):

First thing, get the chords. And of course, know the key.

Do the total notes in a sequence of chords add up to a specific scale?

For instance, if a tune is in G and the chords are G, F, G, F, D, G

G = G B D

F = F A C

So those notes in those two chords add up to the note sequence F G A B
C, which suggests the C major scale and maybe a C-harp - which would be
second position, nice and familiar.

But then you've the D chord creating a scale conflict:

G = G B D

F = F A C

D = D F# A

So now you've got both F and F#:

F F# G A B C D

This suggests either a C-harp which has F but requires bending for the
F#, or a G-harp which has F# and requires bending for the F.

But then in addition to scale, you've got the consideration of whether
you want to play actual chords.

The G-harp will give you both G and D, but not a full F chord (though
it will give you the chord fragment A-C.

The C-harp will give you a G-chord, nicely set up in second position
with bendable notes. It won't give you a D major chord (it will give
you D minor) and for F will only give you and F-A fragment. It also
gives the C chord which looks useless as it's not a chord in the
progression but might be a nice passing chord or alternating chord
(G-C-G, F-C-F, D-C-D).

So, all things considered, do you want to play in first position and
have the G and D chords, and bend for the tonic note of the F chord
(down from F#), or do you want to play in second position and have a G
chord but only fragmentary F and D chords and have to bend/overblow for
the F# in the D chord?

On a complex tune, this same evaluation method could be applied to
sections of the tune and help you evaluate a sequence of harp switches
and what harps to use for each section.

Winslow

--- Garry Hodgson <garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> at the jam the other night, the band started playing the allman
> brothers' 
> "in memory of elizabeth reed".  i was able to play along, sorta, in
> something 
> third-ish, but decided after a bit that i didn't know the song, and
> shouldn't try 
> and learn in on their nickel, so i bowed out.  but it's a great song,
> and now i'd
> like to figure it out.  listened twice on the way to work today, and
> played 
> around a little, but can't seem to get it sounding right.
> 
> so, does anyone have any thoughts on how best to play this? 
> position, key, etc?
> what would really help is if you could explain your thought process,
> i.e. how would
> you analyze this song to decide on the approach you recommend?
> 
> 
> 
> ----
> Garry Hodgson, Senior Software Geek, AT&T CSO
> 
> nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.
> do something.
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 



 
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