Re: [Harp-L] Re: chromatic - playing in all keys

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 26, 2008, at 9:11 PM, Robert Bonfiglio wrote:

> If you wish to play in every key, one can always come to a seminar.

For me, it wouldn't be logical. The average age for a white male in  
the U.S. (born when 'I' was) is 79.5
Now using my 'Leone's system of 2/3 vs 1 1/2, this means that 53  
would be my 'cutoff' age. I feel that anyone who hasn't made it by 53  
should really re-assess their situation. (pssst, I'm 65)

Sooo, given the above, why would I waste your time. I noticed that  
you did use the word 'come' in reference to a seminar in lieu of 'go'  
to a seminar, so I would imagine that you are referring to YOUR  
seminar. I respect you too much to waste your time.

>   I am one who basically believes in one chromatic in C.

That's good. I don't see the need to weld myself. I'm kinda a free  
spirit that way. ANOTHER reason I would make a poor student. Besides,  
I read but am NOT a sight reader.
> That said, if you wish to get certain chords, or certain patterns  
> in D minor, C minor, E minor, G or F Major, you should choose those  
> patterns.  Always choose the easiest way to play something so that  
> you can concentrate on emotion and not technique.

Yeah, I prefer emotion IF the tune has emotion. If it is fast, I'm  
lucky to manage technique.

>   Change the key of the song

And yet there are purists who think it's sacrilege to change the  
original key of a tune just as there are those who feel that  
everything must be played on a C chromo. Which is cool, if that's  
what you prefer.

> to facilitate using those patterns not only because harmonicas are  
> expensive, but also to get you more familiar with the patterns of  
> one instrument.

See, the way I see it is that it's just as easy to play D on a G  
chromo as it is to play D on a C chromo, or F on an F chromo. Now  
where you wind up is another story. There are those whose ears are so  
tuned that when they switch chromos, they get a little confused. I  
never understood that as I switch diatonics all the time and don't  
see a problem. Does it only happen to strictly chromo players OR is  
maybe playing both the key to NOT getting confused?

I don't know as I am not a virtuoso. But I feel that sometimes it's  
not good for one's ears to be TOO refined. I sometimes use 3  
diatonics on a tune, AND how does one explain the multiple tremellos  
used by our Oriental cousins?

>   This way if there are more complicated chords or key areas in a  
> song, or if it modulates, you still have one instrument and you  
> expanded your technique.

Yes, I LIKE that. I think I will experiment with that.
> If you stop thinking of positions and start thinking of keys by  
> practicing the scales and arpeggios in D minor, C minor, E minor, G  
> or F Major, this will be a big first step toward freedom.

I never think of positions but I have used it to explain things  
because most on this list understand positions. I prefer to call them  
'key fingering patterns', and while a long explanation, it does seem  
(to me, at least), to explain what it is. After all. you ARE using  
your finger to actuate the slide....more or less like a trumpet valve.

smokey-joe & the Cafe s (mining the minors at La Parilla Argentine  
steak house & Tango palace.)
Where: you and your date can have a steak and a bottle of wine and  
even take Tango lessons. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll kiss $95  
bucks goodbye.
> Harmonically yours,
>
> Robert Bonfiglio
>
> http://www.robertbonfiglio.com
>
>
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