[Harp-L] re: music theory

[jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx]

If you know that a minor and C major share the same notes, you've got two
keys you can play on the harp, when before you could only play one. When you
realize that the first three holes on the inhale of a C harp make a G chord,
it doesn't take long to figure out you can play in the key of G. If you know
that e minor has the same notes as G major, you've got another key.  If you
realize that the 4,5, and 6 holes make a D minor chord, you've got another
key. No overblowing.If you know the difference between the blues scale and
the pentatonic major scale, you can switch and play a lot of different
styles.

Now it's true, you can just figure out the melody by ear. Still, if I hear
Mel Lyman playing and I know he usually plays mostly major pentatonic, and I
can figure out the key, it's easier to know where the notes will be.

Basic music theory is simple. The information is out there. It doesn't
require any higher math skills or logical theory. It's easy enough to get a
diagram with the harp note layout. It makes the job easier.

And of course, if you wonder about music theory and blues, here's a quote
(lengthy sorry, can't figure what to edit out) from B B King on guitar.com

"...jazz musicians are much better than we are, because they know the
progressions. And the reason I mention the chord C is because you don’t have
any accidentals in it. So if you want to make a dominant 7th, you would say
C, E, G, B-flat. But the C still would work, even in B-flat, because it’s
the second or the ninth. So anyway you look at it, you get a good whole note
buddy, and hold on to that one. And when you can get your mind straight and
start thinkin’, ‘Oh, they’re back in the tonic key now.’ And then you can
put your little stuff there. That’s the way I look at it.

St. James: See, so you do know music theory quite well.

King: No (laughs).

St. James: Ah yes you do. What you just told me gave that away.

King: Yeah, well I know a little bit. I studied a little bit. I compose.
I’ve been composing for years. I write a little bit."



and



" I’m 77 – each day I should try to learn something new, something
different. One other thing though, you – well, what can I say? You don’t
never learn it all. If that was the case they would have had cars and
airplanes during Jesus Christ’s day. They didn’t have them. So we’ve learned
a lot since then. So each day I try to learn a little bit."



Make it fun. Make it interesting. You'll get it soon enough.


-- 
Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1372404/dhoozh_chapter_1.html
http://www.myspace.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals