[Harp-L] Learning, Grammar and Theory (working from written score)

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Arthur asks:

how do you negotiate all the different keys of harmonicas you play when
working from a written score?

I'm self taught with no formal music training. I don't sight read,  
but i can make sense of sheet music if given a little time to look at  
it. I play standard Richter tuned diatonics.

On those rare occasions, when i've had to work from sheet music, i  
get the charts ahead of time.  First thing i do is see what key it's  
in and if there are any key changes, since a key change usually (but  
not always) requires a change of harmonicas,  Then i go through the  
notes and convert each note to the corresponding degree of the scale  
(1, flat 3, 5, flat 7, etc.).  i write the degree above each note on  
the chart.

Once i know the key(s) and degrees of the scale, I can decide what  
harmonica(s) to select in order to play in the proper position to be  
able to most easily play the music on the chart.   I am proficient in  
5 positions and I know which degree of scale corresponds to which  
hole of the harmonica in which position. So then I play that  
harmonica and rehearse from the chart looking at the degrees I wrote  
above each note.

I'm sure this is not what they teach at Julliard or Berklee, but it  
works for me.  Btw, I've never had to use more than 2 harmonicas on  
any one tune.  Sometimes i look at the chords written above the staff  
to decide which harmonica to use if i am uncertain which position  
would work best.  It's also much easier if i have a recording to know  
how the tune is supposed to sound.

FWIW.

JP