Re: [Harp-L] How we learn Blues Harp

[GINO <ginoharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Here's a trick to make it easy(er)
You look at the key signature to figure out
the key and the mode that you want to play
in (the chord chart will help with that)
theÂsharps and flats are already tuned into
the harp.ÂSay your playing in "E". On a 
treble clef. The bottom line is E. All of the
lines above E are chord tones (1,3,5,7).
All of the spaces below E are chord tones.
Also. When you get to the octave note on top,
It becomes all of the spaces for the chord
tones.Â4th space is E, 5th space is G, 6th
space is B, etc. Same thing going down. If 
your on lines the chord tones become spaces
at the octave, if your on spaces they become
lines. Helps my pea brain keep itÂsimple(er)
Can't tell ya if it's an A, C#, or E, but
I can tell you the 1, the 3, or the 5, in
a nano second.Â
Â
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂGino
 "LICENSE TO SMOKE"Â
http://www.ginoharmonica.com




________________________________
From: John F. Potts <hvyj@xxxxxxx>
To: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, July 19, 2010 5:08:53 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] How we learn Blues Harp

Why donât most diatonic players read? Well, assuming they want to, (which may 
be an unwarranted assumption) the problem is transposition. Since you change 
harps and positions depending on the material when you are playing diatonic, it 
is almost impossible to associate a certain written note with a particular hole 
or location on the diatonic harmonica. This isnât a problem on the chromatic 
because you ordinarily use a single instrument and the relationship of the holes 
on the instrument to the written notes stays the same.

I can sort of read music. At least i can read well enough to learn a tune from 
a chart if you give me enough time. Can't sight read, though. In order to play 
from a chart i need to convert the notes to degrees of the scale and then decide 
what key harp to use in what position. I know which holes correspond to what 
degrees of the scale in which position, so I don't have to struggle to transpose 
if i do it this way. And it IS a lot easier for me to learn a tune this way 
than just from listening to a recording. But unless i am familiar with what the 
tune is supposed to sounds like, I almost always need a recording to guide me as 
I learn a tune from sheet music. I can't usually do it working from a chart by 
itself.

JP