[Harp-L] scale degrees

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Another road to theory knowledge is understanding scale degrees.


Let's start simply with the major scale - holes 4 - 7.


Octave scale = 8 notes, 1st and last note being the same (an octave apart). This leaves 7.


You may think of them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th scale degrees of the major scale.


Each one has it's own particular color and pull of gravity. The easiest way to experience this is to set a 1st degree drone note (synthesizer, organ key held down, computer note, etc).


Now you can play a LONG TONE starting with hole 4 inhale and listen/feel the effect it has when played over the drone. The odd numbers will have a more static feel while the even numbers will give a suspended pull feel (like they are active and want to be pulled towards an odd number). For instance, play LONG TONE 2nd degree (hole 4 inhale). Let it hang in the air for a while and end it with a short 4 hole exhale (1st degree. The effect will be a pull that feels resolved.


This is how gravity works in music to propel the ideas in a forward motion. Each one of the scale degrees will give this effect, more or less, as you explore. 4th scale degree may feel like it wants to fall down to 3rd, 6th down to 5th and 7th UP to the 8th note.


Once you start to feel the gravity, it will lead you to a better understanding of soloing. As long as your instrument plays one note at a time, your ideas are simply one note moving to the next - at rest moving towards suspension which will want to move towards at rest.