RE: [Harp-L] Circle of Fifths or Circle of Fourths?

[Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>]

Robert-

That's the whole point. The way I approach which harp to use is rather unorthodox but it works for me. I don't use either circles exclusively. I guess I did not realize that there was a "standard".

Buck

> From: robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:29:16 -0500
> Subject: [Harp-L] Circle of Fifths or Circle of Fourths?
> 
> 
> In response to one of Michael Rubin's excellent "Meat and Potatoes" videos,
> Buck asked if Michael would consider using the Circle of Fourths rather than
> the Circle of Fifths for determining which harp key to pick in order to play a
> specific key.
> 
> The accepted "standard" at present is to use the harp key as a reference and
> then pick a position which provides the desired music key. Each "position" has
> a corresponding mode associated with it.
> 
> 1st position = Ionian mode = Major scale
> 2nd position = Mixolydian mode = Major scale
> 3rd position = Dorian mode = Minor scale
> 4th position = Aeolian mode = Natural minor scale
> 5th position = Phrygian mode = Minor scale
> 6th position = Locrian mode = Diminished scale
> 12th position = Lydian mode = Major scale
> 
> Although it is possible to use the Circle of Fourths to determine the relationship
> between the key letter of the music, it does not seem as intuitive (to me) as
> using the Circle of Fifths.
> 
> Why not?
> 
> Because when starting with the key of music as the reference point, there is
> no determination of mode. For example, if the band says "This song is in D major,"
> which harp do you use? You could use any harp that would give you most (if not
> all) of the notes of D major, i.e., a D harp (some people's first choice), a G harp
> (if playing OTM) or an A harp (just because you can do it). Now you have to figure
> out where the tonic and associated notes are going to lie on the chosen harp. So,
> there appears to be just as much (if not more) work using the Circle of Fourths as
> there is in using the Circle of Fifths. The only complication occurs when trying to
> communicate with other harmonica players who learned the "standard" designations.
> I don't have a copy of it, but one of the first instructional harmonica books (by Tony
> "Little Sun" Glover) based positions on the Circle of Fourths. Those who learned this 
> way had a heck of a time communicating with later harp players like me.
> 
> There is an alternative to memorizing all this stuff. Make yourself a Circle of Fifths tool.
> (Or, if you choose, a Circle of Fourths tool.) I made myself a tool which includes all
> positions, modes, chords and notes. It consists of two wheels, with reference points 
> marked.
> 
> You simply place the major reference mark on the harp key, and then read the rest
> of the information relative to that harp key. It's printed on heavy card stock, and held
> together with an eyelet. It's flat enough to stick in my harp case. I just pop it out and
> reference it if needed. It's fast to figure out whatever you need on the fly. And best
> of all, it's available FREE from me. Several people have used it.
> 
> If you want a PDF file that's ready to print, send me an email message and request it.
> All I ask is that you don't duplicate it for sale. You can use it, abuse it, use it for your
> students, or whatever you want to do as long as you give me credit for making it.
> 
> If you want the file, my email is robertpcoble AT hotmail PERIOD com. (Replace the
> "AT" with the "@" symbol, and the "PERIOD" with a ".". Put "Circle of Fifths Tool" in
> the subject line.
> 
> Regards,
> Crazy Bob
> 
>