Re: [Harp-L] Vertical Dyslexia

[Arthur Jennings <timeistight@xxxxxxxxx>]

Lizzie, I think you've identified one of the inherent problems of harmonica
tablature: how do you translate in and out to up and down. But I don't like
tab anyway.

Barrett's system has the virtue of "type-ability" and relative simplicity
and he always pairs it with notation, which I prefer to read.

As far as recommending a trick for other systems, why not score them out
with a Barrett-style tab line beneath the notes? Or just learn it by ear
and skip the tab altogether?


On Sat, Aug 31, 2013 at 10:24 AM, Tin Lizzie <trackharpl@xxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> I cut my teeth on the kind of tab that David Barrett uses in his
> publications, also used by Jimi Lee:  Since we mostly draw (in blues,
> anyway), a plain number means to draw on that chamber, and a number with a
> ‘+’ sign after it means to blow on that chamber.
>
> Lately I’m working on some material with more conventional tablature.
>  Those up and down arrows are killing me!  Blow is the lower note on the
> first six chambers, but the arrow points up!  When I inhale/draw, I think
> of drawing air ‘up and in’, but the arrow points down!
>
> I’m aware of the mnemonic that if you hold the page flat, the arrow points
> in the direction of the airflow, but reading the tab end-on is not working
> out so well for me.  I expect I’ll acclimate with time and practice, but
> does anyone have any other mental model or trick that makes thinking about
> it easier?  Would someone at least tell me that I’m not alone in this?
>  (Maybe I just need an ounce of cheerleading, today.  Thanks.)
>
> Tin Lizzie
>
>
>


-- 
Arthur Jennings
http://www.timeistight.com