Re: Gregorian Modes...was Re: [Harp-L] . "Take the A Train" Question (robert)

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thinking of positions as related to modes is very limiting imo.  A mode is
a scale.  The dorian mode is the same as any major scale except the 3rd and
the seventh note are each lowered one half step.  Therefore the C dorian
scale is C D Eb F G A Bb C.  It is certainly possible to play tthis scale
on a chromatic and it sounds great in certain types of minor music, major
and minor blues, and jazz during minor 7th chords, all in the key of C.
Playing this on a C chromatic is first position.

By limiting yourself to the ionian mode for first position, you miss out on
the wonders of the C dorian scale.  Any scale or mode can be played in any
key or position on any chromatic.

Instead, I recommend thinking of position as the key note compared to the
name of the harmonica as measured by the amount of clockwise turns on the
circle of fifths.  A C harp plays in first position in the key of C, 2nd in
G, 3rd in D, etc.
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Fri, Jun 13, 2014 at 8:46 PM, George Miklas <harmonicat@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> No Kardashian Modes either  Smokey Joe....
>
> On Friday, June 13, 2014, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > So, in other words there are no Carthaginian nor Fridgedaireian modes?
> >
> > smo-joe (who once told wild Bill Hickock: "You should skip the card game
> > tonight".) Yes, he is the most unforgettable character you will ever
> meet.
> > lolol.
> >
> > On Jun 13, 2014, at 9:05 PM, George Miklas wrote:
> >
> > > Jon,
> > >
> > > I think of it in terms of "Gregorian Modes" or "church modes" on the
> > > chromatic as the key of the chromatic I choose
> > >
> > > Ionian Mode is 1st position - C  (Major diatonic)
> > > Dorian Mode is 3rd position - D   (minor with Major 6th)
> > > Phrygian Mode is 5th position - E  (minor  with minor 2nd)
> > > Lydian Mode is 12th position - F  (Major with augmented 4th)
> > > Mixolydian Mode is 2nd position - G  (Major with minor  7th)
> > > Aolean Mode is 4th position - A (Natural Minor)
> > > Hypophrygian Mode is 6th position - B (Diminished with minor 7th)
> > >
> > > No matter how you think of it, Its all good!
> > >
> > > George
> > >
> > > On Friday, June 13, 2014, JON KIP <jon@xxxxxxxxxx <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> > >
> > >>>
> > >>> Robert,
> > >>> Are you on chromatic?  Pick your easiest key.  Let's say it is F.  On
> > a C
> > >>> harp F is 12 position.  Find the harp where C is 12th position.  That
> > >> would
> > >>> be a G harp.  Buy a G chromatic.  Play as though you were playing a C
> > >> harp
> > >>> in F and it will sound like the key of C and be easy to play.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> wow, that's kind of a fun answer, cool...I hadn't thought of it....I
> was
> > >> never taught positions, on chromatic harmonica, at least...I'm going
> to
> > ask
> > >> my teacher for my money back.... oh, yeah, I never paid
> > him....oops...let's
> > >> not remind him.
> > >>
> > >> All that fine information, and, not only a workable solution, but a
> > boost
> > >> to the economy, the shopping spree involved, that's patriotic, if he
> > buys
> > >> American, AND if he wants to go thru ALL the keys........and, for me,
> a
> > >> good brain teaser.....
> > >>
> > >> nice.
> > >>
> > >> On Jun 13, 2014, at 10:37 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx
> <javascript:;>
> > <javascript:;>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Robert,
> > >>> Are you on chromatic?  Pick your easiest key.  Let's say it is F.  On
> > a C
> > >>> harp F is 12 position.  Find the harp where C is 12th position.  That
> > >> would
> > >>> be a G harp.  Buy a G chromatic.  Play as though you were playing a C
> > >> harp
> > >>> in F and it will sound like the key of C and be easy to play.
> > >>
> > >> jon kip
> > >> http://jonkip.com
> > >>
> > >> player of music, mostly written by dead people and played on a toy
> that
> > >> everybody's Uncle except my nephew's has the good sense to keep safely
> > out
> > >> of sight in a drawer.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > >   - *GEORGE MIKLAS,* Harmonica Performing Artist and Entertainer
> > >   <http://harmonicagallery.com/>
> > >   - *THE HARMONICA WIZARD MARCH* by John Philip Sousa
> > >   <http://harmonicagallery.com/sousa>
> > >   - *HARMONICA REPAIR* Done Right by George
> > >   <http://harmonicagallery.com/repair>
> > >   - *HOHNER <http://us.playhohner.com/>* *HARMONICAS*
> > >   <http://us.playhohner.com/>*...Just Breathe* <
> > http://us.playhohner.com/>
> > >   - *SPAH *- *S*ociety for the *P*reservation and *A*dvancement of the
> > *H*
> > >   armonica, <http://spah.org/>
> > >      - *a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to serving the
> > >      harmonica community. <http://spah.org/>*
> >
> >
>
> --
>
>    - *GEORGE MIKLAS,* Harmonica Performing Artist and Entertainer
>    <http://harmonicagallery.com/>
>    - *THE HARMONICA WIZARD MARCH* by John Philip Sousa
>    <http://harmonicagallery.com/sousa>
>    - *HARMONICA REPAIR* Done Right by George
>    <http://harmonicagallery.com/repair>
>    - *HOHNER <http://us.playhohner.com/>* *HARMONICAS*
>    <http://us.playhohner.com/>*...Just Breathe* <http://us.playhohner.com/
> >
>    - *SPAH *- *S*ociety for the *P*reservation and *A*dvancement of the *H*
>    armonica, <http://spah.org/>
>       - *a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to serving the
>       harmonica community. <http://spah.org/>*
>