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

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

I think most people play  songs without regard to what scale or mode they are based on.


Most people don't even know that Amazing Grace is based on the pentatonic scale -- and it doesn't affect their playing. But it does explain why the common form of the tune can be played in First, Second and 12th position without bends. It also can be played WITH bends too. 


Keep on harpin
Phil




-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
To: George Miklas <harmonicat@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, Jun 13, 2014 10:14 pm
Subject: Re: Gregorian Modes...was Re: [Harp-L] . "Take the A Train" Question (robert)


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/>*
>