Re: [Harp-L] Problem when playing harps not in C

[Dale Dutridge <daledut@xxxxxxxxx>]

Since you are so well versed with the actual notes and SolfÃge you might be
a good candidate for a chromatic harmonica.
But in the meantime I would suggest writing out tabs (hole number and blow
or draw for each note) to a favorite song as you play it in C then follow
the numbers on D until you memorize it.
Dale
On May 5, 2014 7:50 AM, "Eliza Doolittle" <eliza.doolittle@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I've bought my first harp in a key other than C (I've got one in D), and a
> new problem has arisen when trying to play it. It seems I've learnt so well
> that, except for the highest octave, a C is a blow, a D a draw, an E a blow
> and so on, that I'm unable to play even the simplest tune using the harp in
> D, because I do it all the wrong way. I suppose I should be thinking of
> positions, or of intervals, or something like that, but I don't seem to be
> able to find a way to forget which note I am playing and its relationship
> with the harp in C.
>
> What I really mean to say is, if I try to play, say, 'Twinkle Twinkle
> Little Star' with the harp in D and I start by blowing in hole 4 I get a D,
> and no matter how hard I try to think of it only as the root note and
> forget about its actual name, I am hearing a D and I know it cannot be
> anything else, so I know I should play an A afterwards, and then I go and
> draw in hole 6... And, of course, I get the wrong note. You see what I
> mean? I cannot call that first note a C and carry on, because I am hearing
> a D and I won't be cheated even if I try.
>
> Every time I play a melody it is as if it had lyrics. If you ask me to
> play 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' starting with a C, I'll play it while
> mentally saying 'do-do-sol-sol-la-la-sol...', and that comes automatically.
> If you tell me to start it with a D, I have no trouble saying
> 're-re-la-la-si-si-la...' without having to think about it. But when it
> comes to playing actually the harp, it's all a disaster because I cannot
> find the notes automatically, as with a harp in C. It is as if each harp
> were a different instrument and I had to learn the whereabouts of each note
> each time. To the point of being blocked when I must play an F sharp in the
> key of D (something very common), thinking 'I cannot play this note yet'.
> Which is true with a harp in C, but not with a harp in D!
>
> Can you help me with some idea about how to overcome this problem? It
> would be really great (although I don't need to play harps in keys other
> than C yet). Thanks a lot in advance.
>
> Eliza Doolittle
>