Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica and Sheet-Music [Updated]

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Increasing the low-end range of a harmonica by switching to a lower key is a technique that has been used before. The only problem is dealing with that pesky F#. A valve* on draw 7 would allow a blow bend on blow 7 down to F. 


If this shift to the G harmonica to make music reading for beginners* takes a stretch in assuming the beginners* know how to bend. Also, draw 7 doesn't bend (unless you count the mythical quarter tone) because the blow-draw notes are adjacent; there is no half-step between them. 


This problem has already been solved in some Mel Bay books. Maybe other brands do this, too. Those familiar with this series of books is already dealing with blow 4 as the starting C. For the majority of richter players who don't read music, don't want to learn and don't care; this issue is moot. 


Many basic harmonica instruction books -- Mel Bay -- use the treble clef (G clef) starting on 4 hole blow, thus firmly placing holes 4 - 7 and above on the five-line staff. Even though notation should start at the third space C. 


This means that Middle C is 4 hole blow under this construction.


This construction solves two problems for beginners: most of the useful notes fit on the staff and the "troublesome" first octave with its "missing notes" is avoided.


If the first octave is used, it is rendered with leger lines indicating the notes are below middle C or in the bass clef.


On the other hand, chromatic harmonicas do not have this problem of "missing notes" so that books dealing with music reading for the chrome start with middle C on blow 1. I own a series of books that use this convention. 


Now whether the low octave is actually below middle C on the 16 hole, and that some C chromes start with the G below middle C (orchestra tuning?) is another issue.


This a useful technique (G harp sub for C) for advanced players who read music. And advanced players who don't read but are aware of that F# and have the techniques to deal with it.
But I think it is over the heads of most beginners.


Phil












-----Original Message-----
From: Harmonicology [Neil Ashby] <harmonicology@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, May 20, 2014 9:30 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Harmonica and Sheet-Music [Updated]


One useful trick[*] for learning to use real musical score with the diatonic 
harmonica is to switch to the "G-Major" (G3) tuned harmonica; the central octave 
of the standard "C" tuned harmonica starts at the high part of the treble clef 
and makes using of most musical score somewhat more difficult for beginners; the 
central octave of the "G3" tuned harmonica starts conveniently near the bottom 
of the treble clef.

After sufficient practice according to musical score with the "G" tuned 
harmonica then the performer can easily switch to any other key of harmonica and 
use the same musical score and the same patterns (as though playing on the "G" 
tuned harmonica) via listening for the melody and intervals instead of the exact 
frequencies of the various notes.

Many popular tunes are scored in "G" using of the "F#" which is normally at 
7-draw on the "G" harmonica, but would the "F" be natural on the score then the 
performer can bend the 7-draw to near the lower semi-tone; on the "C" harmonica 
that would be similar to bending to near the "Bb" at 7-draw.

With use of a valve on 7-blow hole then the 7-draw can be fully bent, but on an 
instruments without the valve on 7-blow then the draw bent note might just reach 
80% close to the lower semi-tone [around 20 cents higher]; that difference is 
acceptable in many situations; I have often used of the 7-draw bent to near "Bb" 
in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and have not heard any complaints.

[*]This trick is primarily for performing in the first-position; in fact, many 
first-position performers should be learning on the "G-Major" harmonica instead 
of the "C-Major".

/Neil Ashby (" http://thebuskingproject.com/busker/2025/ ")