[Harp-L] quick last dance with mary jane question

[Sébastien Frémal]

I will try to answer without testing what I propose :p

So, let's take a look to the song's chords :) According to
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/tom_petty/mary_janes_last_dance_ver2_crd.htm,
we find :
Verse :
Am : A C E
G : G B D
Dsus2 : D E A
Am : A C E
Chorus :
Em7 : E G B D
A : A C# E
Em7 : E G B D
A : A C# E
G : G B D

C major scale is : C D E F G A B D
If we begin to play the scale on the sixth degree (A), we find a minor
scale :
A B C D E F G
This scale is called the relative minor as it's obtained from the major
scale.
All these notes are used to form chords in the verse part. You can
therefore use this scale to play the verse part.

If we look to the chorus part, you will observe the disparition of C and
the apparition of C#. This note is really important as it's the only
difference between the verse and the chorus. You must play this note when
reaching the A chord if you want your public to hear the difference. We can
find this note in the D minor harmonic scale :
D E F G A Bb C#  (you can notice that the other notes used in the chorus
are also in this scale) ==> this scale is really similar to the A min rel
scale.

Now, let's take a look to Harp note patterns.
On a C harp :
A minor relative is quite easy to play as it's the same note than the C
major scale (all natural notes ar okay !!)
D minor harmonic is also quite easy : 1 +2 2'' 2 3'' 3' 4' 4 +5 5 +6 6 +6°
7° 8 +8 9 +9 10 +10'' 10° : if you play the blues scale in third position,
it will be bluesy, but it will be okay. There are overnotes, but the
important C# can be played on the bent fourth hole if you don't have them
yet. You can also try to play the A minor relative scale and just play C#
instead of C when you arrive on the A chord. As I said, I can't play the
song, I don't know what's best, you must try ;)

On a G harp :
A min rel : 1 + 2 2'' 2 3'' 3' +4 4 +5 5 +6 6 +6° +7 8 +8 9 +9 10 +10'' +10
...
D min harm : 2 3'' 3' +4 4 +4° +5° +6 6 +6° +7 8 +8' +9' +9 10 +10'' +10
==> The A min rel is really easy to play (except for maybe the overnote if
you don't play it). The D min harmo is more complexe. Again, you can try
playing the A min rel and just play C# (2', +5°, or +9')  when you reach
the A chord.

Finally, D harp :
A min rel : 2 3'' 3' +4 4 +4° 5 +6  6 +6° +7 8 +8' 9 +9 10 +10'' +10 ==>
really similar to the blues A scale, but you must avoid playing 3; +4° is a
really nice addition if you play overnotes.
D min harm : +1 1 +1° 2'' 2 3''' 3 +4 4 +4° 5 +6 6' 7 +7 ...==> Once again,
I'm not sure the full D min harm scale is necessary. You can try playing A
min rel and play 3 or 7 when reaching the A chord.

Let's look F harp for curiosity :
A min rel : +2 2' 2 3'' 3 +4 4 +5 +5° +6 6 7 +7 8 +8 +9' +9 10 +10' +10 ==>
your tonic (A) is always on a blow note (+2, +5 +8), it's more difficult to
"play" with the note as you can't bend it.
D harm min : D is the minor relative of the F major scale. You can use the
same pattern than the A min rel scale on the C harp. To play the minor
harmonic, you must raise the 7th degree of 1/2 step (playing 3''' instead
of 2 and 6' instead of +6)

If D harmonic minor brings something interesting, I would suggest using C
harp. If not, D and G are good choices. If you pick D, just avoid playing 3
when playing the verse ;) F will need more technic to bring something
interesting.

Good harpin' ;)

Seb
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