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Conference mr1pst::music

Title:MUSIC V4
Notice:New Noters please read Note 1.*, Mod = someone else
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Wed Oct 09 1991
Last Modified:Tue Mar 12 1996
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:762
Total number of notes:18706

218.0. "Blues Harmonica" by MISERY::CORTOPASS_DA () Thu May 07 1992 19:51

	There must be a few of you out there that play blues harmonica.
	I thought there might be some interest on sharing techniques, riffs,
	etc.

	A couple of weeks ago I picked up a Marine Band Harmonica in C
	and an instruction book by David Harp.  Took me about 3 days to
	finally draw-bend a 3.  I've improved a bit and can now play a
	few blues licks.  Wish I started this 10 years ago.  This is a
	blast.

	So far I can draw-bend most notes 1 thru 6 and can even blow-bend 8
	by mistake occasionally.

	Anyway, I'm kind of hooked now, and intend to get a few more harmonicas
	in some other keys.  I was thinking of getting one in D and another in
	A for playing cross harp.

	I saw a Lee Oscar in Em and was wondering what the benifit is to using
	a harp in a minor key (relative Gmaj).  Couldn't you just use the
	relative major key harmonica (a forth up = C)?  Or is the Em used for
	straight harp?

	I've also been told that some players sometimes use a harmonica up a
	5th rather than a 4th for crossharp.  Whatz the scoop?

	DC
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218.1RAVEN1::BLAIRWhat *is* it, Man?Thu May 07 1992 19:543
    
    DC, you may want to also check the harp notes in the after_hours (Blues)
    conference for more on literature, brands, playing.
218.2Add entry ????MISERY::CORTOPASS_DAThu May 07 1992 21:094
    Where is the after_hours conference?  I'd like to add it to my notes.
    
    Thanx, dc
    
218.3SALSA::MOELLERTruth is shorter than fictionFri May 08 1992 00:508
    I've got several harps, used to play okay.. the deal is the key the
    harp is in (breath out) is a fifth above they key the SONG is in.. that
    is, the song is in the same key as (breath in) is a fourth above the
    key the harp is in.
    
    So for a blues in D you need an A harp.
    
    karl
218.4CSLALL::HENDERSONSpending that renegade pesoFri May 08 1992 12:4316

RE:                   <<< Note 218.2 by MISERY::CORTOPASS_DA >>>
                              -< Add entry ???? >-

   > Where is the after_hours conference?  I'd like to add it to my notes.
    
    
   Right now its at AKOFIN::AFTER_HOURS





 Jim    

218.5FROST::SIMONBirds can't row boatsFri May 08 1992 13:1715
>    So for a blues in D you need an A harp.
    
	Are you sure you haven't got this backwards?  For blues in A you 
	use a D harp?  Same as for blues in G you use a C harp and for
	blues in E you use an A harp?   At least this is the way I believe
	it is for second position harp (cross harp).  I know it's been
	awhile since I did any serious harp playing , but this is how
	I remember it.

	Also... Living Blues magazine had a good issue that was primarily
	a blues harp issue back a few months ago.  Lots of stuff on 
	different techniques and a history of all of Muddy Waters' harp
	players.  

	_gary
218.6MISERY::CORTOPASS_DAFri May 08 1992 16:149
    Never even seen a "Living Blues Magazine".  Wouldn't mind reading the
    article though.  Are back issues available via mail order?  An address
    or phone number would be appreciated.
    
    RE: -1
    For blues in D you need a G harp (a 4th up).  But a salesman in a music
    stor told me that some harp players do use a 5th occasionally.
    
    dc
218.7CAMONE::WAYI think I thought I saw you tryFri May 08 1992 17:0816
>    RE: -1
>    For blues in D you need a G harp (a 4th up).  But a salesman in a music
>    stor told me that some harp players do use a 5th occasionally.
    
Way I learned was a 5th up....

But, there are several different positions, as someone mentioned earlier.
So really, if you buy a harp you can use it a couple of different ways.


If you're interested in listening to some good recordings, Aligtr
records have superb blues recordings, and they have one in particular
"Ace of Harps" that is all harp w/ some excellent artists...


frank
218.8USPMLO::DESROCHERSMon May 11 1992 20:3710
    
    Blues scale (mixolydian) is to play a 4th above, ie. the song
    is in G7, then C major (ionian) scale is played.
    
    So, it should be a 4th above or a 5th below (same thing).
    
    Yes?
    
    Tom
    
218.9mixo - fifthREFINE::BARKERI like to do drawrings.Tue May 12 1992 13:047
    Only mixolydian is the fifth, no?
    
    ionian, dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, locrian, aeolian
    
    RIGHT?
    
    -Jesse
218.10USPMLO::DESROCHERSTue May 12 1992 20:2412
    
    	Right.  Mixo is 5th.  I'm thinking "I want to play blues in
    	G7.  What is the 4th of G7 - C".  Coulda thought "what is
    	G7 the fifth of"...
    
    	So, yes, I'm technically backwards.  But my starting point is
    	"what chord am I playing" and it's easier for me to think
    	4th above.
    
    	Tom