Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Blues Scale

1 reply [Last post]
Sun, 12/06/2020 - 18:05
dmenken
dmenken's picture
Offline
Level 3
Joined: 11/15/2018

Dave, if this question is too complicated to answer easily, please let me know. I don't mean to make extra work. I am never going to progress beyond following along with the notes on your sheet music if I don't learn and memorize the blues scales. If I can't get my hand around scales I can't master position playing. So here is the question: can you recommend lessons on the site that I should review to learn the concept of the blues scale. I'll take a month just learning this if it pushes me to the next level. (Incidentally, I just passed LOA3). Maybe, if I learn all ths cool stuff, and we're out of lockdown by next October (10 months), I can bring my harmonicas with me on the Legendary Blues Cruise. Thanks, David.

Top
Mon, 12/07/2020 - 08:41
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello David. We don't move

Hello David.

We don't move to other positions until LOA-L8, so I wouldn't lose sleep over that subject. The reason why I start the subject early in your training is because it is a difficult subject to wrap your brain around, so it's smart to give you little drops on the head about the ideas over time. When you start to learn songs in different positions you'll start to feel/hear what each position has to offer, and it will start to make more sense.

Same thing with scales. Your focus right now is more to listen and copy... the scales are used more as a movement exercise. As you advance in your studies, these scales can help give you options of sound in your improvising.

With that said, yes, there are lessons...

- Music Theory Study 2... focuses on Positions

- Movement Exercises Study 2... focuses on essential scales

- Understanding Position Playing... is a general lesson on understanding positions

- Improvising Study 8... focuses on the ratio of chord tones and scale tones while soloing

- Improvising Study 9... focuses on why we use scales for soloing (the feels they give us)

- Music Theory Study 4... focuses on the ratio of chord tones and scale tones while soloing

- Music Theory Study 5... focuses on soloing scales

Top

Sign me up!

The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! We accept major credit cards and PayPal.

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com