Blues scale for minor
Hi David. Recoverying from a stroke. I am fortunate since I made the window of opportunity for the clot buster (tPA) by 15 minutes. I was paralyzed on my left side when I entered the ER and walked out of the hospital in three days. The first thing I did was to grab my harmonica to see if I remembered everything and for the most part I did. Brain fog will exists however for several more months. Well that is an interesting prologue to my question. I am using the jam tract for Gm and I want to improvize in third position. I am using a low F harp. I want to follow the 12 bar format. For the one chord I am using DFAC (first, flat third, fifth and flat 7) and finding all the notes that would apply from the Blues Scale (D). For the 4 chord I am using G, elimenate B, D and flat F. For the 5 chord I am using A, flat C , eliminate E, and G. Am I using the correct logic or did my brain lose cdells that contained some important music theory skills? Still working on LOA 9. I have the songs and scales down but still have to work on the theory. You may have to be very specific with your answer to make sure I can follow everything. Thanks for your patience. Stay healthy and happy. Mic
I discovered my first mistake: minor has a flat 6th not a flat 5 th.
Thank you Rob for your encouraging words. I have such a passion for blues harmonica and David's lessons that I am positive it will be beneficial. It is interseting to hear so many people have strokes and that music helps in their recovery. Thanks again. Mic
Wow James, I'm so glad to hear that you're off to a full recovery... how scary.
D F A C is good for the i7... and yes on the D Blues Scale... it's a winner
For the iv7, use G Bb D F... if the music is slow enough, the G Blues Scale is an option
For the v7, use A C E G
Let me know if you have any questions.
It was scary yet definetly puts everything in perpective. Interestingly, my thought process has changed somewhat, I am not sure how. Some things have better clarity than ever and other things I knew well are fuzzy. I am banking on the neuroplasticity of the neurons to elimenate the fuzziness.
To clarify: I had to write evrything down in detail comparing the three chords from the D scale to the C harp. I think the following is correct based on this info. Some notes don't seem to match the jam tract so I more around them. Any suggestions? My goal is to change chords to match the band playing 12 bar blues.
I7: based on DFAC in reference to a C harp
1+, 1 2",3" 4+,4,5,6,7+,8,9,10+,10 I use the 1+ as a passing tone
IV7: based on G, Bb, D F
1,2,2",3',4,5,6+,8,9+,9 Do I use Bb as a passing note?
V7: based on A,C,E,G.
1+,2+ 2, 3",4+,5+,6+,6,7+,8+,9+,10+,10. Seems like a lot of blow notes for a V7 chord. Is that because it is minor? Also 1+,2+ and I think 8+ are not part of the D blues scale. Again, treat them as passing tones?
I seem to be more wordy Again thanks for your patience. Mic
Hello James.
You don't have to use C as a passing tone on the i7 chord... it's a chord tone (flat-7th).
Same with the Bb on the iv7 chord.
For the v7, it's just how the notes fall on the harmonica. The 1+ C on the v7 is a chord tone, so that doesn't have to be a passing tone. The E, though not in the D blues scale, is a chord tone... a chord tone can always be used. In other words, if the band plays it, you can too!
Thank you Dave. I am currently studying Improvising Study 8 and I am spending a lot of time working on one hole at a time. I started adding the 4 hole. I just saw on page 2, the section on Chord Tones. I think much of your answer is referring to thius section. Thanks again. Mic
Mic: I know David will have a perfect and comprehensive answer to your question, but in the meantime, very best wishes for your continuing recovery. And based on a lot of medical research I've read about (and witnessed personally with two musician friends who have suffered strokes), I'm betting that your music will be a really beneficial factor along the road.