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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hole change studies

3 replies [Last post]
Fri, 07/12/2019 - 22:51
jdg072
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Joined: 07/03/2019

Hello David,

 

I found your hole change studies in the accompaniment chapters very intersting and a new insight on how to approach the harmonica. You tell not to memorize "2 hole draw" , but rather G.

Don' we better memorize:

"2 hole draw" is the root of the 1 chord or the 5th of the 1 chord

"1 blow" is the root is the 4 chord, or the 7th of the 5 chord

2 draw 1/2 step bend is the 3rd of the 5 chord

and so on...

 

I mean, not mention any note names, as the change when you pick up another keyed harominca.

 

BR,Johan

 

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Sat, 07/13/2019 - 09:26
#1
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello BR,Johan. Yes, that is

Hello BR,Johan. Yes, that is another great way to memorize. I commonly have my students do that as well, as a next step.

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Mon, 07/15/2019 - 00:00
#2
jdg072
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Joined: 07/03/2019
Hello David, could you please

Hello David, could you please have a quick look at this chart, see if I got things correct? Many Thanks

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hw1LSnzPCMdmL7o37

edit: Maybe one can add the notes of the blues scale too, so one has a complete set of notes that are sounding OK over the chords? Or are there specific notes that don't match some chords?

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/ez8QxceFXQVip1LP6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nh1kXEnfcsTuxZqJ6

 

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Mon, 07/15/2019 - 10:49
#3
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello jdg072. Your chart

Hello jdg072.

Your chart looks good, well done. Add 10"+ Bb to your IV7 Chart. Also add 9'+ F#/Gb for your V7 Chord. They're not that practical, but they are in the chord.

No, do not include the blues scale in the Hole Changes exercise. The most important notes in music are the notes of the chord. Your goal right now is to memorize and fully own the notes over of the chords. Simply put, the better a player is, the more notes of the chord they use in their accompaniment and improvising (Little Walter used a heck of a lot more than say an average local professional in your area, for example).

Though the blues scale is helpful to learn, we will learn that together later, and will explore its musically significance in detail. For now, focus on the chord tones.

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