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Forums :: Blues Chromatic

Playing major blues

2 replies [Last post]
Tue, 11/29/2022 - 11:31
gabbeauchamp
gabbeauchamp's picture
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Joined: 12/06/2015

Hi,

So when playing a major song in the key of D with a C chromatic harmonica. You just have to be careful not to play the minor third? Like the 2 draw would clash right??

Is there another technique to play on major songs?

Thanks

Gabriel

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Tue, 11/29/2022 - 16:01
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
Expert Winslow Yerxa's picture
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Joined: 01/16/2010
Bluesy clashes are good

You can often use the minor third in major blues:

  • When the IV chord is playing, the minor third is the 7th of that chord.
  • When the I chord is playing, it's the 'blue note" third.
  • When the V chord is playing, it's a pure tension note, which can be used if you're careful about how you do it.

The alternative is to press the slide in on draw 2, 6, and 10, to make the third major instead of minor. 

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Tue, 11/29/2022 - 21:58
#2
UkuleleRob65
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Joined: 06/06/2014
To clash .. or not to clash ... that is the questtion ...

(With apologies to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and I'll refrain from continuing with "Whether 'tis nobler to push the button ... or to stay in third position ...")

Gabriel: While as usual Winslow is spot on, keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules, other than what sounds good.

For a great introducton to how different tunes use the major third and/or the minor third, players like "Big Harp George" Bisharat and Dennis Gruenling make for excellent listening, especially when playing "jump blues" on chromatic. E.g., frequently a sequnce using the major third over the I chord then is repeated over the IV chord, but with the third flatted.

And keep in mind that the C chromatic is not held prisoner by either D minor or D major. Gruenling, and to an even greater extent Big Harp George, use the C chromatic in various keys/positions for various types of blues. Granted, the chording isn't the same in keys other than D (third position), but each position has its plusses and minuses.

And also, keep in mind that in blues, tension is typically the name of the game. Not just minor thirds and flatted 5ths over major chords, but even flatted 9ths, and quarter-tone bends, can really make the chromatic stand out in a crowd of diatonics.

Enjoy!

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