Positions, chords etc, Accompaniment study 2
As an old woodwind player who never had to confront chords, I am most confused.
I realize you discuss theory in terms of a C harp, but I am generally lost.
1- We discuss the C harp is really played in the key of G as this is the 5th above C. But we then discuss the root note for the exercise as G but it is played on an A harp in the example. If its played on an A harp then the root would really be E (5th above A). So is the exercise really written in E? But, when I look at the chart, there are no sharps or flats, hence key of C.
2- Are we saying that every 12 bar blues is generally based on those chords I, IV and V? I would expect that the exact I chord would vary based what the tune is written in.
3- If a tune were written in G could that be played straight harp in a G Harp or else in a second position C harp? confusion raises its head when I look at the notes on an A harp and do not see a G (natural).
This is a great lesson but very hard to digest in this format. Thanks for taking questions
Gary
Scottsdale, Arizona
Just as one follow up
So if the music (band) is in the key of G then G becomes our I chord. And the way to get the G on the C harp is via second position. So why is the A harp Im playing in tune with the music in the exercise? Based on own trial, I know the C harp is not the one to be played with this tune. But could it be if I were to blow or draw a different note on the C harp. Sorry for being dense. I know if I had grown up playing keyboard or guitar I would have had this baked in already.
"So if the music (band) is in the key of G then G becomes our I chord. And the way to get the G on the C harp is via second position." Yes, you got it!
"So why is the A harp Im playing in tune with the music in the exercise?" Because the band is in the Key of E, and your A Harmonica plays in the key of E in 2nd Position. As long as your harmonica matches the band's key, you're good to go.
There's a Harmonica Position Chart on this page http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/understanding_position_playing for you to reference. Match the band key (jam track in your case) with the correct harmonica in 2nd Position and you can play in any key you wish.
Question withdrawn
Okay, I think Ive made progress. Just to clarify
C Harp
First Position: Key of G; I chord C
Second Position: Key of D; I chord G
A Harp
First Position: Key of E, I chord A
Second Position: Key of B, I chord E
So unless I got beyond second postion, these two harps will play in keys of E, D, E, and B
Thanks! and Merry Christmas
Duplicate
No worries, this is a complicated subject for a beginner to understand, this is why I generally don't spend time teaching it in the beginning materials... just pick up the harp and play what I recommend... I'll teach you the theory a little bit later.
Before I answer, have you seen the lesson on Understand Position Playing? If not, I highly recommend you look at that, it will either answer all these mysteries for you, or at least get you closer to it. The link is http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/understanding_position_playing. I assume you already studied the Music Theory Study lessons, of which Music Theory Study 2 covers position playing http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/music_theory_study_2_modes_positions
Now to answer your questions...
"On a C harp if the bass guitar player hits a C is my 1 blow C the same note?"
You got it
"This is where I am falling apart. If I were on an A harp, I don’t see a C natural to be played."
You're correct, there is no C. 1+ on an A harmonica is A.
Let's jump over to your next question, because there's a disconnect here that will be answered by #2 below...
"2 - It appears to me that a C harp can be played straight in the key of G or Cross Harp in the key of D"
You almost have this. Straight Harp, known as 1st Position, is playing a harmonica in the same key it's tuned.
So, the C harmonica plays in the key of C, or A harmonica in the key of A. Cross Harp, also known as 2nd Position, is playing your C harmonica in the key of G or A harmonica in the key of E. This can be done because they are very closely-related keys.
Thinking on a C harmonica, the home scale (what the harmonica is tuned to) is C D E F G A B C. The key of G is very close to the key of C, only having one note different. The G scale is G A B C D E F# G. You can either bend to achieve that F# or just avoid the F natural (like the 5 draw) when it can't be bent. You'll learn later that the F natural is actually a good note in 2nd Position, a note that sounds bluesy, so it's a bonus to us blues player. So, 2nd Position is a very closely-related key, this is why we can make it work.
"If the band is playing in the key of F I would need a different harp." That's correct, you will use a Bb (B flat) harmonica.
Each harmonica can commonly play in up to three keys, what's known as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Positions. The C harmonica can play in C, G or D. Bb harmonica can play in Bb, F and C. A harmonica in the keys of A, E, B. The list goes on. In the Understanding Position Playing lesson (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/understanding_position_playing) there's a Harmonica Position Chart that will tell you what key of harmonica you will need to match the band, in any position you choose to play in.
Where your misunderstanding is, is in the idea of only needing to "think" in one key, or position.
When you play your C Harmonica in the Key of G, this is called 2nd Position. If my music notation indicates you to play G, 2 draw, that is the root note of your home chord, the one chord.
Now, if the band is playing in the Key of E, looking at your Harmonica Position Chart, you will need an A harmonica to play in the Key of E. Again, you will find that the root note of your home chord, the one chord, is 2 draw. The where you play on the harmonica is always the same, each harmonica is approached the same... same hole numbers... just the pitch changes, thus making sure to use the position chart to grab the correct harmonica.
The root note of your one chord is ALWAYS found on 2 draw if you're playing in 2nd Position. This is why we just "think" as if we're playing a C Harmonica in the Key of G. All my music notation is written this way, it helps you in the fact that you only need to memorize one key of harmonica and the chords of that harmonica played in 2nd Position (our most common position). If you then make sure you're matching the correct harmonica with the key of the band, then you're good.
Again, make sure you go through Music Theory Study 2 (of course going through Study 1 first) and the Understanding Position Playing as well. The material I present there is the most comprehensive available to understanding position playing.
Hello Gary.
1) Always "think" as if you're playing on the C Harmonica in the key of G, no matter what harmonica is in your hand. Playing your C harmonica in C is called 1st Position (more on this later in the advanced lessons)... C harmonica in G is called 2nd Position and C harmonica in D is called 3rd Position (again, more on that much later).
2) Yes, the 12 Bar Blues Progression is generally the same. If the band says, "Shuffle in the key of x, from the turnaround" then it's assumed a standard 12 Bar Blues Progression. If there's some alteration to the form, then they will let you know.
Yes, if the song is in the key of D, then the I chord is a D chord. You would grab your G harmonica to play in the key of D. Again, you would still think of your music theory as being based on the C harmonica in the key of G though. Knowing that the I chord is a G chord, and G is found on 2 draw on your harmonica, it will match. It doesn't matter which harmonica you have in your hand, 2 draw will always be the root note of the I Chord in 2nd Position, thus only the need to "think" on one key of harmonica
3) Yes, if the song is in the key of G you can use you G harmonica and play in what is called 1st position.
I recommend you go through the Music Theory Study lessons. With your prior music experience you'll go through this material quickly and will help to answer all of these questions in a more logical mater.
Keep the questions as you need answers.