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

Theory #3 follow up question

1 reply [Last post]
Sat, 10/13/2018 - 09:36
gwknopp@gmail.com
gwknopp@gmail.com's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/19/2015

Just would like to clarify the following relative to Exercise 1.5

When you ask us for the chords made from the C Major C, D, E, F G etc each of the chords made from the respective notes is based on the Major scale of that note.  

So D F# A and therefore the Dm is D F A.   My confusion had been that I looked at D in the C Major scale and said okay its D, F, A so therefore the minor triad wouldl be D E A.  That is faulty?  

So each of the triads for the respective chords is built using the Major chord of the note.  Thus D F# A  and minor therefore D F A and the B in the C scale would be based on the major chord of B D and F# therefore Bm would be B c# F#.

Now, how does playing in Second position impact all of this?  If Im playing a C harp second position in G are all my chords then based on the G major scale with a flat 7th?  Is the chord for the 7th scale degree (F natural) based on that F or F#?  Maybe this is a stupid question.

So then as I look at the harp, only some of these chords can be played directly pending the hole placement.  Dm Yes, Am no.  

Im getting there David.  

Gary K

Top
Sat, 10/13/2018 - 10:08
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Gary. All good

Hello Gary. All good questions.

All of the chords based on the major scale are not major. The I, IV, and V are major (note the use of upper case Roman numerals). The ii, iii, and vi are minor (note the use of lower case to denote minor). The vii is diminished (notated at vii-dim). This is taught in Music Theory Study 3.

The chords commonly used for blues are the I, IV and V (all major). In the blues, we commonly add the 7th, as you've stated. For this 7th, we're looking for a minor 3rd interval from the 5th of the chord (a minor third is three half steps from one note to the next)... this sometimes just happens when stacking the notes (the V7 for example) and sometimes we have to modify it (IV7 and I7 for example).

If we're playing a C Harmonica in 2nd Position, this places you and the band in the key of G. The I7 would be G B D F (D to F is three half steps... a minor 3rd). IV7 is C E G Bb and V is D F# A C.

To summarize... use the chords as they're spelled when building them from the major scale and throw a note a minor third above the 5th to get that bluesy note we like to play. Also keep working through the music theory material and accompaniment playing... they both cover music theory, in a different way (it helps to have different approaches).

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

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 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com