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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Using the "C Major Scale" to Improvise

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 10/20/2014 - 17:01
marcgraci
marcgraci's picture
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Teacher 9Level 10
Joined: 07/15/2013

Good afternoon, David:

Yesterday, I started to practice the scales that you recommended in my lesson. I am practicing the C Major Scale and am not sure when it can be used. I guess I need some confirmation of my thinking here.

Let's say that I have a C harp in hand. The band calls a tune in C. I would be okay to improvise using the C major scale on a C harmonica. I will focus my lines to resolve on the C.

Now the band calls a tune in G. Can I still use the C harmonica, and the C Major Scale, but just adjust my playing so that I now resolve everything on the G?

I think this might be mostly okay, in this case, because the notes of the C major scale are C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C, and the notes of the G major scale are G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G. All the notes are present, except for that F#. I think it would be preferable to switch to a G harp, though, so all of the notes would match up.

However, if the band called a song in E, I would definitely have to switch harps, because the E scale has four sharps that wouldn't be present in the C Major scale (F#, G#, C#, D#).

I guess my rambling question is: When I play along with a band by using the "C Major Scale", should I use a harp that has the same key as the song key?

Thanks very much!

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Mon, 10/20/2014 - 21:22
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Hello Marc. Comments below...

1) "band calls a tune in C" sure, you can use the C Scale. It won't sound very bluesy, but it's the basis for the key you're playing in... it's a good start.

2) "I now resolve everything on the G" you got it, and the F natural (flat-7th relative to G Major) is a great bluesy note.

3) Nope, stay on your C Harp, this is blues, and we want that free blue note (the F natural).

4) There isn't one answer to this. If you want to play major folk tunes, then yes, switch to the harp that matches the key of the scale... this is 1st Position playing (playing blues in 1st Position requires tons of bending.

By staying on your C Harmonica in the Key of G you're in 2nd Position, which is our best known position in the blues. The F sounds blues... bonus. The C Harmonica in the Key of D is even more bluesy, with the F natural and C natural (flat-3rd and flat 7th). So, by staying on your C Harmonica you get the inherent bluesy sounds of those positions. We can commonly go as far as 5th Position (Key of E on your C Harmonica) before there are so many notes that are different that it doesn't make any more sense to go down this position path.

Check out the lesson "Understanding Position Playing" and "Music Theory Study 2." After you've studied those I'm here to answer more questions if you have them.

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