scales patterns exercises harp harmonica

Many of us poo-poo the practice of the major scale our instrument was constructed to play so well. Did you know that the C Major Scale on your C Major Harmonica contains the notes needed to play in seven positions?

Here are the full three octaves. Give it a play and let's discus it for a while.

1+ 1 2+ 2" 2 3" 3 4+
4+ 4 5+ 5 6+ 6 7 7+
7+ 8 8+ 9 9+ 10 10'+ 10+

To sum up Part 1...

1) Blues Scale = Play with Bluesy Jam Track (Box, Slow Blues, Minor, etc.)
2) Major Pentatonic Scale = Jam Track with Light Feel (Rhumba, Swing, etc.)

Put the jam track on and play the scale in the following ways, both ascending and descending, in this order...

1) Whole Notes - Each note of the scale held for 4 beats (this is your chance to dial in your tone, bending accuracy, dynamics, breathing and tremolo... don't skip this step.)
2) Half Notes - Each note of the scale held for 2 beats
3) Quarter Notes - Each note of the scale held for 1 beat continue reading...

It's much more fun to practice scales while playing to a jam track. If you're practicing the Blues Scale, then choose a Bluesy jam track, or even better, a Minor Jam track, this way if you accidentally step outside of the Blues Scale, or play a bent note out of tune (like the 3'), you'll know it right away. For the Major Pentatonic Scale use a jam track with a Light feel, like a Rhumba or Swing.

P.S., before doing this, play each scale slowly while playing the same notes on a piano, pitch generator or tuner, to make sure your bends are in tune.

In this lesson we'll dig into the Essential Scales for the blues harmonica player... our C Major Movement Scale, Major Pentatonic and Blues. Video Include: Section 1 - Scales Discussion: Introduction to Essential Scales; What is Essential and for Whom; Section 2 - Essential Scales: C Major Movement Scale; C Major Pentatonic Scale; C Blues Scale; Grouping Scales for Practice; G Major Pentatonic Scale; G Blues Scale; D Major Pentatonic Scale; D Blues Scale; F Major Pentatonic Scale; Section 3 - Closing Words: Closing Words for Essential Scales