LOA 4 , Music Theory Study 2 Second Position
Hi David,
Regarding determinig which key harp to use. The lesson tends to focus on that if you choose the
key of the harp that you can choose to tell the band which key to play in so that you will be in the second postion.
For example: an exert from my notes on your lecture....
Based the 5 th scale degree. For example on a ‘ C ‘ harp:
‘ C’ Harp: C (1rst scale degree)
D (2 nd scale degree)
E (3 rd scale degree)
F (4 rth scale degree)
G (5 th scale degree) = Key of ‘ G ‘
A (6 th scale degree)
B ( 7 th scale degree)
More accurate to say the 5 th scale degree of the key of THAT particular harp
‘ B’ Harp: B (1rst scale degree)
C# (2 nd scale degree)
D # (3 rd scale degree)
E (4 rth scale degree)
F # (5 th scale degree) = Key of ‘F # ‘
G # (6 th scale degree)
A # ( 7 th scale degree)
It seems to me that what I tend to run into more often is...that the Jam track (substitue for ' band ' ) is already playing in their chosen key. Therefore I am choosing the Key of the harp to match the band . So instead of choosing the key of the harp and going up ' five scale degrees' , I am getting the key of the song and working backwords by five scale degrees in order to select the correct harp that I want to play in second postion ? Am I seeing this correctly ?
Thank you for your time
Steven Barta
.... "Yes, you can move backwards five scale degrees, " < - Got it
...." move up four scale degrees from the key the band gives you. Ex., band gives you key of A, you go A B C# D and you grab your D harmonica." ...oooh.
So of the two approaches...which do you find folks most remember ?
Is there a particular memory trick you use....such as...giving some one a 'Back '-hand slap requires all 'FIVE ' - fingers.
...ummm 'FOURk" up....' always hold your fork up . Just being weird with this, but if you have other suggestions...?
Sure, I understand your goal. Yes...
If you have the harmonica IN your CLOSED hand, and you want to go up to the band to tell them the key. Open all your fingers and thumb and that will give you the five-count up to tell the band the key. (C Harmonica in Hand... open them for 1 2 3 4 5 Key of G).
If the BAND tells you the key, there are four letters in the word B A N D, this will remind you to go up four to get the harp key (1 2 3 4 from band Key of G is C Harmonica).
Keep in mind that this requires you to memorize your twelve major keys. If you're not up to that, then use your harmonica position chart.
Hello Steven. Yes, you can move backwards five scale degrees, or move up four scale degrees from the key the band gives you. Ex., band gives you key of A, you go A B C# D and you grab your D harmonica.