Missing Notes
Hi David, Firstly I love this course, You've clearly worked very hard getting this right, well done and thank you.
However, there is a point I'm just not getting, I hope you can help please.
I'm working though Music Theory Study 1 - Basics of Music, I'm on Section 2, Ex.2.4 there i'm told three notes are not available and i understand they are available by Bending, However what i don't understand is this, How are those notes replaced?
This becomes more of an issue when i continue with the course.
On Section 3 Ex.3.4 You ask us (the student) to fill in the sheet for each Key of harmonica, however how can we if we don't know the missing notes and how to replace them.
Hope i've made this clear enough to be understood!
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Calum Greenall
Hi David, Sadly you have'nt answered my question, Perhaps my question was confusing.
Please let me try again.
On Music Theory Study 1 - Basics of Music Section 2 EX.2.4 There is no explanation regarding the Missing notes and How they are replaced.
This is an important step because it sets the pattern for the other Keys in Ex.3.5.
Many thanks,
Calum
Hello Calum. The first step to understand is that those are missing notes, and that the harmonica was designed without them. So, from the designers standpoint, those notes are missing on purpose and are not replaced. If you're playing a melody that requires one of the missing notes, then you'll choose to play it in the middle octave where there are no missing notes.
The reason why the F a A are missing in the lower octave is so that you can have a C Chord (C E G) on holes 1 through 3 blow and a G Chord in holes 1 through 3 draw (G B D, ordered in this case D G B). If the F or A were included, those two important chords would not be playable. The missing B in the upper octave was a choice of the designer to use C instead of B... to include both B and C the harmonica would need 11 holes. The C note (home note in the key of C) is a more important note than B.
The technique of bending came along later and I teach you which notes are available in the videos (and you exercise which notes are available in Ex. 2.5).
All of this is actually not needed to fill out Ex. 3.5, I'm just asking that you fill in all twelve keys of the major scale, and is independent of the harmonica... these are just standard major scales.
P.S., you'll learn more about the chords in Music Theory Study 2 and 3 and you'll get an even more in-depth answer in regards to why those notes are missing (some chord knowledge is needed first).
After reviewing the lesson videos and PDF, let me know if I can help with further clarification.
Hullo David,
Oh Thank you very much for clearing my misunderstanding.
I thought the twenve key sheet was the Harmonica notes layout.
I will now continue with my lessons and try not to disturb you again.
Kind regards,
Calum
Questions are always welcome Calum
Thank you for your kind words Calum... I'm glad you're enjoying your studies. Example 2.3 shows you where the notes are, so use that as your reference. The first note is 1+ (1 blow) C, so place C in the hole at the far left, top row. The next note is 1 draw D, so place that D in the hole at the far left, bottom row. Follow this process until the harmonica is completely filled in.
Let me know if you have any further questions.