scales?
David, when I started playing (several years ago) i learned the major scale 1st postion and used it for pracitce a lot. As time went on I did the same for 2nd and then 3rd , using various keys and going from one scale to another. During all this time I always started on the root. Is it important for me to try to break that habit - I see in theory you don't approach 2nd and 3rd this way.
I was pretty sure you would say that. Well at least have had a lot of practice with part of the exercise. As a side note, I get together with a guy who has been playing since the 70's and he is one of the best I know - he had never played the major scale. He can play everyone from Cotton to Piazza - some people are just born with it, and some of us have to work at it.
All students focus on imitation... these are your study songs. All students focus on technique as well... this way you don't have to wait until you "stumble" across it on your own... these are in your study songs. "Concepts," which are scales, chords, Chorus Forms, Focus Notes, etc., help to speed up the understanding process (this = that = faster connections as a musician)... which use the licks from your study song.
One size does NOT fit all, this is why some student dig the hell out of the theory lessons and others will never touch them... as long as one has the harp in their mouth, as much as possible, they will get there.
My personal opinion, especially as of late... the C Major Scale on you C Major Harmonica is a simple way to development movement, understanding of pitches on your instrument and positions. So... simple scale... high level of usefulness... I like it!
P.S., you coming to next years Harmonica Masterclass Workshop?
I have heard other very good players say that if they had to pick one thing to do for practice that helped them as much as anything it would be doing the major scale. I haven't checked on the dates for the workshop. I will give it a look, but in the end it depends on gig dates. I am fortunate to have a band ( have no idea why they tolerate me) , but it does present a problem making plans. We will be going back to Memphis to play in the IBC again this year and I will keep your advice from last year in mind again - "enjoy making music" - it did help with the nerves.
Great question.
You start with the root as your first step. You then practice starting from any note. My private students play the C Major Scale from 1+ to 4+, then 1 to 4, then 2+ to 5+, then 2" to 5, etc., all the way up the harp. You don't really know a scale until you can do that.
Chords should also be done the same way. For example: G B D, then B D G, then D G B.