Tongue Block Study 1 Sheet Music In the Wrong Key?
Hi just joined. I used to play clarinet and sax and was a music teacher.
I'm doing Tongue Block Study 1 Walk With Me and I'm confused. The instructions at the top say Key of E but the sheet music is in Key of C. Yes I know that each harmonica has the same patterns for scales but why not use the correct key For the notes?
im going to have to use the Tabs instead of notes because it's messing with my musical sensibilities. Lol. :-)
OK so if I understand correctly what you're saying is the music will always be written in the key of C with or without tabs and if there is a key change then they would indicate key of E and you would pull out your E harp but the notation would still be Key of C. Correct?
Correct but it's more than likely the song will be in second position so you would require your A harp to give you E. Unless of course it's being played in another position. I know it becomes a little involved but enjoy the journy.
The notation will always be for a C harp. But depending on the position, the written *key* may be G (in second position on a C harp), C (in first position), or D (in third position). Others are possible, of course, but those are the three universally used key positions in blues.
Just use the key of harmonica indicated. Draw 2 will always be written as middle G, Blow 1 as middle C, Draw 1 as middle D, and so on.
Having played other instruments in my own past, including classical cello, the use of C for all transcriptions here was a tad confusing for me, as well. But it didn't take long for me to realize that there is a distinct lack of madness to David's method. It works well with respect to diatonic harmonica. I'm also working on playing C chromatic harp in muliple keys, but switching back and forth between David's transcriptions and actually paying attention to key signatures, and notes on the staff, just adds to the fun.
You know that when clarnet and tenor sax read and finger a C, but it comes out as Bb? (Or Eb on alto and bari, or F on French horn)?
Just as those are transposing instruments, David has initiated the practice of treating the diatonic harmonica as a transposing instrument. Blow 1 is always written as middle C, Draw 2 as middle G, and so on.
Which makes sense.
I've played the pit orchestra in musicals where everything is written at concert pitch but for different keys of diatonic harmonica (and no tab). Think for a moment and compare that with treating it as a transposing instrument so that the poor harmonica player doesn't have to sight transpose (which I had to learn to do).