Interesting observation, Kingley. Count me in. I also often play the ascending and descending scales differently, e.g. throw in the 3-blow instead of 2-draw coming down. If your playing for speed, the extra tonal nuances of the 2d are not in play. Is that bad form on my part?
"If your playing for speed, the extra tonal nuances of the 2d are not in play. Is that bad form on my part?"
That's something else I'd never thought about as well.
I don't know if it's bad form or not in that instance. Although strictly speaking shouldn't the scales really be played identically whether ascending or descending?
If you really want to put commitment toward this topic, then learn to play the scales while holding the harp upside down. It may take some practice to get fluent, but if you can still play faster starting on the right end of the harp, then it must be a movement thing. If you are still faster starting on the high pitched notes, then it must be a note layout thing.
It's easier for me to go UP the scale actually. I'm not sure though, maybe there is some reason. Funny enough, my speed work is easier going down the harp than up.
hahaha, guys, laugh at me :-D
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2009 2:10 PM
I can play them about the same either direction, but some of the first songs I learned were the Vesper Hymn and the Battle Hymn of the Republic, which both have some long downward runs.
Hi Kingley, Could you let us into the secret of what you do with regards to the scales you practice every day. I am in need of some inspiration and instead spend my time trying to play stuff realistically I am along from perfecting so I think I need to did in and get back to basics again with a daily practice routine. Any chance of a vid. Regards Russ (oxford, UK)
Me too! but I just asked my Mrs who plays piano and clarinet and she says the opposite. Very strange that so many of us find the same thing. I like Gorignak's note layout theory.
Hey Oxharp, look at some of Jason Ricci's videos he has on youtube. He has a few lessons on scales. Those are the ones I practice.
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2009 3:15 PM
read the posts and picked on the points asked by oxharp, Mrverylongusername may be others with regard to playing.
It's a philosophy of mine not to use that word (Practice)
I'm sure Kingley and others will set you straight to do some stuff.
My personal view on this is that if your playing needs some inspiration as stated by Oxharp for example then your approach to playing your chosen musical instrument is all wrong. It quite rightly needs to be addressed.
Now I'm a jazz saxphone player by trade that plays blues harp and other instruments but the fundermental principles are the same.
It boils down to the whole approach to your chosen instrument.To me that is crucial.(Playing and impro = how to approach it right)
I'm sure or I hope it's on on the instructive videos somewhere for blues harp.(I'm not qualified)
sonny boys playing (like him or not that is a great example)
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2009 4:21 PM
its how you hold the harp. the traditional way allows your right hand to push the harp to the left but the left hand is moved by your whole left arm so there's more to move. i hold the harp between my left thumb just below the knuckle and my right index finger wrapped over the end pointing to my left hand laying on the top of the harp with the thumb lightly resting over the 8, 9, and 10 holes. its not the easiest way to explain it I'm sure. any way that's my best guess but i suppose it could be the way the harp is set up.
Major Scale (Ionian mode) in the key of the harp Blues Scales in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th position Minor Scales in 3rd Chromatic Scale in the key of the harp (my slowest scale of all as I'm still learning overblows) I have also started to add in the Minor Scales in 4th and 5th position
What I do rather than do solid chunks of each one is I intersperse them with some playing of tunes, riffs and some other things I'm working on.
Really I should practice the scales solidly for a time then move onto the other stuff in my practice regime, rather than jumping around. I suspect that would garnish better results.
The videos on playing scales that Jason has on YouTube are great. As he quite rightly states they are very, very important. I just wish I had realised that and spent more time on them from the beginning.
Sirsuckalot,
Definitely the way the harp is set up is always a factor in anything. The way of holding the harp could be a contributing factor.
But ultimately I expect it's just years of a lackadaisical attitude to them on my part.
Ness, Go to "the Store" link here on on the website and search for harmonica positions. It has the tabs for all major scales and blues scales in all twelve positions. It's a free download and very usefull, made by Mr.SO&SO here on the forumn.
Also what I did was learn how scales are built and then learn where the notes are on the harp. For me that helped out loads with my theory. The only harp I have committed to memory as far as note layout is the C harp, but the rest really aren't that difficult to work out on a piece of paper.
Side note: I like to practice the major pentatonic and minor pentatonics more than the major scale. The chromatic run is a good one to practice because I believe it helps out with pitch/intonation on your bends and overblows.
Last Edited by on Jul 01, 2009 9:39 AM
