Advice for beginners

[roady43]

Hi Roady

I call it a melodic layout, because there is no really reasonable chord playing with augmented (only major thirds or augmented triads)
 

But how versatile is the solo tuning with respect to chord play? I don't play the solo tuning so I took a look at how well it does in a few different keys with respect to chord play. ==>snip    

Fact is that composers as Villa-Lobos wrote solo concertos for the harmonica taking the chord play (and arpeggio) possibilities of solo tuning into consideration. That means that if I would like to study these pieces (with augmented tuning), I would have to renounce these chords which actually would be a loss for the charm of the composition or make it pointless to play...

Nevertheless I would not consider to leave augmented for that reason!

roady43

[triggerfinger]

Hi Banjo

Nice breakdown of the chord possibilities Trigger. I am already too much invested in the solo tuning but you make a great case for the alternate tuning of augmented.

I played guitar in standard tuning for decades before switching to an all 4ths tuning.  The longer you play in one tuning the more difficult the switch. One could adopt the attitude of "It's to late." or the attitude of "No time like the present.".

I am learning to play harmonica with augy tuning only because it is a very simple tuning. Out of all the possible tunings of the slide chromatic harp it is the most voice-like tuning.

[mikesmics]

Okay, here's one everyone is gunna hate me for: 

Loose your idols kids! (You can always come back to those after you learn which notes are behind which holes) Wanna sound like Adler, Toots, Stevie, Chmel or whoever? That's a whole 'nother problem. 

Resist the juvenile temptation to play the Chromatic version of "air guitar" and get familiar with the Chromatic and what it can do. Develop your own embrasure, get a good lip seal and so on. (there's plenty to get familiar with before you start trying to be someone else) I know it isn't glamorous, but stick to the basics at least till you can play a couple numbers perfectly. Yeah, you'll sound mechanical, but everything starts with mechanics. Your new car may be beautiful, but under the hood (bonnet) inside that engine are a whole bunch of ugly, oily, unbecoming parts, but (and you all know where I'm going here) they are ultimately what end up moving your butt down the highway.

Growing up we had a saying, "If you can't hop it; chrome it!" A lot of guys spent a lot of money at the chrome shop, but they never even bothered going to the drag strip cuz they knew their cars were not "performers" and would get their headlights sucked out in the "performance" world. They sacrificed "performance" for style, and even though style may look cool, it'll never win when "performance" is what counts. Musicians are performers.   


Make a Joyful Noise!

@ge

That's the best [darned]  and simplest advice I've ever heard on learning the chromatic! 

[mikesmics]

If you play by ear, move away from the tonic key as soon as possible. Playing only the tonic keys will get you "brain-locked" quicker than you can chatter your slide. On a standard 16 holer for example, Aviod learning numbers in C, D flat and A minor. Learning to play stuff in B and E will get you familiar with the Chromatics' layout much faster. (If I started doing that sixty years ago, I'd be so good I probably wouldn't even talk to you guys  ) Ha Ha!

So what about in my case where I just find a song I like, and attempt to learn it in whatever key it is being played in? (Of course I have absolutely NO idea what the key is).

[Gnarly He Man]

As far as chords on the chromatic--
There aren't many 
But I like the pentatonic possibilities solo tuning allows, especially when using the C7 (bebop) tuning.
G

[SlideMeister]

So what about in my case where I just find a song I like, and attempt to learn it in whatever key it is being played in? (Of course I have absolutely NO idea what the key is).

That's fine too. Not every song out there is going to be in C, D flat or A minor. You'll find some but that's okay. Goto: http://www.wkhr.org (that's my local OFRS (old farts radio station down the road) They play all the old stuff. Just play along with whatever you hear. Works for me.

@ge

[triggerfinger]

Hi Gary

But I like the pentatonic possibilities solo tuning allows, especially when using the C7 (bebop) tuning.

Huh?!@#$%^&

[Gnarly He Man]

Breath direction the same on adjacent holes--so legato pentatonic patterns.
Not C so much, although C E G
F has F A
G is great! A B D, also E G
Bb is good too, Bb C (2 ways, and if you do it with the button, the D is there too--and without the button, G Bb), D F, F G if you use the button--but mostly I mean without the button, so Eb is also a good key, as is Ab--Db not so much, Gb some, B actually pretty good (G# B C# with button in, D# F#).
D is good on paper, I'm trying to get better at it.
Gary

[landztranz]

If this matter has been discussed before, please direct me to the relevant topic.

I have a very simple question (or is it? ):
When playing a song that covers quite a bit of ground, does the shape of the mouth remain more or less the same, or does it change somewhat (or a lot)? For example, do you have to open your mouth wider in order to "grab" a non-adjacent note?

In brief, do the shape and size of the mouth change when playing, and, if so, do they change a lot, a little, etc.?

Barry

[SlideMeister]

You can (at least I do) change embouchure as much as you like during a number. You can sound as consistent as a piano, or change embouchure (any time) and sound more like a keyboard changing effects. In the tonic key (and occasionally other keys) you can open up a bit to grab the adjacent note to add chord like effects.

Relax. It's a harmonica. There's no maestro standing next to you ready to rap your knuckles with a baton.

[landztranz]

Tnx, Age!

BTW, when I said "grab" a note, I didn't mean an additional note to make a chord...
I meant a single note.

Barry
P.S. I know "relax" is a key word.

[playandteach]

My Hohner CX 12 is now whistling (had it a few days). It might be that it whistled on day one, but I was still trying to find single notes then.
High pitched whistling (or high harmonics - hard to tell - but it might be a couple of octaves above the played note). Seems to happen on all notes more or less.
Have I done something to it, is it a technique thing, am I just latching on to something that is always there? Any tips gratefully received.
I did try searching for this, but haven't had any luck.
Pete

[Jimmy Halfnote]

Have you had it to bits Pete ? It sounds kinda like the slide is not fully going in or out. Break it down and rebuild it will only take five minutes, draw the slide out first ( press underneath the button), press and push the back retaining bar/spring until free, then the body and plates will fall out. Give the shell a light tap open end down in case there is any debris, then put together, body/plates go in first making sure they seat properly, there are 4 plastic lugs that line up to shell , then retaining bar/spring to hold in tight, lastly the slide goes back in.
                              If that does not work or help , try taking the slide spring off and putting it back on the other way round.

                             Good luck                                         jh.

[smojoe]

What's the one (or more) things about harmonica you wish you knew when you started? (or something to that effect). was the question

short answer: Learn to read music. BUT play both by ear AND reading. That way you're not trapped.
smo-joe

[Gnarly He Man]

It's a lot easier to play when you can read, even if you know the melody.
I don't know if reading helps you "fake" tho . . .
PS. This thread is full of good advice!

[McManus]

Is there a thread that walks you through how to learn to read music?  Is there a way to incorporate learning to read music with learning to play the C in multiple keys?

[streetlegal]

Get yourself some Christmas carol sheet music. If you are familiar with the tunes then you will find it easier to read the notes.

http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/downloads/ChristmasSongs.html

[drshock]

This book may be helpful. Any music teacher could also help to understand theory and sight reading...even if they do not play harmonica. Read the reviews on the book and see if it fits.

http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Reading-Music-Book-Understanding/product-reviews/1593373244/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

[smojoe]

Get yourself some Christmas carol sheet music. If you are familiar with the tunes then you will find it easier to read the notes.

http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/downloads/ChristmasSongs.html

MY man. Christmas carols are the easiest.

 Here's the deal. The lines are..ascending in the treble clef: E, G, B, D, F. So the addresses on a 48 reed khrome Klondike ARE:
#2 hole blow, #3 hole blow, #4 hole draw, #5 hole draw, #6 hole draw. The spaces ascending in the treble clef: F, A, C, E. So the addresses are: #2 hole draw, #3 hole draw, #4 hole draw (slide in + B#) OR #s 4 & 5 hole blow. That's it.

You only need to learn ONE octave. ALL sharps are going to be the note you play and push the slide in. The flats vary. I'll leave that one for you to play with. I mean jeez guys, I can't do all the work for you...can I?.... lol

smo-joe   

[MikeB]

Okay, here's one everyone is gunna hate me for: 

Loose your idols kids! (You can always come back to those after you learn which notes are behind which holes) Wanna sound like Adler, Toots, Stevie, Chmel or whoever? That's a whole 'nother problem. 

Resist the juvenile temptation to play the Chromatic version of "air guitar" and get familiar with the Chromatic and what it can do. Develop your own embrasure, get a good lip seal and so on. (there's plenty to get familiar with before you start trying to be someone else) I know it isn't glamorous, but stick to the basics at least till you can play a couple numbers perfectly. Yeah, you'll sound mechanical, but everything starts with mechanics. Your new car may be beautiful, but under the hood (bonnet) inside that engine are a whole bunch of ugly, oily, unbecoming parts, but (and you all know where I'm going here) they are ultimately what end up moving your butt down the highway.

Growing up we had a saying, "If you can't hop it; chrome it!" A lot of guys spent a lot of money at the chrome shop, but they never even bothered going to the drag strip cuz they knew their cars were not "performers" and would get their headlights sucked out in the "performance" world. They sacrificed "performance" for style, and even though style may look cool, it'll never win when "performance" is what counts. Musicians are performers.   


Make a Joyful Noise!

@ge

    This thread might be old, but there is still a lot of valuable information. The above quote really hit home with my present frustrations. I was trying to play in different keys before I was familiar with the first basic key of "C". Even that simple change can be the cause of great frustrations. I am forced to rethink my practice sessions and take a step back & get the basics first before stepping up to the next level. Not only am I trying to unlearn the hand positioning of the diabolic, but I am trying to learn what sound is associated with the note on the music staff. I believe I tasked myself with too much before moving up to the next step.