Hello again, Tabulators.
This is part 2 of 2 postings, listing a few slide harp tab systems. For more information, read part one.
Mainly a traditional note reader, I use tab with music that is new to me, if it has accidentals (notes not in the given key). Whatever works, to shorten the learning time.
On another subject, a few Sliders agreed that the B major scale is a difficult scale (on a C harp, presumably) and it is rarely used. In my opinion, that should be the main reason to master it.
For me, no major or minor scale is difficult. If a tune is in B, I use a B chromatic, first position. It's as easy as picking up a B harp. The blow-draw pattern is identical for first position on all 7 major key harps, all 12 keys.
The price of the purchase of a set of 12 differently tuned harmonicas (or 7 harps, using the button out for a scale, and the button in for another scale) is expensive today, but it was less expensive 12 years ago, when my set was completed. All Hohner 270s.
Here are a few more tab systems for slide chromatic harps. This isn't complete, but it will allow you to "translate" a new tab system into your current system or into traditional music notation.
Traditional music notation is the preferred stystem, because it has evolved over
6+ centuries, while the chromatic harmonica tablature systems are no more than
100 years old. Traditional music notation gives the performer much more information than the tablature systems.
7. White numbers outlined in black (exhale), black numbers (inhale). A large black dot (.) is a rest. A "b" to the right of a hole number is a flatted note (slide in), a "#" to the right of a hole number is a sharped note (slide in) (Pocket Harmonica Songbook, by David Harp, Musical i Press, 1993).
8. Hole numbers with arrows (up-exhale, down-inhale). A short horizontal dash above the hole number for slide in (Jazz Harp, by Richard Hunter, Oak publication).
9. Solid black circles with white hole numbers inside (exhale), solid white circles with black hole numbers inside (inhale), # sign to the left of a circle for slide in (undated Hohner booklet by Dave Harp).
10. Hole numbers listed with "In" (inhale) or "Out" (exhale) below the hole numbers.# sign to the left of hole number for slide in. Same booklet, author & publisher as #9 above.
11. Numbers of tablature syetem aren't harmonica hole numbers, but scale numbers (1 is "do," 2 is "re," etc. up through 7("ti"). A dot on the right side of the number represents an extended value note (held longer than un-dotted number).
A (#) sign to the left of a number, and a (b) sign to the left of a number are slide in. A number with a dot below it, is played an octave lower than an undotted number. A number with a dot above it is played an octave higher than an undotted note.
System #11 is from a Chinese harmonica duet, "The Sun Is Coming Out," from the musical, "White Haired Girl," by He Jingzhi, Ding Yi, Ma Ke, Zhang Lu, Chen Zi, Qu Wei, Huan Zhi, Xiang Yu, and liu Zhi (1940).
12. Hole numbers followed by a (-) sign are inhale, hole numbers followed by a(+) are exhale. A black number and sign are placed inside a white circled note head for half notes, dotted half notes or whole notes (two foot taps or longer in 4/4 time).
A white number and sign are placed inside a solid black circle note head for quarter notes and smaller value notes. A sharp (#) or flat sign (b) to the left of the note head is for slide in.
The above number 12 system was developed in the book, Tabulated Music for Harmonica, Reference Data for Harmonica, written and published by Ron Ervin(1997).
Best Wishes.
John Broecker
