Using the upper end.
So many items beg our attention these days that now more than ever our priorities must be set. As each year goes by, yes year! - they seem to pass as quickly as a week once did - I'm at a loss to account for why I didn't spend more time reading the Bible, nurturing my wife and children....practicing the harmonica. How much richer would each coming day be if we set our priorities aright?
Turn off the TV and read to your children, play a song for your family or friends. Spend time with others doing anything. I remember the day I was first introduced to the harmonica. I was visiting a friend in college. I came to his room and the door was open. From within I heard a sweet little tune being played. Sure enough Shawn had a hidden talent. He explained the workings of the little wonder device to me and not too many days later I had bought my own. Who could imagine how that little meeting would affect
my musical pursuits?
In case you've doubted the harmonica's effectiveness as a musical instrument, take notice of how many commercials, both radio and TV, employ our little friend. The Harmonica Speaks!
Using the upper end:
C Diatonic 2nd position: G
|
C |
E |
G |
C |
E |
G |
C |
E |
G |
C |
|
D |
G |
B |
D |
F |
A |
B |
D |
F |
A |
Scale Steps for G
|
4 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
|
5 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
Using these "maps" you may find it easier to navigate your way on the upper end of your harp. For starters, try this little octave ditty:
Step: 5 4 3 5 4 3 5 4 3 5 4 3 7 6 5 7 6 5
Note: D C B / D C B / D C B / D C B / F E D / F E D /
Hole: 4 4 3 4 4 3 8 7 7 8 7 7 5 5 4 9 8 8
Steps are scale steps, so that this can translate to any key harmonica. Notes are for the C diatonic.
On the Hole numbers, I've underlined Blow notes. Do this ditty in simple 4/4 time, using the "/" as a rest.
After getting a feel for this you can now translate your riffs from the low end to the upper register of your harp. Yes the breathing pattern is different and everything seems backwards up here, but practice will overcome this and lead you to a greater expanse of available notes.
BIll