Re: [Harp-L] Re:Hit the Road Jack

[Pierre <plavio@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Garry said:

> this list never ceases to amaze me.  how *do* you folks know all this 
> stuff?

Well I don't know how Charles does it, but one way to do it is to listen to 
the tune and try and play along with it, find the melody and/or the main 
riffs somewhere on the low or middle register. Once you get it, try and find 
which note phrases resolve on (find the the note that resolves the tension). 
This gives you the note of resolution, which gives you the key of the tune 
(you are playing). Lets assume that the harp is a C harp, and it resolves on 
the 4 blow, then that implies 3rd position (look this up in a position 
table).

Chances are you already do this (selecting positions) unconciously but just 
haven't thought of it that way. So you're a wizz and you just don't 
appreciate that you are.

By the way, Ray's music is great, great fun to play along with because of 
the fabulous rhythm in his tunes.

Pierre.






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Garry Hodgson" <garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 9:54 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re:Hit the Road Jack


> "CHARLES BASSI" <jeanchar50@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > On a diatonic you probably want to try this in 4th position - i.e., Key 
> > of A (minor) on a C harp.
> > The vamp is A G F E, to fit the chords A min, G, F, E.
> > so it's 6 draw, 6 blow, 5 draw, 5 blow. Actually Ray Charles plays it in 
> > Ab.
> > Don't know what key your son's playing it in.  Hopefully A or E minor!
> > Then try playing the melody - you'll see most of the notes are there in 
> > 4th position.
> > The tricky one is getting a good solid draw bend on hole three - i.e., 
> > down to A on a C harp.
>
> this list never ceases to amaze me.  how *do* you folks know all this 
> stuff?
>
> ----
> Garry Hodgson, Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs
>
> Be happy for this moment.
> This moment is your life.
>
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