Harmonica Lessons.com
Harmonica Store.com
Shipping informationHarmonica Store.com
Harmonica Store.com

Harmonica Lessons.com Discussion Forums

Subject: "Missing note in cross harp" Archived thread - Read only
 
  Previous Topic | Next Topic
Printer-friendly copy    
Conferences General Topics Topic #329
Reading Topic #329
tmcgarity
Member since Jan-23-07
4 posts
Jan-23-07, 07:52 AM (PST)
Click to EMail tmcgarity Click to send private message to tmcgarity Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
"Missing note in cross harp"
 
   I want to play my C harp in the 2nd position (cross harp) which of course would be in the key of G. I am confused of how I can play an F# at the 5 or 6 hole position. G of course can be played by blowing in hole 6. And F can be played by drawing at hole 5. But how do I get the Gb or F# that I would need to be able to play in the key of G. HELP.


  Printer-friendly page | Top

 
Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic
webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2189 posts
Jan-23-07, 03:57 PM (PST)
Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
1. "RE: Missing note in cross harp"
In response to message #0
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-23-07 AT 03:58 PM (PST)
 
Tim,

Without going to a chromatic, you have a few options.

1. The easiest answer is either picking up a Lee Oskar Melody Maker or a Hohner "Country Tuned" Special 20. These specially tuned diatonics have the "F#" already installed on hole 5 draw. If you want the "F" you would need to bend the hole 5 draw down a half-step (it bends a lot like the hole 4 draw bend).
http://www.harmonicastore.com/harm_tuning.shtml

2. If your bending is pretty slick on hole 2 draw, you can bend the 2 draw down only a half-step to get the "F#". Yes, you do have to finish your melody down an octave on the "G" on 2 draw, but in most cases, it sounds fine.

3. Overblows. This is the toughest solution and the one I recommend the least. You would need to be able to overblow on hole 5 blow (E) to get an "F#". This is one of the hardest overblows to accomplish and aside from being difficult to do, it's very tough to play it in tune and also to have it sound "sweet". Overblows work best only on certain types of diatonics and usually need to have the gaps adjusted to increase the ease of overblowing. The standard recommended harmonica is the Hohner Golden Melody. Some overblow posts:
Overblows and Overdraws-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID2/277.html#1
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID2/267.html#3
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID2/267.html#1
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID4/19.html#1

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
http://www.myspace.com/davegageband
http://www.myspace.com/harmonicastore


  Printer-friendly page | Top
tmcgarity
Member since Jan-23-07
4 posts
Jan-23-07, 04:26 PM (PST)
Click to EMail tmcgarity Click to send private message to tmcgarity Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
2. "RE: Missing note in cross harp"
In response to message #0
 
   Thank you so much for your quick reply. I have been playing for 6 weeks now and I am really quite good - I am having a blast. I understand that alot of players, play in the 2nd position. This is puzzling to me as it appears there is a missing note at a critical position when playing cross harp. I appreciate your suggestions and I believe the action I will take is as you suggest - buy a Lee Oskar Melody Maker - thanks again.


  Printer-friendly page | Top
adeeter
Member since Jan-19-04
187 posts
Feb-18-07, 02:04 PM (PST)
Click to EMail adeeter Click to send private message to adeeter Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
3. "RE: Missing note in cross harp"
In response to message #2
 
   The other thing to keep in mind is the scale you are playing in. Since the blues scale includes a flatted 7th, then you are OK on a normal diatonic. If you need the natural seventh, then the Melody Maker is a good option - you can bend the 5 draw to get the flatted 7th and you also have the natural second on the 3 blow.

The good times last forever
The bad times fade away


  Printer-friendly page | Top

Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic