Q. I have a harp in the key of G but I play songs with different keys. Is there a way I can play to make it sound like, E?
A. Sort of:
The typical harmonica is a diatonic instrument. That means it's like a piano with no black keys, only white keys.
Most blues players play their harmonica in crossharp (mixolydian mode) and folk/gospel players play in straight harp (ionian mode). There are seven modes playable in every key. Your G is in D crossharp and G straightharp.
Using your G harp:
Ionian (major) - G
Dorian - A
Phrygian - B
Lydian - C
Mixolydian (dominant 7) - D
Aeolian (minor) - E
Locrian F#
So, your G harp can play in E but it's E aeolian mode. Why? The G harp has the notes G A B C D E F# available for you without bends and overblows. But E major has the notes E F# G# A B C# D# E in the scale. As you can see, there's a bunch of notes of the E major scale missing on your G harp. In fact, you only have E F# A and B of the E major scale. 1 2 4 and 5.
The E minor (aeolian) scale has E F# G A B C D E though -- notice those are all on your G harp but the E harp wouldn't have all of these.
If you need to be in E major or E mixolydian then you'll need an E or A harp to get there. This is why you see harmonica players with so many harmonicas.
But, there is an option that has all of the black and white keys on one harmonica - the chromatic. A chromatic harmonica can play in any key because it has every note available for you. Only problem there is that a chromatic isn't set up to allow for the chord vamping style (three chord trick) that most blues players use. A chromatic is better for melody playing.
Happy harping!
How do I take Piano or Guitar Chords and make them notes for a Flute?
Q. I have to play songs for the Student Ministry at my church on my flute. My worship leader gave me the Piano chords and i want to learn how to play some Breaking Benjamin stuff too. I have the chords but i have no idea what notes to play. I've messed around with the notes that are in the chords but they don't make sense. Especially the minors and majors..any help??
A. Figure out the key (scale) of the song then play around in that scale. Since you have the piano chords you could simply play the root note of the chord followed by other notes of the scale, or you could walk up or down to the root of the chord using the notes of the scale. You can use non-scale notes also but only in passing.
Really there is no such things as a wrong note. It's just a innate ability you develop to know when to play it and when to release it, e.g. placement and duration of a note. The ability to play your scales really fast, and skip around in them knowing where you are at all times will make it easy for you. Though you must control yourself and not overplay.
Your ear will develop and you'll eventually figure out how to play any melodic line you want or desire to play.
What piano chords make a good lullaby song?
Q. I am trying to write a song and am wondering if anyone knew chords that produced that sleepy wonderful sound. Thanks so much!
A. Well, you'd have to choose a scale first, a good scale would be G major or C major. In G major, whenever you play "C" or "F", you change the not to a sharp. Some chords you could use include G, B, D, or C, E, G (the most simple chord), but you should experiement different key combinations.
Good lullaby chords usually use three keys each spread out by one note.
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Title : How do I make my harmonica sound in a different key?
Description : Q. I have a harp in the key of G but I play songs with different keys. Is there a way I can play to make it sound like, E? A. Sort of: Th...