6 replies to this topic

[harmonicatunes]

I've written an article describing harmonica note layout and the reasoning behind it. Included is an interactive table which shows the notes for all harmonica keys.

"Many beginning players are confused about harmonica notes, particularly since some of them appear to be "missing". This articles shows the notes on a harmonica, and the reasoning behind their layout..."

The rest of the article is at Harmonica Notes - What are the notes on a harmonica?

[Dean Heuke]

A ----------------- D
Bb ----------------- Eb
B ----------------- E
C ----------------- F
C# ----------------- F#
D ----------------- G
Eb ----------------- Ab
E ----------------- A
F ----------------- Bb
F# ----------------- B
G ----------------- C
Ab ----------------- Db

this is helpful, but how find i out, in which Key the song is written? .. is there maybe a website which has a great database about songs and their keys? ....

[theologica]

Well, Dean, if you're working from sheet music, there's usually some kind of little sigil on the stave (the bit with the lines that has the notes) -- generally a "flat" ("b") or "sharp" ("#"), or a series of flats and sharps, which indicates which key your music is in.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Key_signature

[FatJim]

If you don't have sheet music or tab, 9 times out of 10 you can work it out from the note/chord that the music starts on. Very often the verse resolves on the same note too. The 'mood' of the song will tell you whether it's major or minor.

It's not a perfect solution - not all songs are written that way, but most blues and simple rock tunes are so it's a good start. All you've got to do then is blow on a C harp until you find the right note. (or if that doesn't work it's probably in a flat key so try a C#. A good clue will be if there is a horn section playing; if there is, it is probably in a flat key.)

[Dean Heuke]

FatJim said:

If you don't have sheet music or tab, 9 times out of 10 you can work it out from the note/chord that the music starts on. Very often the verse resolves on the same note too. The 'mood' of the song will tell you whether it's major or minor.

It's not a perfect solution - not all songs are written that way, but most blues and simple rock tunes are so it's a good start. All you've got to do then is blow on a C harp until you find the right note. (or if that doesn't work it's probably in a flat key so try a C#. A good clue will be if there is a horn section playing; if there is, it is probably in a flat key.)

i see ...

[FMWoodeye]

Also, different groups may play the same songs in different keys,
often dependent upon the singer's range (or limitations). As stated
above, if you're playing with a band, the sheet music will have a
key signature. If you're trying to play along with a recording, trial
and error will have to do.

AND...if you run across some songs that you can't seem to find the notes
for, or you have to bend your ass off on a lot of them, it might be in a minor
key (like Ghost Riders). You can buy harps in minor keys, or you can switch up
to 3rd or 5th position. I've just purchased a Lee Oskar in A-minor, so I'm
experimenting with it now.

[FMWoodeye]

Let me credit Fat Jim for the tip on playing in 3rd and 5th positions for minor keys.
He pointed that out on one of my previous posts.