Hey All,
In my opinion anyway…
I first saw this tool 20 odd years ago during my first effort at harmonica. At the time I thought interesting but I really didn’t “get it”. I did buy a cardboard rotatable dial of it an still have it around somewhere - I think.
With this tool you know:
- All 12 positions in every key
- All the relative minor keys assuming you can count to 3
- Diatonic chords associated with a major key
- All the notes in major key heptonic scales as long as long as you know the tone semitone relationships an the hop cross slide system. (natural minor keys too?? I haven’t checked)
- Chords that sound good together in a song
- Transposing chords in a key to a different key
- and more
I wish I had taken this tool seriously two decades+ ago.
Of course I am referring to the circle of 4ths/fifths.
By knowing and understanding the circle of fifths as it is usually called - to me a lot more of what Luke is teaching sinks in. Luke teaches music theory in “bite size” chunks and then applies it to tab and the harmonica. I get this and it obviously “works” for many but it always seemed to me that a bit more music theory would make the picture more complete. I’m more the big picture first then dive in type. I think the circle of fifths is a way to present enough more (but not too much) theory to see more of the big picture of how the harmonica fits into music.
I want to stress I am in no way criticizing what or the way Luke teaches. Nor am I affiliated with any other harmonica teaching course or program. I think Luke is easily one of the best on the net and I really like his approachable style and style of linking some theory to tab to harmonica and music one can play and I actually am a harmonica beginner again having dropped harmonica to work on guitar. I am thinking hard on doin the b2b course.
Now all this said I came across a circle of fifths video (or two) that I think (and the comments say) is the most clear concise and understandable explanation of the circle of fifths I have ever seen. This person plays ukekele not harmonica and so isn’t really a competitor to Luke or other harmonica teachers. I don’t know how appropriate it is to link the video and thought I’d bring the subject up indirectly for any advice. Since Luke obviously plays ukekele he and or slim may know who it is as soon as I say Gracie.
I’ll stop here and see what reaction there is. I just see questions here that the circle of fifths would either answer or provide more background. I just don’t want to stir up any fuss.
-Ed-