Hi. Can somebody please put me out of my misery. I’ve tried every key of harp I have and it just sounds off. It’s almost definitely me that’s off but I love the song and would like to do it justice. Please tell me what key of harp I need. https://youtu.be/Q58Gm18-IMY?si=7WdMdBaCCtpzOy74
This nice song is in the key of E major with chords: E A H c#. So the simplest choice will be an E standard major harmonica and first position. You can also play it on an A harp in the second ionic position. This means you must avoid the D note (5 draw, 9 draw, 2 draw bended).
Thanks so much. So I was correct. It’s me thats off! I was using an E harmonica. I’ll keep at it. I’m obviously just not hitting the right notes yet. I thought I was close. So nice to have the harp choice confirmed. I loved the tv show and the music. He’s just done the theme song for another film called FOUR LETTERS also beautiful music.
@toogdog I’m glad you’re back into it and feeling inspired, regardless of the key you play it in. I have not seen the series, but I like the song.
@toodogtoodog, If you feel that Your solos not fits accurately in chords then You are in good starting point to learn chord changes feeling. I propose this workout for You:
First step: Chords
Try learn to play chords from this song in harmonica:
E: any notes blow
B: any notes draw
A: 5+6 draw
c#: 4+5 blow
Try to play along this chords exatly when they are in song.
If You can play some chordal instrument (guitar,piano,accordion): You can play whole chords.
Second step: Learn scales for above chords
This will be:
Chord E: major pentatonic: E F# G# B C# (in C harp: Chord C: CDEGA)
CHord A: major pentatonic: A B C# E F# (in C harp: CHord F: FGACD)
Chord: B: major aka mixolydian pentatonic: B c# D# F# A (in C harp: Chord G: GBADF).
Chord c# minor: same as Chord E, but with other emphasis (on E,G#,C#)
I don’t know exactly which channels You have to blow, because I’m always meaning about notes (not channels) when I play. But You can use notes charts to learn exact notes.
WHen You will play scales - try to play scales along with song in right moments (when chords changes).
Thirds step: play arpeggios:
E chord: E G# B
A chord: A c# E
B chord: B D# F#
c# chord: C# E B
…along with song in right moments
have fun: improvise with right scales, sometimes arpeggios.
Try to listen which notes fits best in particular chords.
Chordal change feeling will not come instantly.
Can took monts, when we achieve great eureka moment and start to feel in brain something completely new. Thats is so exciting. Chord change feeling moves our musical imagination to other worlds. You will be suprised how many songs are built on same chordal progression.
(this post Was edited. H notes changed to B)
Thank you for your amazing effort in helping me. You have spent a lot of time on the answer. I often practice scales so this is very helpful. I’m actually playing the melody in single notes. I almost have the melody now. I felt more confident once you confirmed the key.
I have a question though I am not familiar with the “H” I can’t quite follow what note that refers to. Can you explain what the H is.
Sorry. I’m from Poland and here we are using german note names where H is B.
In the evening I will correct my previous post and change for standard american note names.
The system used in Germany often causes confusion not only because of the H/B case, but also because in that system B is used for Bb (B flat) !
Here in Poland B and H brings confusions, so in writing I decided to write H for american B, and Bb for american Bb. This is unambiguous. I heard that some musicians in Polands says “white B” for american B (polish H), and “black B” for american Bb.
Many years ago I met in train in Moscow man who plays guitar and sings about Jesus. Just in train for passengers. I wanted to join him with harmonica and asked for key. He says: “lamazhornyi”. I know russian language, but I cannot decode in my mind that key. Easier was find/guess key. Evening I cannot sleep thinking how strong in that man Was desire to singing about Jesus and what is the key of russian lama. Now I know. Russians using italian note names. La mazhornyi = la maggiore = A major.
Here is good explanation:
Looks that whole world excluding east Asia talks in three languages: german, american, italian. Personally I like the most amercian note names because whole minor scale is assembled from first letters of english alphabet.
