Liam, that does clarify some confusion on this topic.. For beginners, the playing a certain key harp on a song of a different key, in a second position for instance G song, C harp can be daunting at this stage of our learning.. Always informative, and Thanks again.. Bruce
A fundamental point that I think is worth stating is that tabs must be written in the key of the music. So, if the key of the sheet music is, say, F (one flat), the tabs must be written for the F harmonica key layout (e.g. 4b is F). The magic with harmonicas is that as you demonstrated, following these tabs on any other diatonic harmonica will produce the same tune but in a different (higher or lower) pitch (key).
I combine diatonic and tremelo from time to time. It fits perfect on particular tunes which consist multiple tones of voice at the same time.. Take Irish music for example.. Some songs doesn't suit well though
Interesting stuff, so for a songwriter like me, with a load of songs in diffrent keys, I'm gonna need a ton of harps right? Or is this where 3rd position would be a help? For example, I have a song in C and a blues in G, I only need a C harp....but if I have a song in D, can I play 3rd position on the C, or do I need a D harp?
The answer is yes to both options, although they're sort of opposites to each other. If you have a ton of harps you can use the exact same tabs and just pick up any key you like. If you want to delve deeper into the learning process, you can work out how to play a song in several positions, or pick the position that suits the song best (e.g. C harp in 3rd position for song in D).
So if you can play the same melodies on any key harmonicas what is the specific purpose for the different harmonica keys? I am much appreciative of your harmonica lessons mr. ward they have helped me explore much further throughout the harmonica.
Hi Justin. You've kind of answered your own question. The purpose of different keys is SO you can play the same melody if different keys. Thanks for watching and commenting :)
Great video!! I would like to see more music theory videos. I have a question, can I play on the Harmonica a song from a sheet music I found on the internet, or should the music sheet be only for harmonicas? And how do I know in which harmonica key is a song from a sheet music? Thank you!
Hi Guy - yes you can play harmonica from sheet music, but as I say in the video it leads to some problems. You would need to learn to read music, then you'd need to learn where each note is on a specific key of harmonica.
Can we transpose keys on the same harmonica..between positions..will it sound good to play a kick from blues scale 2nd position in G then move it up to 3rd position in Dm .. on c harmonica.. if yes I think it's a good idea for improvisation to show us. Because unfortunately I only have c harmonica and shipping is stopped because of coronavirus.
Hi Guirguis Gamal, yes it's possible to play the same song if different keys on one harmonica, but it gets hard when you have to use special techniques (bends and overblows) to get the "missing" notes. Here's an example of a song played in three different keys on one harp: ua-cam.com/video/U4iy6PsBJno/v-deo.html
Thank you very much for your response. Just one more question: if I were to purchase a Tremolo harmonica, do the amount of holes matter in regards to difficulty in playing? For example, is a 21 hole easier to play than a 24? And are tabs the same within the different types of tremolos? I have been thinking of buying a Suzuki humming 21 or 24. I like the sound of the tremolos for playing softer more nostalgic tunes.
désolée je ne parle pas couramment l'anglais.. ma question reste toujours la même malgré ta vidéo intéressante : si j'ai un morceau en La (A) ou en Sol (G), que je veux jouer sur mon harmo en do, dois-je à chaque fois transposer ?
Si vous voulez jouer votre harmonica C dans chaque touche, vous devrez élaborer un «tab» différent pour chaque touche. Il est beaucoup plus facile d'acheter des harmonicas dans différentes touches et d'utiliser les mêmes «tabs».
to add, the tabs wont work on a Chromatic harmonica. I have been 'using' your tabs on my Suzuki Chromatix 64. I have figured out what hole numbers in your tab correspond with the holes on my chromatix. I look at your tab, write down a corresponding tab for my chromatix and BOOM and set!
if it's as easy as grabbing a different key harmonica, then why go to the trouble of learning different positions on a single harmonica, that's what confuses me, it seems like a lot of new learning and extra work?
Hi Rob, it's all a question of context. Depending on the specifics of the song (major vs minor, style of music) certain positions just sound better than others.
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Great that opens a whole new scope of sound
At last a simple explanation to a question I've been asking about .
Thank you Liam, all very useful
Valuable information for this Newbie, thanks Liam.
You're welcome Aidan :)
Liam, that does clarify some confusion on this topic.. For beginners, the playing a certain key harp on a song of a different key, in a second position for instance G song, C harp can be daunting at this stage of our learning.. Always informative, and Thanks again.. Bruce
You're welcome Bruce.
A fundamental point that I think is worth stating is that tabs must be written in the key of the music. So, if the key of the sheet music is, say, F (one flat), the tabs must be written for the F harmonica key layout (e.g. 4b is F). The magic with harmonicas is that as you demonstrated, following these tabs on any other diatonic harmonica will produce the same tune but in a different (higher or lower) pitch (key).
I combine diatonic and tremelo from time to time. It fits perfect on particular tunes which consist multiple tones of voice at the same time.. Take Irish music for example.. Some songs doesn't suit well though
Interesting stuff, so for a songwriter like me, with a load of songs in diffrent keys, I'm gonna need a ton of harps right? Or is this where 3rd position would be a help? For example, I have a song in C and a blues in G, I only need a C harp....but if I have a song in D, can I play 3rd position on the C, or do I need a D harp?
The answer is yes to both options, although they're sort of opposites to each other. If you have a ton of harps you can use the exact same tabs and just pick up any key you like. If you want to delve deeper into the learning process, you can work out how to play a song in several positions, or pick the position that suits the song best (e.g. C harp in 3rd position for song in D).
So if you can play the same melodies on any key harmonicas what is the specific purpose for the different harmonica keys? I am much appreciative of your harmonica lessons mr. ward they have helped me explore much further throughout the harmonica.
Hi Justin. You've kind of answered your own question. The purpose of different keys is SO you can play the same melody if different keys. Thanks for watching and commenting :)
Good info for us newbies, Liam. Can you suggest where I can find tabbed music for “Schindler’s List” or “Send in the Clowns”? Thanks
Really cool Chanel
Hi, I have a couple of harmonicas and there is no indication of what key they are. How can I identify what they are, please?
Great video!! I would like to see more music theory videos. I have a question, can I play on the Harmonica a song from a sheet music I found on the internet, or should the music sheet be only for harmonicas? And how do I know in which harmonica key is a song from a sheet music? Thank you!
Hi Guy - yes you can play harmonica from sheet music, but as I say in the video it leads to some problems. You would need to learn to read music, then you'd need to learn where each note is on a specific key of harmonica.
Great video 👍👍👍
Thanks Kevin.
Could you play please on harmônica #Bad obsession # by Guns'n roses . What key of harmônica?
Can we transpose keys on the same harmonica..between positions..will it sound good to play a kick from blues scale 2nd position in G then move it up to 3rd position in Dm .. on c harmonica.. if yes I think it's a good idea for improvisation to show us.
Because unfortunately I only have c harmonica and shipping is stopped because of coronavirus.
Hi Guirguis Gamal, yes it's possible to play the same song if different keys on one harmonica, but it gets hard when you have to use special techniques (bends and overblows) to get the "missing" notes. Here's an example of a song played in three different keys on one harp: ua-cam.com/video/U4iy6PsBJno/v-deo.html
Do the same tabs apply to playing with a tremolo harmonica? Or are the tabs different?
Hi Estellamed, sadly they would be different for tremolo. I have a quick video explaining: ua-cam.com/video/rMLKPREJ1Vo/v-deo.html
Thank you very much for your response. Just one more question: if I were to purchase a Tremolo harmonica, do the amount of holes matter in regards to difficulty in playing? For example, is a 21 hole easier to play than a 24? And are tabs the same within the different types of tremolos? I have been thinking of buying a Suzuki humming 21 or 24. I like the sound of the tremolos for playing softer more nostalgic tunes.
désolée je ne parle pas couramment l'anglais.. ma question reste toujours la même malgré ta vidéo intéressante : si j'ai un morceau en La (A) ou en Sol (G), que je veux jouer sur mon harmo en do, dois-je à chaque fois transposer ?
Si vous voulez jouer votre harmonica C dans chaque touche, vous devrez élaborer un «tab» différent pour chaque touche. Il est beaucoup plus facile d'acheter des harmonicas dans différentes touches et d'utiliser les mêmes «tabs».
P.S. Sorry for the bad French, that was Google Translate!
4
to add, the tabs wont work on a Chromatic harmonica. I have been 'using' your tabs on my Suzuki Chromatix 64. I have figured out what hole numbers in your tab correspond with the holes on my chromatix. I look at your tab, write down a corresponding tab for my chromatix and BOOM and set!
Неплохо бы с русскими субтитрами 👍👍👍
if it's as easy as grabbing a different key harmonica, then why go to the trouble of learning different positions on a single harmonica, that's what confuses me, it seems like a lot of new learning and extra work?
Hi Rob, it's all a question of context. Depending on the specifics of the song (major vs minor, style of music) certain positions just sound better than others.
🌼⚘🏵💖🌼⚘🏵💖
Le titre de la vidéo est en français, et ne veut absolument rien dire... "Pouvez vous jouer des onglets sur l'harmonica ?"
Hi Stefaon, if you want to improve the translation, you can submit here: ua-cam.com/users/timedtext_cs_panel?c=UCFcC_ffSMcfp9JzyO3gbmQw&tab=2
@@Learntheharmonica Je veux surtout ne pas tomber sur des vidéo en anglais quand je cherche des vidéos en français !!!