Playing The Minor Scale
After the Major Scale, the second most popular scale is the Minor Scale. It can be most easily played between holes 6 and 10, although all of the notes, with one exception, are also available between holes 3 and 6.
Playing the Reverse High Minor Scale
You’ll be able to play the following songs easily if you practice playing the Minor Scale from high end to low end also.
The Lower Minor Scale
It will be easier to begin working on the lower Minor Scale in reverse, since the missing note is the first note of the scale. Here are the notes of the low Minor Scale (reversed) with the missing A note indicated.
Now try two alternative ways of playing it by using octave substitution, both reverse and regular. As explained in Progressive Blues Harmonica, the missing A note can also be played using the advanced blues harmonica technique of "bending" (not shown).
A few notes have been changed to make this romantic song easier to play without bending. It is normally notated with half as many timing slashes, but may be easier to read and play as follows.
Many more songs, most characterized by a mournful or wistful quality, can be played using the Minor Scale. Some of these include When Johnny Comes Marchin’ Home Again, Hatikvah, the Chanukah Song, Summertime, and Autumn Leaves.
Supplementary Songbook: Part Five
- You are now ready to begin to play the songs in Part Five of the Progressive Harmonica Supplementary Songbook.
