Minor vs. Major Harmonicas - Playing in Minor Keys - Todd Parrott

[@69JonnyP]

That jam to the guitar track was simply awesome.

[@TheDnbsam]

you know, i was haveing a pretty rubbish day, i didnt even look for this video, but in the space of 10 mins, you have single hadedly made this day fantastic, that piece at the end is breath taking sir. that chord change at 7:40, is simply stunning, you sir, are going straight into my idol books! dont ever stop doing this..ever. Sam.

[@AceOfHarps]

Wow, that's a very nice compliment - thanks so much! I just do the best I can with no formal musical training, but one thing that's really helped my harmonica playing is learning to play the piano. Having a visual reference for understanding chords and what notes work well with those chords has made a huge difference for me.

[@chrisdesmit1103]

Made me cry. If I could do that, I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven. Thank you!

[@Mueleski]

Sweetness in a stocking cap! Thanks for the lesson and the great example.

[@25lber]

HI Todd I have just got my 1st minor harp(Am) Lee Osker and this video has been very helpful to me, love your style of playing you are now in my Favorites THANKS, Jim from IRELAND

[@wayneread1550]

Hey Todd, Thanks for taking time to explain this. It's very cool. I've been looking for new tunings for the Xharp and this opens up a couple of possibilities. Thanks again

[@AceOfHarps]

Wayne Read Thanks so much, Wayne!

[@junquemonger]

I have been scouring the net for inspiration also as I journey my way into actually learning to play harp. Thanks for the clarification on the major vs minor, I understand it allot more now. I love the jam in the end, I would love to have that track to jam to!! You sound fantastic and have given me some new stuff to work on. thanks!

[@mxaraujo]

Excelent sound at the end... great work and lesson

[@concretecullen]

thanks Todd for this great lesson,

[@Aliestwill]

As a part time player have always struggled with minor keys. This was great, but as I try to'learn with the regular harp I may invest in a natural minor to buy some time. This was a terrific overview and you are one heck of a player. Thank you

[@GobIron]

Great video Todd and inspirational playing. I tried out your suggestion on re-tuning the 7 draw and I love it. Especially when playing fast runs where I previously struggled to hit the 6 overblow quick enough! I'm thinking about tuning a full set that way. Anyway, keep up the videos, they're much appreciated over here in England! Best regards - Adam

[@emilbergdahl3063]

Yo bro. You must be one of the best harmonica players out there. Insanely impressive! Keep up the awesome work!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks so much!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks! I mainly play out by myself with tracks, but occasionally play with various bands and artists. I also do session work from time to time.

[@AceOfHarps]

Wow! What a nice compliment! Thanks!

[@baillar100]

Thanks man. You know what you're taking about. Very helpful.

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks so much!

[@AlsamadCaldwell]

Very Talented!!

[@larryhaynes1970]

super cool playing!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks, brother!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@AceOfHarps]

BluezBro, Thanks for your kind words. I mainly play out by myself or sometimes accompanied by a guitar player. Never been to NY but would love to play there someday.

[@JimStandley]

Great job! Thanks so much for the tips!

[@escort325]

Very informitive tutorial!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks for the kind words - I'm glad this was of some help to you! The backing track may still be available on Guitar Center's web site. If not, let me know.

[@dovlandzbaum5036]

Great stuff!

[@AceOfHarps]

I use all 12 positions, though not all fluently, but I prefer playing minor tunes in 2nd position for traditional licks. I don't retune the 7 draw down simply for minor tunes, but for blues, and especially 11th position - it works great for that too. 4th position is neat, but can be awkward until you get used to it. 5th position is also another great position for minor tunes.

[@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes]

Great playing and good presentation. I tend to use the 6 blow over draw for minor, but I can see why you like that tuning. I personally like an use a lot of irregular / minor tunings myself because you can get different chordal colours and much more minor tongue vamping ... thanks for the vibes and sharing them Todd

[@AceOfHarps]

Lord Stompy No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@ViewerMr001]

I was playing along with you on my C harp. It works.

[@Broaart]

the lee oskar minor harp started me playing again a few year back. a friend gave it to me.

[@HarmoActive]

Great presentation! It would also be interesting to compare the Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor harmonicas.

[@markoblinger978]

Great info and great chops bro! So musical!!!

[@vitopogioli]

Good stuff Todd, thanks, Vito

[@quinoacat]

sweet jam todd...You, Buddy Green, Jason Ricci, and Terry McMillan are probably some of the reasons I still practice on Golden Melody harps even though I am not extremely fond of having my lips torn up, lol...Jesu, joy of man's desire and some other classical melodies just tend to ring truer with equal tempermant and they OB and bend OK too, even if Chords sound raspy. They have their purposes just like Minor tuned harps.

[@AceOfHarps]

@rocklaw2 - These are pretty much synonymous terms. When folks refer to a diatonic harmonica, they are talking about a 10-hole, standard (Richter) tuned, harmonica. Sometimes this is also referred to as a blues harp, because this is the kind of harmonica most commonly used for playing the blues. However, what makes it sometimes a little more confusing is that a diatonic harmonica can be re-tuned to other tunings.

[@Breadstick1234]

you sir, are a very very good harmonica player

[@AceOfHarps]

@realbudgiesmuggler My point is that playing in minor keys is very possible on major harps, and that the flatted 7 draw tuning makes it even easier. A lot of people write to me and ask about playing in minor keys, so this video was posted to help answer that question. I was also trying to illustrate what notes NOT to play when playing in minor keys. I don't like minor tuned harps either, but Lee Oskar does some neat major stuff in 11th position on natural minor harps.

[@jamcamp06]

Sounds Great!!!!

[@ZvikaDror]

Genius! Playing Am in D 2nd with B's half step down and avoiding 2/5/8 blows... I always thought I'd play Am with C but there is the paddy richter I'm using with elevated G to A on 3 Blow, but the other G tuning G# will probably mess up the original C Major completely... Sorry got carried away... Loved the tune and your coverage will check your videos if you had any review on Melody Maker tuning which I just converted a Hohner Golden Melody to (3 Blow whole step up, 5 and 9 Draw half step up). Thank you for great inspiration and very enjoyable video!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks so much! I use Melody Maker tuning every once in awhile, but I prefer country tuning, as I like to keep my 3 draw as-is, so that it's more bendable.

[@AceOfHarps]

@gunzorro Thanks man! Really glad you like it.

[@AceOfHarps]

Retuning is a pretty simple thing to do, and retuning the 7 draw actually comes in pretty handy in other positions as well as 2nd. You don't lose any notes by retuning 7, because you can bend the 7 blow to get the original note that you had on 7 draw.

[@jamesmares4206]

really like that very nice

[@af4k]

At 6:30 - the 7 draw note has been tuned down half a step? I like that... how in the word did you do that please?

[@AceOfHarps]

To lower the 7 draw reed a half-step, from C# to C, you simply use a jeweler's file to remove metal at the base of the reed, near the rivet. As you scratch the reed with the file, the pitch will get lower, and you'll need to stop along the way and test it until you reach the correct pitch. If you go too far, simply remove some metal from the tip to raise the pitch back up. You can also use a micro-engraver tool, available at Harbor Freight, to accomplish the same thing a little faster, but you have to be more careful. When you open the harmonica, you will see file marks at the base, as well as the tip of the reeds where they were tuned from the factory. You can use this as a guide for knowing where to file. Hope this helps!

[@AceOfHarps]

@BlueMonk12 - Yes, the 6 overblow is the same note, but I use both. There are different patterns you can get with a retuned harp. You can slide into that note with a retuned harp, but this is not as easy to do with the 6 overbow. You can also bend the 7 blow on a retuned harp.

[@Rockyamstel001]

you sir...are amazing....fantastic video!!

[@AceOfHarps]

@nikko97144 Some people would say that it's harder to use a major harp to play in a minor key. This is because a major tuned harp requires a little more thought and concentration to avoid playing notes that don't belong. While this is not a problem on minor tuned harps, with minor harps you lose some expression on certain notes because of the way the harp is tuned. I wouldn't say it's necessarily easier to use a minor harp vs. a major one, as both require adjustments in technique.

[@herbster22]

Well Todd, you were great even back here in 2009!! 2013 your even Greater!!

[@AceOfHarps]

Mike, You're a fantastic harp player! Was nice to meet you at the VA Harmonicafest. I look forward to seeing some of your videos. Let me know how the flatted 7 draw tuning is working out for you.

[@quinoacat]

I have a Dm Nat. Minor Green Dot LO. I like to play it along with Alvin Lee's Bluest Blues tune...

[@richardgeorge5101]

Todd ,really cool and cleared a couple things up , I have a question if you would be so kind , I came across a video of a Suzuki promaster being played 2nd position to the song summertime , I swear it sounded like a sax , he posted it was d minor and Suzuki doesn't make a natural like Lee Oscar so obviously he was doing you type of style , its driving me crazy cause I'm disabled and have nothing but time , what key do you think he was using ? Another is a sax song by john mayall called thoughts of Roxane off the lp turning poinrpt I'd love to improve that . so if ya think might know what keys I'm lookin for it would be much appreciated , and I was reading your posts . going to a via show and playing ,very cool my man I'm a downed vet myself. Your really a great player and smart too so that's why I'm asking you. Jam on partner Richie

[@AceOfHarps]

richard george So sorry for the long delay! I think I know the video you are referring to, and I'm pretty sure it's just a regular D harp. You can play a regular D harp in A minor if you are careful with your bends, I'm not familiar with the other tune you mentioned, but I will be glad to help if you want to e-mail it to me. It's only seldom that I log in here.

[@gunzorro]

More awesome and intimidating playing at the end of the video! If you weren't such a nice guy, you'd be kind of scary with all that talent. ;) Nice work, and as always -- thanks for sharing.

[@jamesmcloughlin9404]

hey todd that was real harmonica demonstration for anyone who thinks that harp aint a real instrument i"m about a year in playing on and off but trying to become a stronger player would it be at all possible to have you tab this for us, your adoring public lol, it would be greatly appreciated and keep up the great work man thanks

[@AceOfHarps]

james mcloughlin I'd love to, but it would be extremely time consuming. Glad you liked it!

[@arbite83]

Nice Video Man,

[@MikeUpie]

Nice work here! I was frustrated when I couldn't find ANY major key Honer Special 20 harp to play with ANY song in a minor key. It turns out you CAN get harps in a minor key (but apparently not Honer from Sweetwater!) or learn to use a major key like you do, which would take me years to do. Yer really good, dude! Thanks for the education.

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks so much! With a major tuned harp, there is also the option to play in 5th position, which starts on hole 2 blow - so you could play in Em on a C harp. Or, you could play in 3rd position, which starts on either 1 draw or 4 draw, putting you in the key of Dm on a C harp. Sounds more difficult than it actually is.

[@lec1212]

Excellent

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks!

[@pederjepsen8805]

Thank you for sharing your insights. Your knowledge of the instrument is most impressive and you sure know how to use it. What do think about the PT half-valve from Seydel? I've been away from playing harmonicas for some time and am looking to get back into it and the the half-valve (PT Gazelle) has caught my interest.

[@AceOfHarps]

PT is a great friend, and his half-valved harps are really nice, especially for the jazzy style of playing he uses. You can bend all of the notes, both blow and draw, but you have to use the correct amount of breath pressure. Takes some practice, but sounds great once you're used to it.

[@michaeldegen7098]

Hey, love this clip...what would you suggest for the sax solo on INXS' Never Tear Us Apart?

[@emilianonast5097]

todd you are my hero! according to me among the top 5 harp player in the world actual.i ve not understod a thing and i hope you will help me.the d harp that you paly in this video is out of the box or modified????thanks a lot from sicily island (italy).sorry for my bad english.

[@AceOfHarps]

It has been re-tuned - the 7 draw note has been lowered a half-step, from C# to C. Hope this helps, and thanks for the kind words!

[@emilianonast5097]

Todd Parrott thak you todd!

[@nohanzainudini9702]

2:17 , how do you get that sound on the last bend? It sounds like the note is repeating extremely fast, for lack of a better explanation.

[@AceOfHarps]

That's a growling sound - done accidentally here. It's done with the tongue against the roof of the mouth. If done correctly, as you inhale and pronounce the word "wah" your tongue will make the growling sound heard here (almost a snoring sound, but not as intense). Hard to explain in writing, but I hope that points you in the right direction.

[@AceOfHarps]

You can bend the 7 blow when you retune the draw reed down a half step. On a regular tuned harp, you can't bend 7 blow. And as far as oveblows are concerned, sometimes having a harp that's been set up for overblows makes all the differemce.

[@BigI681]

Great Lesson. What differences are there in playing in Am and a bluesy A. Seems like they share the same notes.

[@AceOfHarps]

Well, the blues scale is a minor scale, so it works on minor tunes just fine! So, you are correct!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks! I hope it helped!

[@BigdaddiZ]

man i can tell you have alot of experience man. maybe one day i can play as awsome as you. but hey im not horrible. But you are really awsome man.

[@patrickalaggio3560]

Awesome!

[@mynameiszhouhaiping]

I can listen to this all day long...just incredible playing...did you use overblow in this song?

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks! Yes, there is a 4 overblow in there, and a 7 overdraw.

[@TomMilleyMusic]

actually im thinking that would be cool to tune the 7th down. that way i wouldnt need to overblow, which i cant really do yet anyway. but i dont know how to retune and im not sure if id want to change the other positions like 3rd, 1st and 4th. but for cross harp it would be a good idea. i havent really tried any positions beyond 5th yet so i dont know how good it would be in those.

[@BluezBro604]

good to kno...ever gig in ny?

[@AceOfHarps]

I'm not sure which note you're referring to? There is no bend on the 5 blow in this song that I know of. I'm playing in 2nd position on a D harp with the 7 draw tuned down a half step. There is a 7 overdraw bend in there though.

[@douglasowen7671]

Dude..that was sweet! WOW..I could listen to u play blues all day long!..quick question...I'm learning Tom Petty's "Last Dance with Mary Jane" wh/has harmonica solos. I have little experience with harp but want to learn this song because it is within my vocal range. The song is in Am so thought I should get an Am harp, but some ppl suggesting to stick with C major. That D major sounded awesome with A minor blues. What key of harmonica would u recommend for that song? Thnx for ur help and music!

[@AceOfHarps]

@swampratvabch Thanks! I've played on several albums, but nothing that anyone would recognize.

[@AceOfHarps]

@onthebus17 Sorry for the delay.... Yes, you are correct, however, this can be tricky for some players as they will have to be careful not to play the major 3rd over a minor chord. (Many harp players are notorius for playing notes that just don't fit with the chords in the song.) A safer option for harp players may be to play in 3rd position - for example, a C harp played in 3rd position is D minor. A good harp player should be familiar with this - you shouldn't have to be educating them.

[@pederjepsen8805]

Alan Wilson of Canned Heat is said to have made special tuning adjustments to play some of the notes in "On The Road Again." Do you have any suggestions of how the same result could be accomplished without altering a harmonica, could a Natural Minor solve the problem?

[@AceOfHarps]

I think he tuned the 6 draw note for that tune. I would look up Hakan Ehn on KZbin, as I think he has a video explaining that tuning. A natural minor harp would not give you the same result.

[@AceOfHarps]

Yes, the 7 draw is tuned down a half-step.

[@ehk4296]

good stuff!!

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks!

[@TomMilleyMusic]

ever use 4th position for minor stuff? to me that would make more sense than tuning the 7 draw down. that or 3rd position. im working on 4th position right now. dont see many people using it.

[@mitchelledels9762]

HI Could you tell me why a G harp and a D harp sound great in a Aminor Played HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN using a G harp and it sounded great but tried a C harp and it did not. Tried an A harp and played in B minor and sounded okay

[@AceOfHarps]

Mitchell Edels Well, a D harp can sound good in 2nd position for A minor if you are careful with your bends, A G harp sounds good because there is an A minor chord right in the middle, at holes 4-5-6, so this is referred to as playing in 3rd position. Hope this helps - sorry for the delay!

[@Tsutsomu]

thank you very much Todd. Friendly : Steph.

[@DiegoCavalliDC]

Amazing!!!!! Great!!!! Increible!!!! What scale did you use for minor? Diego

[@mitchelledels9762]

Used D harp for Aminor blues riff and sounds great (AMINOR-D, Aminor to Dminor then Fmajor7th then E 7TH #9 Used G harp for Dminor blues riff and sounds great WHY?

[@MrBluesoles]

Todd - just came across this video. Thanks for posting. Sweet blow bend on the 5 hole! do you tweek your harps to achieve this?

[@SIRONEDRAGON]

Very cool : )

[@garysellars8914]

Do you retune all your harps on hole 7 like that Todd? Cool playing on the jam.

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks! Yes, but I also have a set that are in standard tuning for times when I need the classic country sound, or for ballads, etc. I also use standard tuned harps for playing in 3rd position major.

[@onthebus17]

@Todd-Hey brother, I'm a guitar player and have trouble with Harp players sometimes when they sit in, or at jams, because they never want to play a Minor blues. Sometimes they ask what harp to use, and I'm like WTF, how should I know. It would be helpful to bridge the gap if I could tell them something. So do I have this right? If I want to play a slow blues in Am, and a Harp player asks me, I can tell him to use his D Maj harp? If it's Cm blues, then his F Maj harp, etc?

[@aazo999]

I just played along with in G made it work Tod

[@AceOfHarps]

Yep! 3rd position on a G is Am!

[@CasaErwin]

I think you missed one important point. For instance on a C Major harp you can play melodies in the key of A minor, but there are no A minor or E minor chords (E minor is important in the key of A minor just like G Major is important in the key of C Major). You could get an A minor chord on 3d 4d 5d if you could bend the 3d down a full step while playing the other holes straight draw, but I don't know of anyone who can do that. If anyone could do it, it would probably be Howard Levy.

[@AceOfHarps]

You're referring to 4th position, and though not the topic of this video, 4th position is another option for minor playing, as are 3rd and 5th positions. The correct notes for arrpegiating an Am chord would be 3d whole step, 4 blow and 5 blow. Though the complete chords aren't there (you do have partial Am and Em chords), it can still be a great position for certain minor melodies.

[@AwPeace]

This sounded rly cool. Were did you find the nice jam music? :)

[@AceOfHarps]

AwPeace Guitar Center King Of The Blues backing track! You should be able to download the track for free online.

[@AwPeace]

Thanx you :)

[@roberttemple2521]

sweet !!!

[@nikko97144]

So you can play minor songs on a major harmonica, but is it easier to play minor on a minor tuned harmonica, needing more practice on a major tuned one?

[@MrBluesoles]

Hey thanks for the quick response. I actually picked up my C and guess I was was following along in third position (which was actually relatively easy). Next question - on the D harp: on runs from the 6 blow to the 8 draw I'm hitting a major note on the 7 hole where you stay minor. what are you doing here? have you moded your harp?

[@mr_mshmsh]

Make that harmonica cry!

[@dantmcclellan]

I envy the skill.

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks, Dan! It's taken me many years of practice!

[@TomMilleyMusic]

really? i didnt think you could blow bend on the 7. so, not an overblow though, just a regular bend? because i can deal with a regular bend. im shit at overblows though.

[@angelpaz9233]

D: your really good. gratz

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks!

[@AceOfHarps]

@thewilliesmith Thanks!

[@nfrantnik]

WOW!!!

[@nvonliph]

Man, I've got a Lee Oskar nat minor in A, but every time it touches my lips the only song I end up playing Darth Vader's tune. Every time. I've learned to pick up my D instead, since I prefer trek.

[@jeffmilkey]

Hopefully you get lots of studio gigs....that sound deserves to be recorded...

[@AceOfHarps]

Thanks!

[@DarkCloudLightFF7DCL]

What's your policy/ thoughts on taking students for pay/compensation?

[@AceOfHarps]

Sorry for the late reply - I rarely login here. Yes, I do teach via Skype. You may check my web site for more info and rates.

[@jasonricci]

U rock

[@Broaart]

years

[@TheChris2470]

5:07 "I hate to keep harping on this..." I see what you did there

[@AceOfHarps]

:)

[@sachetsofrelish]

You pitch the whole thing just right Todd. 5*