Following a backing track

[Big Mamma Thornton]

#23482

I am having a little bit of confusion and hope that someone can answer this question. I am trying to practice my scales both the blues scale and the pentatonic scale using a backing track. When following a backtrack what key do I want the backing track to be in? I will use the key of C as an example. If I am on a backing track that says it is in the key of G, does that mean I need to play it on a g harmonica? Or does that mean I need to play it in second position on a c harmonica? If that is the case and I do not own a bunch of Lee Oskar harmonicas, which has second position marked on all of their harmonicas, then do I have to memorize the second position for every key of harmonica so I know which backing track to follow? I hope that question makes sense!

[Udo]

#23484

C-G-D-A-E-Bb-F-C

You move from the key of your harmonica (1st position) one position to the right (2nd position).
So if you have a C harp 2nd position is G. Second Position for a G harmonica is D. (and so on)

1st-2nd-3rd (position)
C—G—D
D—A—E
E—Bb–F
F—C—G
G—D—A
A—E—Bb
Bb–F—C

Hope this helps

[Big Mamma Thornton]

#23503

Thank you Udo. That helps a lot. It doesn’t however tell me what key I need to play a backing track in. If I am on my C harmonica and I am playing a backing track in G I can practice my blues scale. However if I want to practice my pentatonic scale I must listen to a backing track in the key of C? Or if I am playing My harmonica in the key of G and I want to practice my blues scale I need to follow a backing track in the key of D? And if I want to practice my pentatonic scale I need to follow a backing track in the key of G? Which of course would be the same backing track that I used to practice my blues scale on my C harmonica in the key of G? Does that make any sense?

Can you see my confusion? I hope somebody can clear this up it would greatly help in my practice sessions.

BTW, I have just purchased a 5-pack of Marine band harmonicas. I now have the keys of C,G,A,D & E. I would like to practice with all my harmonicas so I can get used to its own particular tone which is why this question is so important to me! As a beginner and playing on my own this is the only way I will get to play all of my harmonicas.

[Udo]

#23504

Ted,

Point taken. Blues scales learned so far a played in 2nd position – so you get a backing track in the major key notated in the 2nd column. Pentatonic scales are played in 1st position – so you get a backing track in the major key notated in the 1st column.
And you already made the right assumption on the blues scale played on the G harmonica: You need a backing track in the key of D. Yes and pentatonic scale on G harmonica is played to a backing track in the key of G.

I hope you are not confused anymore.

[Big Mamma Thornton]

#23505

No I think I got it! Thank you very much, between your 2 very short and to the point posts you have answered my questions. Sorry I had to take up so much space to ask the question. LOL
You got a good way with the way you put your words and your thoughts together, thank you buddy. This is like the third or fourth time you’ve helped me out with a question and I really appreciate it.

[Udo]

#23506

Happy to help.

Keep on harpin’

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