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Descending Basslines in Amin, C9 and F9
Start with Harps Tuned in C
[HTL-71-210422 – HARP TIME LIVE #71 – Thu. Apr. 22, 2021]
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This was a sequence that developed as we went along. Here’s how:
- We started out by working on the descending chord sequence from Baroque Flamenco (Am – G Maj – F Maj – E sus4), but I wanted to experiment and see what happens when we put that same sequence into the key of C Major (the relative major of A minor).
- When I tried it, I didn’t like the sound at all BUT … after experimenting I discovered something beautiful: a true descending bassline based on C9 (LH C // RH D-E-G), where the RH stays the same and the LH descends C-B-A-G.
- That was beautiful BUT … my ear needed a change, so I shifted that same shape up to F and played it: F9 (LH: F // RH: G-A-C) where the RH stays the same and the LH descends F-E-D-C.
- Then we started going back and forth between the two concepts: the Amin sequence and the C9 / F9 sequence.
- That was nice BUT … it was a little clunky moving to the C9 … SO we changed it so the last time we did the Aminor sequence, it went: Am – G Maj – F Maj – G MAJ.
- That created a beautiful bridge back to the major key and suddenly the combination became GLORIOUS!
You’ll be able to hear that all developing as you go through the session, and you can see the moment I fell in love with this.
Here’s how to take what you learn in this session much further:
Join “Hip Harp Academy” …
or check out “Blueprints for Creativity”
where you’ll learn other Blueprints like the Baroque Flamenco Blueprint
or “Baroque Flamenco Beyond the Page”
where you can learn to add the rhythms, strumming techniques, etc. to take this piece to the next level.
Please add your own insights, revelations, and takeaways below in the comments, even if someone else already said the same thing! Just say it in your own way or say it again the way they did.
- To start the replay, just look for the little arrow in the lower left-hand corner of the videos.
- To watch in full-screen look in the lower RH corner of the video for the ‘four expanding arrows’ icon.
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The Chat Feed (click to open)
16:39:45 From Connie Loporto : lol I wanted to put a live play on pause to repeat haha
16:44:43 From MARY MC FADDEN : whoops i gotta go!
16:45:29 From Connie Loporto : sounds like elvis presley
16:46:36 From Connie Loporto : Beautiful
16:47:59 From Shelley Fairplay : Love this, reminds me of something from Les Mis!
16:48:22 From Connie Loporto : This wonderful anti stress stuff, lovely.
16:50:12 From Connie Loporto : sounds lovely coming back down desending too
16:51:01 From Connie Loporto : Deborah this is you, passion build up
16:54:18 From Connie Loporto : What are you going to call this one…. how would you bones this. intro, melody, credenza, and back
16:56:18 From Connie Loporto : I love the C without the return AGE
16:58:43 From Connie Loporto : This is the most beautiful Baroque Flamenco I’ve ever heard.
17:03:24 From Connie Loporto : look at the sunlight for that closing
17:03:55 From Nancy Cochran : Soooo beautiful.
17:04:02 From Joke Verdoold : Remembering by the shape of my fingers
17:04:26 From Laurie Grant : Patterns and structure helped me remember what to play
17:05:00 From Carol Henley : The descending bass is so amazing! I’m just “getting it”. Yea!
17:06:12 From Shelley Fairplay : This has been sooooo lovely and I feel so refreshed having just played this with you all, THANK YOU DHC! I have to head off now, have a wonderful session all 🙂
17:07:11 From Yael Yaniv Perry : ןאד AABA
17:09:22 From Teddy Jones : hands move down together on A Only the left hand moves on C
17:10:43 From Sheila Jaffe : The baroque part has a minor feel, and going to the 2nd part is a major feel
17:10:46 From debra Sawyer : Mr Bojangles instead of going up to F I went down. So the jump works too
17:11:06 From Connie Loporto : The E has a lead back to A
17:11:20 From Connie Loporto : no to FE
17:11:22 From Tara : The “new” part was “easier” because the right hand didn’t move.
17:11:38 From Laurie Grant : Loved that Mr Bojangles connection, Debra!!
17:12:02 From Yael Yaniv Perry : can you play it slowly once?
17:12:29 From Sarah : From the C and F part playing in the right the same nine patern. The am part is a descending bass part with different shapes
17:13:25 From Anna Bosanquet : just technical question – can you show good / easy technique for playing descending octaves in the left hand?
17:16:36 From Kathy DeAngelo : Gotta run. This was fun!
17:16:44 From Yael Yaniv Perry : great thanks
17:17:35 From Vera Stern : A section is all triads descending . C section is filling in the first third of C. Same for F section.
17:19:22 From Heather F : Good explanation Vera! Teacher mind
17:19:24 From Lyn Thompson : Another fun session…. thank you so much.
17:19:30 From Joke Verdoold : Wish you all goodnight before I collapse behind the screen Bye
17:20:29 From cherie Mafey : Repeating makes me remember more.
17:21:00 From Dianne Phelan Muller : variations on the fifths. thanks.
17:21:05 From Pam Jurgens : The C and F descending were a new toy for me . Thank you!
17:21:55 From Carol Henley : takeaway: the wonderful sound of a descending base with a right hand chord staying the same
17:21:58 From Connie Loporto : I got the best Baroque sound a new way of expression. Who told me it’s not their type of music should be here.
17:22:29 From Betty Herloski : When you know the chord progressions it’s easier to improvise because because you don have have to think about where your left is headed
17:22:56 From Liz Brown : Loved this! Thank you!
17:23:52 From Connie Loporto : Deborah, what did you learn today? You are awesome, and a wonderful voice to teach with. I will return to this live several times.
17:24:03 From Evelyn G : thanks for the repetitions from me too! i dont have the worry that you’ll move on before I’ve understood it. And theres time to try my own variations that no one else has to hear.
17:26:08 From Connie Loporto : I will play on the rerun, you are so beautiful playing I am absorbing the essence. So beautiful to watch.
17:27:39 From John Schaad : This is inspiring! …and I hope to continue somehow.
17:29:18 From Connie Loporto : What are we going to call this
17:29:39 From Yael Yaniv Perry : beautifull
17:29:46 From Carol Henley : I finally, finally got it! and I almost cried because it was so wonderful!
17:29:48 From vimukti warr : I have missed this, thank you.
17:29:54 From Connie Loporto : Keep it slow it’s hypnotic
17:30:09 From Tara : I want to write something from this, too.
17:30:13 From debra Sawyer : Descendents are so powerful! Like in Nightingale.
17:30:13 From Laurie Grant : It was inspiring to watch it develop!!!
17:30:19 From Tami Halun : Its easier to add the left and right hands together
17:30:45 From Pam Jurgens : Love the hypnotic and it calls you to play with new patterns
17:30:56 From vimukti warr : T/A prioritize getting to these live sessions. Playing and learning different patterns and rhythms. I could keep up!
17:31:06 From Connie Loporto : Deborah do a live tonight with it invite everyone
17:31:26 From Pam Jurgens : Yes!!! The reps give us time to try things out!
17:31:32 From Connie Loporto : two thumbs up
17:31:56 From Sarah : It is beautiful specially with you singing!
17:32:04 From Sheila Jaffe : It is so satisfying going from the a minor to the major – tension builds and then releases – ahhh.
17:32:27 From Mike Fox : Thanks so much DHC – it’s been lovely to be here tonight – have to go now
17:32:35 From Vera Stern : It develops the inner ear
17:32:42 From Laurie Grant : Thank you!!
17:33:06 From Vera Stern : Following the instinct
17:33:14 From Yael Yaniv Perry : thank you very much! it was great
17:33:30 From Tovelah : Thank You! So Beautiful ☺️
17:33:59 From Connie Loporto : Anne stay the closing is the part that makes you wish you watched the whole thing
17:34:02 From cherie Mafey : Thank you loved going over & over it, can remember it better.
17:34:09 From Gail : Mary and I loved it. Your teaching ability is superb! Thank you for the fun time of playing together.
17:34:13 From Anne Horton : Great to see you all here today!! Sorry I can’t stay and chat afterwards – have a great evening/night/day!!! 🙂
17:34:43 From Gail : Yes, your voice was fabulous!
17:34:49 From Sarah : Thanks 🙏
17:35:09 From Tami Halun : i can
17:35:31 From DHC : https://www.hipharp.com/academy/htlwdhc-harp-time-with-dhc-live-main-page/
17:35:32 From Felicity Collins : Thanks Deborah- great
17:35:38 From Connie Loporto : and refresh
17:35:39 From vimukti warr : Good bye everyone
17:35:42 From Nancy Cochran : I Thank you as always Deborah! a
17:35:47 From Laurie Grant : Bye everyone!
17:35:50 From Anne Horton : Jane says hi!
Share your takeaways and 'aha's' below.
What are the principles and concepts in this session? If you had to remember what you learned, or someone said, "Quick! I have to do an improv! What did you learn in this 'Harp Time Live!' session that I can use??" - What would you tell them?
left thumb AGFE, right ace,gbd,far,eab. go slow, take it up desending chords. have fun with it. and if your listening to me good luck watch the review and get a quick outlook before you go.