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~Harmonica Notation~
Whena hole numberstands by itself below a note,it is to be drawn (3). When a hole number is
followed by a plus,itis to be blown (3+). Beloware some examples of the notationthat you'll runinto
that are either not apparent atfirst glance or are specific to harmonicanotation,

DOTTED VALUES
Dotted Values: A dot, notated to the right of a note head, extends its
ez =3 value byhalf. ex: A half note normally receives 2 beats; a dotted half
receives 3 beats (2 + 1 = 3). A quarter note normallyreceives | beat; a
oel+1/2=1 12 dotted quarterreceives 1 1/2 beats (1 + 1/2 1 1/2). An eighth note
normally receives a 1/2 beat; a dotted eighth receives3/4 of a beat (1/2 +
14 = 3/4).
* 12+ 4 = 3/4

TIE & SLUR

Tie & Slur:It is possible to combinethe duration ofsuccessive notes
ofthe same pitchusing a curved line known as atie. If the curved line
Beats connects successive notes of different pitch,it is called a slur. When a
sluris used over a bend it means for youto play it smooth, not detached.

ACCENTS
a > Accent #1: This accent means that theinitial attackof the note is to
° have more body and volume. When performing this aecent, don't just
think loud andstrong, but attack the note then taper down the Volumeand
intensity.

a Accent #2: This accent means to give the note its utmost full length,
- dd then more. This marking is often used in blues on the strong beat to
give importanceoverthe weak beat.

8 Accent #3: This accentis called a staccato. When you perform a note
staccato youare to give the note a quick attack, then stop, thus giving the
note a short duration. This marking is often used in blues on the weak
beat to give importanceto the strong.

Whenplaying blues,the triplet rhythmic feel dominates. Whenthe

markingto theleft is given,it meansto give the eighth note on the beat a
longer duration, and to play the eighth note offthe beat a slight bit later in
‘OR time and shorter. This takes an otherwise very scuare and strict rhythm,
° ° 6 and givesit a rounder, more fluid feeling. Youwill not usually see this
marking in this book.” All the music you will read in this book hasthis,
thythmic feeling assumed, withoutit, it wouldn't soundlike blues!
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