#63 - Drew's "TIP-OF-THE-DAY" ... Playing OLD JOE CLARK on a single key DIATONIC autoharp

DIATONIC harps can play Old Joe Clark as per chart below, on a single key G harp (a "G" diatonic harp will have C- G- D chords) ... and chromatic harpers can similarly play this same version, which I think I like better than the first version I did. Actually, any single key or multiple key diatonic harp can play this tune using the formula of starting in the key of the V chord on a G diatonic. The example shown is played in key of D.

Note that the "2" note in the scale will be found in the flatted seventh chord (the C chord). Only C - G - D chords are used.

the A part:  
  D  G   C   G  D  G  D  -  D  G   C   G  D -
-
  5   6 *7b* 6   5   4  3   -  5   6 *7b*  6   5  
- -

  D  G   C   G  D  G  D -  D   D  C   C   D -
-
  5   6 *7b* 6   5   4  3  -  3   1   2  *7b* 1
- -

the B part:
  D   -   D   -   D  G  D -  D  -   D   D   C  
- -
  1   -   1   -   5   4  3  -  1   -   1   1   *7b*
- -

  D   -   D   -   D  G  D -  D   D  C   C   D
- -

  1   -   1   -   5   4  3  -  3   1   2 *7b*    1
- -

I like this version BETTER than my "#62 TIP-OF-THE-DAY"!

Even though you use a single key "G" diatonic harp, consider that you will be playing in the key of the V chord (D). The song starts on the 5 note in the scale in the key of D, and ends on the 1 (do) note in the scale in the key of D. There is no need for an A chord in this song. And THAT"S the reason why this works ... playing in the key of the V chord on a SINGLE key diatonic ... and using only three major chords!

This won't work for all Mixolydian tunes, as almost all will require using a I, IV, V chord PLUS a flatted seventh chord. And the flatted seventh chord will be one chord letter LESS the key you will be playing in.

Give "Old Joe Clark" a try! It will work with three chords.

Drew Smith
c/o Great All-American Autoharp Emporium
529 Ardmore Road, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 / 201 444-2833
drewharpsmith at netzero.net

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