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 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Question on the composition of a piece of classical music (Sleepers, Awake)


Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/375638

finger-picker - Posted - 06/12/2021:  13:45:53

I've been pretty satisfied with the arrangers' approach to their Hal Leonard's Bach on the Banjo booklet and have learned several pieces from it so far. Every now and then they do something that I don't quite understand though and I was hoping others could chime in on this particular piece. The green circled section of the attached image has a third string A then a fourth string A of the same octave and then back to the third string A in quick succession. Why not just keep it all on the third string A instead of jumping my hand around? Perhaps it has something to do with "Harm." which I assume stands for harmony, that is above the note?



Thank you



 



P.S. just in case it's relevant, it is in the key of D with the following tuning: f#-D-G-b-d

Edited by - finger-picker on 06/12/2021 13:48:10


Sleepers, Awake Excerpt


 

Alex Z - Posted - 06/12/2021:  15:20:47

The 7th fret on the 4th string labeled "Harm" is played as a "harmonic."  Very lightly touching the 4th string directly above the 7th fret but not fretting the 7th fret and plucking the string will produce an A note that is an octave and a fifth above the open D string -- that is, it will produce an A note that is an octave above the 3rd string 2nd fret A.



To practice harmonics, use the12th fret, 1st tring.  The notes come out more easily, and you'll get the hang of it more quickly.  12th fret will produce an octave above the open string.

Edited by - Alex Z on 06/12/2021 15:21:32

finger-picker - Posted - 06/12/2021:  15:34:31

quote:
Originally posted by Alex Z

The 7th fret on the 4th string labeled "Harm" is played as a "harmonic."  Very lightly touching the 4th string directly above the 7th fret but not fretting the 7th fret and plucking the string will produce an A note that is an octave and a fifth above the open D string -- that is, it will produce an A note that is an octave above the 3rd string 2nd fret A.



To practice harmonics, use the12th fret, 1st tring.  The notes come out more easily, and you'll get the hang of it more quickly.  12th fret will produce an octave above the open string.





Oh of course, thanks. 

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