Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 03:08 AM CDT

See - told you it wouldn't be long till my next stupid question!

Ok, as part of my effect bank (a Boss GT-8), I've got an option to use a "harmonist".
I've had a look and what I think it does is add an extra layer of guitar under or over what you play dependant on what key you're in. I can change what octave it harmonises (5ths, 7ths etc) and all that.

The bit I'm not following is the key. I'm assuming that if I set it to where the screen says "C" that if I play a C scale, I'll get an accompanying harmony note all the way along. This doesn't seem to be the case when I play it. Also, the screen shwos C, D, E etc etc etc. I'm not following why there's a minor chord in brackets. And also, assuming what I assume above is correct and we all know what they say about assumptions.. how do I get a minor chord harmony? There's no option I can see to set from major to minor like you'd see on an intelligent harmoniser like the Boss Harmonist. The manual that comes with the pedal only explains the pedal itself rather than each of the many spangly things it does.

I can see very shortly someone kindly pointing out either
a) some very simple point I've missed or
b) explaining in some technical way what I'm not understanding about music theory.

Be gentle....

To prepare, my next stupid question will be around what these funny metal wires running up the guitar are all about!

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 03:55 AM CDT

I know these are relative minors in other words Aminor has all of the same notes as Cmajor It is the relative minor of Cmajor.

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 05:10 AM CDT

If the tonality is "C", the relative minor "Am" will make an effective substitute, what this could mean to you as a soloist is to change your thinking, different patterns and associations might become available.
That is if you think about what is happening. Most of the time, and especially after you learn the associations by rote, you forget them and just go for it...

Daug

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 06:46 AM CDT

I think I'm following you so far. Harmonic notes for Am would be the same as it is for C as Am is C's relative minor.

That being the case, not sure why the Boss Harmonist pedal would have a separate setting between major and minor as surely you could just use the relative minor of the major key?

Even so, for some reason, playing a C scale with this thing turned on to C on the harmonist isn't giving me what sounds like a correct harmony to the C scale I play. Would it make a difference whether I play different scales eg pentatonic, etc etc?

Thanks for the thoughs so far. I'm already a little wiser!

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 08:12 AM CDT

perhaps the key only matters when you set it do harmony in thirds?

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 08:14 AM CDT

Quote by: SmokeyVW perhaps the key only matters when you set it do harmony in thirds?

So if I keep it set to thirds, in the correct key, a scale should then sound correct, whereas fifths or sevenths will just be that amount up from the note regardless of the key setting?

Worth a go. Thanks SmokeyVW!

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 08:50 AM CDT

Let me know how it goes. I have tried using a harmonizer in the past but it never really worked well. Staying at thirds or anything else for more than a couple words always sounded odd to me.

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 09:05 AM CDT

Quote by: Saltaireguru77 Quote by: SmokeyVW perhaps the key only matters when you set it do harmony in thirds? So if I keep it set to thirds, in the correct key, a scale should then sound correct, whereas fifths or sevenths will just be that amount up from the note regardless of the key setting? Worth a go. Thanks SmokeyVW!

it's purely a guess on my part

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 09:17 AM CDT

Quote by: SmokeyVW Quote by: Saltaireguru77 Quote by: SmokeyVW perhaps the key only matters when you set it do harmony in thirds? So if I keep it set to thirds, in the correct key, a scale should then sound correct, whereas fifths or sevenths will just be that amount up from the note regardless of the key setting? Worth a go. Thanks SmokeyVW! it's purely a guess on my part

Ahh don't be telling me that! You sounded so self assured, I took it for fact issued forth from a great pit of wisdom! Don't spoil it for me!

Re:Harmonist FX
Monday, August 08 2011 @ 10:14 AM CDT

Quote by: Saltaireguru77 how do I get a minor chord harmony?

If you set the effect for "C", then playing a D, E, and A will get you a minor chord, because in C or Am those chords are minor (eh, not quite true for Am), and F and G will give a major harmony.

Quote by: SmokeyVW perhaps the key only matters when you set it do harmony in thirds?

A 4th on F is a B in C, a Bb in F.

Victor.