Transposing the MIDI backing track

I love to learn playing using MIDI tracks because every note of music is represented here and it's scale position can be checked exactly and easily using the MIDI music editors such as Harpingmidi or Cakewalk Home Studio (CWHS). These programs let you transpose the MIDI tracks easily too. You don't need to listen repeatedly some clip trying to figure out by the ear what the note to play. Instead you just look at them on the computer screen represented by the names on a notation or piano roll window. Harping software even shows you the draw or blow notes and the hole position on the harmonica.

When you open the MIDI file with the programs mentioned above just look for the menu command Transpose to change the key of the song.



Example:

Let's say we want to change the key of the original Gb blues clip to the key of G, suitable for the C harmonica to play in the key of G in the second position. We make it by changing the pitch of Gb clip transposing it up by a half position (1 semitone).

Try both clips with the key of C diatonic harmonica (click links above) and you will hear the difference and easily feel which one is suitable to play along.

More tips at http://harmonicatips.blogspot.com