Hava Nagila

[bozzd]

Hi guys. What scale/s would you use to improvise over Havana Gila? Although not quite geographically correct I would like to get a kind of Balkan feel. Like Ivo Papasov's clarinet playing if you have heard him. Any advice much appreciated.

 

[TheCureFan]

This is probably of no use but here goes anyway. The simple version I have is in the Key of F (or D minor (still haven't worked out how you tell)) and the chords it has are C7 , Fm and Bbm. As for improve I'm still working on how to tell which is best (bit difficult when I can only play 5 so far)

 

[ArtyLady]

Off the top of my head - any relevant Harmonic Minors (and patterns derived from) should work quite well

 

[aldevis]

Havana Gila? A Cuban rabbi smoking cigars and playing congas?

If Curefan's chords are correct, F harmonic minor seems to be the relevant scale

 

[TheCureFan]

Thought I'd better add that the simple version I have is from 'new tune a day for alto'

 

[aldevis]

Thought I'd better add that the simple version I have is from 'new tune a day for alto'

And that was for a Saturday paid gig, I guess.

 

[TheCureFan]

It was and a good time was had by all (well the wife and the cat anyway)? Tips werent plentiful apart from don't give up the day job, which is a bit worrying as I don't have one.

 

[kevgermany]

This is probably of no use but here goes anyway. The simple version I have is in the Key of F (or D minor (still haven't worked out how you tell)) and the chords it has are C7 , Fm and Bbm. As for improve I'm still working on how to tell which is best (bit difficult when I can only play 5 so far)

Most tunes end on the tonic. So if it ends on an F, you're there. Aldevis suggestion of F harmnic minor sounds rught, but there's also a Klezmer scale.

 

[bozzd]

Thanks everyone. Particularly kevg and the Klezmer tip. Plenty to go at there.

 

[AndyWhiteford]

"double harmonic major" is useful in Klezmer.

C double harmonic major is:
C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, B, C

 

[kevgermany]

More info:

https://sites.google.com/site/klezmerfiddle/what-is-klezmer-music-4/the-main-klezmer-scales-modes