Other web Sites
Harmonica Blues  Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
• Archives Home
• Years
 · 1992
 · 1993
 · 1994
 · 1995
 · 1996
 · 1997 		 · 1998
 · 1999
 · 2000
 · 2001
 · 2002
 · 2003
 
Web HarpL
Ebay Searches:
Amps:
Microphones:
Effects:
Harmonicas and Gear:
Harmonica Music and Instruction:

 

 

Harp-L Archives

[Previous Message] [Next Message]
[Next in Thread]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

From: sk~te.com (Rod Thomas/Sandra Teare)
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 1996 10:54:24 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: second position mystery

Hey Bill,

You're making a mistake I've made a million times. For second
position playing, you have to remember that the "harp Key" is a fourth
above the "song key". You also have to avoid switching the two keys in
your head. If the song is in D, then the harp to use for second position
playing is a G harp. (G is a fourth above D.)

If the song was in the key of A, then you would use the D harp. (If
the song is in the key of D, you DO NOT use the A harp).

You have to keep clear which is the song key and which is the harp key.
The relationship between them is not reversable. The harp key is a fourth
above the song key. (not the other way around).


For third position playing (good for minor tunes), take the song key and
drop down one full step. So for a song in D, (or Dm), count down one full
step to C. Play a C harp for third position playing on a D, or Dm tune.

You might want to draw up a chart. I have one in the lid of my harp
case, indicating 2nd, 3rd,4th, and 5th positions. (Again though, you have
to make it clear which column of keys is for the harp, and which column of
keys is for the rest of the band). In a couple years, you'll have them all
memorized, but in the meantime, it makes life a lot easier.

Play on,
Rod


He says the song is in the key of
D, so I grab my A harp to follow along, and something ain't right.
So.....what goes on? I think the G harp plays with this tune as it is
on the album. Is this something other than 2nd position? (3rd maybe?)
Or is the guitarist wrong, or transposing from the album? Maybe his
band plays the song in D, and the A harp, 2nd position would be
correct. Help.
Bill Otten

- --
Rod Thomas email: sk~te.com