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From: Mike Curtis
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 1996 16:32:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Second position mystery, and positions

<"4th above" vs "circle of fifths">

As much as I harp on theory (excuse the pun), if I'm in "harp-switching
mode", I personally find the "4th above= second position" rule is a little
simpler to remember than the circle of fifths, simply because it gives me
the information I need at that time (I know the song key, but I need the
harp key). Of course, it helps if you know how to use both. Fourth= key to
harp conversion; fifth= harp to key conversion.

But that's the beauty of all this - if you know ALL the tricks, you can
choose the best one for you!

I have a picture of a small, furry dog with a puzzled look on his face. The
caption reads "Could you please explain standing wave ratios just one more
time?" Ever get the impression that this is what most guitarists "see" when
we tell them we play harmonica? I agree with Mic'l about letting the
guitarist/etc. know immediately that I'll select the harp I'm going to use.
I know he's just trying to be helpful, but it really shows that harmonicists
are not looked upon as "real musicians", and I want to do all I possibly can
to dispel this notion. It costs me money! Even if we play mostly second
position it doesn't mean we're drooling idiots.

I find that playing at least a few positions on one harp will instantly
garner a lot more respect. For example, if we can play 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
and 5th positions (all quite easy!), with a C harp we can cover just about
ANYTHING a typical guitarist will throw our way - C, G, D, A, and E.
Everyone in the band who "knows" anything about harmonica will be
flabbergasted when they change keys but you DON'T change harps! And none of
these are that difficult. 4th is almost the same as first. Fifth is
doggone close to second. And most of us use third position at some time or
other - right? If we add 6th position (not all that hard), it's childsplay
to cover ANY key with a C and Db harp (or ANY 2 adjacent harps, for that
matter).


-- IronMan Mike Curtis