Bill; in answer to your question, I must say that there are no set rules. Some fiddle tunes will only work in second, and some only in first. A lot will work in both, although one might not play the tune exactly the same way in each position. As far as I am concerned, Charlie Mc.Coy wrote the book, or at least the first edition, on playing fiddle tunes/licks in second pos. Some of the better known fiddle tunes that I play are:
Arkansas Traveller; 1st or 2nd Bill Cheatham; Ditto 8th of January;2nd only Fisher's Hornpipe;1st only Soldiers Joy; 1st only Beaumont Rag;!st only Smiths Reel; 2nd Devil's Dream;1st Red Haired Boy;2nd or 3rd (ie D on C Harp) or what I call 6th (A on C harp)
I will always play in 2nd wherever I can, as the bends available do away with a l ot of the push-pull stuff you find yourself doing in 1st. A good trick to have up your sleeve is blocking the 5 hole draw, and playing the notes on either side- D(block)A- when you want a strong V chord (D on the C harp whilst playing in G).
Bredhan Power is pretty hot stuff on fiddle tunes these days, though he uses the chrom. quite a bit. I have never seen his name mentioned on harp-l. For those interested, his CDs are available on Green Linnet, and I reccomend highly 'New Irish Harmonica'.
As for the " basement tape"we're working on it, but don't hold your breath.
Best of luck, Rick Dempster.
Rick Dempster RMIT Libraries E-mail: ric~ib.library.rmit.edu.au
