Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Tip of the Day

7 Positions in One Scale - Part 6 (2nd Position)

No replies
Wed, 05/22/2013 - 08:25
David Barrett Admin
David Barrett Admin's picture
Offline
Head InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 11/30/2009

Our next position starts on the 5th Scale Degree of the Major Scale and is called 2nd Position... this is playing in the key G on the C Harmonica. The Mode created is called the Mixolydian Mode.

The notes are as follows:
G A B C D E F G (same notes as the C Major Scale, just starting from G)

Intervals:
Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole

Scale Degrees (Relative to its equivalent Major Scale):
1 2 3 4 5 6 Flat-7 8

Full Scale:
1+ 1 2+ 2" 2
2 3" 3 4+ 4 5+ 5 6+
6+ 6 7 7+ 8 8+ 9 9+
9+ 10 10'+ 10+

This is our all-so-common 2nd Position. The Flat-7 (2", 5 and 9) are great bluesy-sounding notes and one of the important reasons why we play in 2nd Position. If you play all the draw notes on the harmonica you achieve a I9 Chord (One-Nine Chord = G B D F A)... so ALL draw notes work for the I Chord. If you play all the blow notes on the harmonica you achieve a IV Chord (Four Chord = C E G)... so ALL blow notes work for the IV Chord. The V Chord is more challenging, but doable (Five Chord = 1 2' 3" 4+ 4 for example). Roughly 99% of all blues played on the harmonica is in 2nd Position (less percentage for top-level players since they know how to play well in other positions).

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com