Harmonica Position Chart
Hi David,
Thanks for fixing my issue with not being able to post. I am brand-new to this webcourse and am curious about the position chart shared in the beginner C harp lesson here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/private/po...
My question is that it seems to contradict most other position charts I've found on the internet--why is that? Compare that chart to this one https://www.harmonicalessons.com/images/chart_keys_postitions.gif or this one https://my.hohner.de/uploads/db6518/original/1X/50ec7eaaab44733d8d13520f9e9cd08bb782ce40.jpeg and you notice the 2nd position keys do not align. Take Bb--on the bluesharmonica.com chart, that seems to say 2nd position is Eb, but the other charts both show 2nd position on a Bb harmonica to be F. Several other keys are different, as well. Can you help explain what I'm noticing?
Hello jakeknowsaguy. Thanks Rob, you nailed it.
Hi Jake. I'm going to jump in ahead of David (who'll get a really good response back to you, and is generally really prompt), with two things:
First, David's chart has stuff in a different order, E.g., on his, his left-hand column is the key that the band is playing in (or that the song is performed in), and the the three columns to the right show what key harp to pull out to play along in 1st, 2nd or 3rd position. At least one of the other charts you reference is set up the other direction. I.e.., the left-hand column notes the harp you have in your hand, and the three to the right show what keys of songs will work for you in three different positions while you're using that particular harp. On both you'll see that for 2nd position playing, if the band in in D, your G harp will work in 2nd position.
But more importantly, as you learn, the sooner you can toss that key chart and just know in your head what keys of harps are going to work in what positions for what keys of songs, the more you'll enjoy playing. David's music theory lessons are great for this. It'll sound like Greek at first (unless, of course, you're from Greece), but in the end music theory is nothing more than simple math. (And by the way, even once you get all the music theory down, should you ever pull out the wrong-keyed harp on the bandstand, or pull out the right one but start playing it upside down, don't worry. You'll be joining a long list of players that includes all of the greats.)
Welcome to the wonderful world of blues harmonica.