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Forums :: General Discussion

positions

4 replies [Last post]
Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:03
wahoo
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what is the defination of 1st 2nd 3rd ?? 

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Sun, 05/31/2015 - 15:15
#1
Greg Heumann
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Joined: 04/29/2010
Positions refer to the

Positions refer to the "position" of the key of the tune, relative to the key harp you choose, on the Circle of Fifths. If the music is in the key of C, then using a C harmonica is playing in 1st position. Using an F harmonica is playing in 2nd position, and using a D harmonica is playing in 3rd. 

We choose a position to give us the notes we want, where we want them to best suit the song and our mood. 2nd position is very common for blues as it gives us the minor 7th and puts the important notes on the draw reeds at the bottom of the harp so we can bend a lot. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you were Jimmy Reed, you'd often choose 1st position where you can easily bend the notes at the high end of the harp for blues. And if the music had a minor feel, you might choose 3rd position.  There are other positions too - and they all "map" a scale (implied by the harp) onto the key (implied by the music) - similar to the concetp of "modes" in music theory.

/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com

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Mon, 06/01/2015 - 20:51
#2
Eddy Vanschepdael
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Joined: 08/19/2010
3rd position erratum

Using a D harp playing the key of C is 11th position. Using Bb harp playing the key of C is third position.

If you play a D harp in third position, you are in the key of E.

 

Eddy

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Tue, 06/02/2015 - 06:38
#3
timeistight
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Joined: 11/27/2012
3rd position erratum erratum

Playing a C harmonica in the key of D *is* third position; 12th position is playing in the key of F on a C harmonica or in the key of C on a G harmonica.

Greg accidentally reversed his keys, saying key of C on a D harmonica was third. Key of C on a D harmonica is actually 11th position.

 

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Mon, 06/01/2015 - 13:45
#4
jgwilks
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Level 5
Joined: 07/23/2013
Start on the key of the

Start on the key of the harmonica.

For example C. That is first position. 

Move to the right on the circle of fifths one spot. That is the key of 2nd position on the C harp. 

And so on...

my suggestion is too study the circle of fifths which takes the mystery away. 

You can download it to your iPhone for free. 

 

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