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

Transposing from Position to Position

No replies
Tue, 08/26/2014 - 07:15
David Barrett Admin
David Barrett Admin's picture
Offline
Head InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 11/30/2009

A student asked today in the forum how to move an accompaniment line from 2nd Position to 3rd Position. This is a great skill, especially as one advances in their studies and finds themselves playing in multiple positions and needing to be speak fluently in all the areas we need to in music (in this case accompaniment).

---

Analyze what you play in a simple accompaniment in 2nd Position. For example, if you play the Charleston Rhythm on the 2 draw for the I7 Chord, then you're playing the root of the chord (G of the G B D F Chord). Translating this to 3rd Position, you're now in the Key of D, so the I Chord is D F# A C. Play the D (the root note... apples for apples), so this would give you an option of 1, 4 or 8 draw. Do this for the rest of the progression. To help out here are the chords in 2nd Position and 3rd Position.

2nd Position
I7 = G B D F
IV7 = C E G Bb
V7 = D F# A C

3rd Position
I7 = D F# A C
IV7 = G B D F
V7 = A C# E G

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