Re: [Harp-L] Re: Position Perception



From: "Ansel Barnum" <barnum@xxxxxxxxx>
Perhaps I was trying to articulate (albeit poorly) the obvious--namely,
that learning other positions is just plain hard for us mortals. What
makes it especially tormenting is that each position uses the very same
notes one may already be intimately familiar with from another position,
but which are now suddenly foreign only because they are played in a
different sequence. It doesn't matter if one knows second position inside
and out. Learning fourth position is like learning second for the first
time. That's what makes positions so elusive, and so maddening.


It's just a matter of how you want to think of it. If you accept the fact that positions relate to modes, then it makes playing modal music easier, not harder. If you want to play an Ionian major tune, like Soldier's joy, play it in 1st position. If you want to play a Mixolydian tune, like Old Joe Clark or June apple, play it in second position. If you want to play a Dorian tune, like Scarborough Fair, play it in 3rd position. If you want to play an Aeolian tune, like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, play it in 4th position. Lydian tune, like the theme song for the TV show Meet George Jetson, play it in 12th position.

Lots of music is modal. Rather than torture yourself over the different intervals of the different modes, play the position that matches the mode of the tune and you don't have to think about anything, the note intervals are already correct. That's why so many diatonic instruments are touted as being easy to play/can't play a sour note, etc. Sure there are lot's of people on this list that can play chromatically, and can play D Ionian Major on their C harp, but it's easier to just play the tune in 1st position on a D harp though :0)

Peace and music,
Dave





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