Re: [Harp-L] Vernacular of Harmonica

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Positions do not start or end anywhere.

A harmonica position is a relationships between:

1) the key of the harmonica

2) the key you're playing it in.

So if you use a C harmoncia to play in the key of G, you're playing in second position. It doesn't matter where on the harmonica you begin or end. Only key relationships matter in defining a position.

Scales don't make any difference to the identity of a position. By default, seven of the twelve positions have a modal scale formed by the notes to which the reeds are tuned. However, you can create a different scale by altering the pitches of the reeds. You can also, in some instances, omit notes that don't fit the underlying scale. 

For instance, some players use second position to play minor-scale melodies. They will bend Draw  down a semitone and, depending ont he the tune, may not need to do anything more. If the tune calls for it, they can create additional minor-scale notes (and avoid notes that don't fit) by a combination of bending and overbending.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, the Harmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool Community Music School


________________________________
From: Harmonicology [Neil Ashby] <harmonicology@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2014 8:29 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Vernacular of Harmonica


Using the C-Major harmonica for this example:

Would it be correct to state that the Mixylodian mode can start on any "G" but "Cross-Harp" starts _just_ on 2-draw hole?

If so then the Dorian mode can start on any "D" but does "Draw-Harp" start on the draw-1 hole _or_ the draw-4 hole _or_ either hole?

/Neil (" http://thebuskingproject.com/busker/2025 ")