Re: playing "Major" in 3rd pos.

[Alec Drachman <alec@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jp Pagan wrote:

>
> this raises another question (not "begs," "raises" ;) -- how to play major
> key tunes in 3rd position.

Third position is Dorian mode which differs from a major scale by having a
flatted 3rd and 7th. Since you normally play cross harp which is Mixolydian
mode, you are already used to having the flatted 7th which is the key note in
a dominant 7th chord. So you really just need to change the flatted 3rd back
to a major third. In the key of C, that means you need to play E natural
instead of E flat. So on a Bb harp, you will need to play 5 OB instead of 5
draw and play the 9 blow with a half step bend to get the E in the upper
octave. If you don't bend it, though, you will get an F which is still in the
major scale.

In terms of what to avoid, don't play the 5 draw or 9 draw (both E flats) if
you want to outline the C major chord. Of course, that note is fine if you are
playing blues or minor pentatonic type rock or blues. In fact playing a minor
3rd over a major chord (or even playing in between the two) is one of the
defining sounds of blues and blues based rock n' roll.

Hope this helps a little.


- --
Alec Drachman
http://www.bluecats.org