re: positions, minor key, and chromatics

[alciere@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

It's easy to get lost trying to remember what harp goes where and what key 
does what.If you're playing unfamiliar songs, you're going to make some 
mistakes. 

First, practice 3rd position and 5th position until you don't have to think 
about them. Note that I haven't done this yet. 

If a song is in a major key, try playing cross harp. That'll give you a 
blues scale.. If it doesn't sound right, keep the same harp and try 5th 
position. This will give you most of the notes in a major pentatonic scale. 

A lot of minor key blues use the same notes as major key blues. The chords 
are different, but the tune is the same. So if it's a minor key, try cross 
harp(2nd position). If that doesn't sound right try 3rd position. 

If you can find an understanding bunch of musicians, go nuts. Experiment. 
Play less notes that sound awful, and play more notes that sound good. 

The John Popper style of harp playing fits in a lot of new rock blues. 

Rainbow Jimmy
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