re: harmonica positions

[alciere@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Some harp layouts show 3rd position as minor, others major. Which is it? 
Neither! Harp is traditionally thought of as a blues instrument. Blues has a 
non traditional scale.The guitar and the piano will be playing major chords, 
so people refer to this as a major scale, even though it's actualy a blues 
scale. 

D major scale 

D E F# G A B C# D 

You don't get the F# or the C# in third position. 

Blues scale in D 

D  F  G  Ab  A  C  D 

4D 5D 6B 6Db 6D 7B 8D 

The blues scale works nicely-only one bend. 

Natural minor scale in D 

D  E  F  G A Bb C  D 

Works sort of but where's the Bb? 

D Dorian Mode 

D E  F G A B C D 

the B in on the 7D 

Dorian mode sounds minor. It works well with minor blues. Junior Wells plays 
this position a lot. It works well with a lot of psychedelic rock like the 
Doors. 

3rd position is fun. Practicing this position is a good way to break out of 
a rut. 

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.mp3.com/spaceanimals