re: why play in different positions

[alciere@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

What you practice depends on what you need and the time you have to 
practice. Each position has a different flavor. Knowing a few positions 
allows you to modulate (change keys). Most popular music modulates to a 
bridge, and frequently a break will modulate as well.If you want to play 
bebop on a diatonic, you better know your positions because every chord has 
a different scale. Granted this is pretty extreme 

When I practice I focus mostly on 2nd position. That's what I need the most. 
Lately I find I'm using a vartiation of 2nd, where I'm playing a major 
pentatonic scale instead of a blues scale.This same scale, when you start on 
a different note, is 5th position. With a C harp I'll use this scale to play 
Me and My Uncle in G, or start at a different note and use the same scale to 
play Little Wing in E minor. It's fun to switch from Fox Hunt to a major 
pentatonic jam ala the Allman Brothers. 

Using different positions can help you break out of a rut as well. Think 
outside the box. As Richard Hunter suggests, alternate tuned harps can work 
wonders for new sounds also- almost instantly. Same with a chromatic. Now 
imagine playing different positions on an alternate tune harp. 

Find out what you need to know to play your music. Most of us will only need 
a few different positions and all the tone and expression techniques we can 
get. But when you get bored with working on tongue blocking, try playing in 
a different position for a little while. It's fun. 

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