Re: RE: [Harp-L] 5th position

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gary Lehmann wrote:
> I am guessing so someone correct me:
> C major harp gives:
> 
> C	1st position	Ionian
> G	2nd	"		Mixolydian
> D	3rd	"		Dorian
> A	4th	"		Aeolian
> E	5th	"		Phrygian
> B	6th	"		Locrian
> F	12th	"		Lydian

It's really tempting to equate positions and modes, but it's not 
that simple.  If the harmonica was only capable of producing notes 
in the major scale to which it is ostensibly tuned, and all the 
tones in the scale across a given range -- like solo tuning without 
bends -- this would be practically true.  But the truth is that 
through other techniques -- bending, overbending, etc. -- other 
notes are possible.  

It is very true that the positions outlined above translate most 
easily to these modes, particularly in the middle octave.  But, for 
example, simply because I'm playing in second position doesn't mean 
I'm playing in mixolydian mode.  I could be overblowing the 5 for 
the major 7th and be playing in ionian mode, or I could be bending 
the 3 and playing in Dorian mode.  

It's also an oversimplification to refer to a song being in "a key" 
since nearly every song has chord changes that move through other 
keys.  So playing a I-IV-V in G on a C harp means playing over 
changes in G, C and D, 2nd, 1st, and 3rd positions.  There may or 
may not be mode changes accompanying the progression of chords.  

I don't know about the rest of the players out there, but I don't do 
too many tunes that are written in phrygian mode.  But I do play in 
12th position on a couple of tunes, remembering to draw bend the 3 
and overblow the 6 to get the 4th notes and to draw bend the two 
hole to get the low octave tonic for the major scale (ionian mode).

-tim

Tim Moyer
Working Man's Harps
http://www.workingmansharps.com/