[Harp-L] Changing Harps +3rd Pos+"Building Harmonica Technique"

[Dan <billybudd1313@xxxxxxxxx>]

Recent threads (tone on bends, changing harps etc.) and Iceman's post below got me to thinking.  It also just so happens that I found my copy of David Barret's (sp?) "Building Harmonica Technique" Book.  So I guess this is a multi-thread post, but it ties together, honest.
   
  1. I change harps all the time.  Sometimes for the sound, sometimes to vary while playing with a second harp player, sometimes just because it's fun.  Initially, however, I began doing the switch to help solidify my ability to play 1st and 3rd pos. blues.
   
  2. Iceman mentions a great exercise for learning third pos.  Before I started forcing myself to play more 3rd onstage, I practiced it at home.  It's really pretty simple.  Listen to all the same 2nd pos. recordings  but practice in 3rd.  As an "ear" player, it made sense to me just to "find" the licks in 3rd.
   
  3. "The binding that holding this post together"  In 1995 or 6 I met a fellow in Blacksburg VA who is known on this list as WVA Bob.  He told me to buy a book called "Building Harmonica Technique.  It's been years, but I just found it again.  Looking back, many of my philosophies (like "it takes time", or "don't compromise on tone" or "find your 3rd position licks")  came pretty much directly from that book.
   
  Many guys sing D.B's praises on this list.  Looking back, somewhat happy with my progress to date, It's striking that one guy and one book had so many good ideas and philosophies.
   
  Dan G.
   
  Message: 22        
   Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:15:29 -0500
   From: icemanle@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Change harmonicas during a solo?

Try doing this with a "D" harmonica played in second position and low 
"G" harmonica played in 3rd.
 
Now, play an idea drawn from the blues scale on the "D" in second 
position, switch to the "G" harmonica and play the same notes, using 3rd 
position. 
 
Fascinating way to learn 3rd position playing.
 
The Iceman