[Harp-L] Re: Spanish Phyrgian Mode

[MilwHarmonica@xxxxxxx]

Hello, Jim Alciere
 
I'll guess at the answer to your question, "what position is the Spanish  
Phyrgian Mode on a diatonic Richter system harp?" Maybe Winslow or another  
expert can explain it better than I can.
 
I'm not familiar with the term, "Spanish Phyrgian mode," but I do know that  
the phyrgian mode on a key of C 
Richter system (Marine Band or Special 20-type) 10-hole harmonica would be  
the 5th position, or E phyrgian on a C harp (holes 5-8, no bending or overblows 
 needed, E-E).  The phyrgian mode is popular in Spanish music.
 
If you need another key phyrgian, use a harmonica with the same key  
signature as the phyrgian mode. That is, if you need an F# phyrgian mode, use a  D 
harmonica. The relative major ('do") key is always a major 3rd below the "mi"  
starting note of the phyrgian. D major (D-D) and F# phyrgian (F#-F#) both have 2 
 sharps in their key signature (F# and C#), so they are "relatives", with the 
 same key signature.
 
The phyrgian mode, or 5th position phyrgian, will always be in the same  
place on any major key 10-hole Richter system harp: holes 5-8, no bending or  
overblowing required.
 
John Broecker
 
 
 



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