RE: [Harp-L] Third position

["Robert Vivona" <ravivona@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve,

I can't answer your original question about third position, but I just
wanted to comment that I went through the same process of trying to work out
harp parts for a bunch of songs, most without harp in them (mine was in a
female led blues/R&B band that I still play in). At the time, I was just
starting to play with other people and was not all that confident about my
playing. I'm not sure about your current level, but I'm guessing from your
post that you're somewhere in the same place I was.

Let me just say that this was one of the best experiences for improving my
harp playing I've ever gone through. It really jumped me a level or two (or
three). Stick with it, continue to be brave (I know I needed to be several
times ;-) ands enjoy the ride. It will definitely pay dividends.

Bob

> 
> Since I recently began playing harp with a guitarist/singer, I have
> discovered that third position works better for some songs. Unfortunately,
> I'm not very good in third position. I can play third on minor blues
> songs, by ear, but I am struggling to find much in third on non-minor
> songs. Is it acceptable to play the minor blues scale over a major scale
> in third position? I am just not getting the feel for it.
>    What has been interesting, though, is that I find myself using 13
> different harps in the course of a three-hour night of playing. What I'm
> doing right now is not at a very high level, but I'm in the process of
> trying to find harp parts on about 60 songs. Since I'm not the world's
> greatest musician, that process has been a challenge, figuring out fills
> and little solos and trying to fit harp into this acoustic sound in a
> tasteful way. Sometimes, the challenge is to make myself play less on a
> song.
>   Steve Webb
>   Harpin' along in Minnesota