[Harp-L] Re: How come?

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A standard F harp is fairly high pitched and tends to sound a bit  
squeaky in the middle and upper register when playing in 3rd  
position, but I once recorded a version of Dylan's "Maggie's Farm"  
like that (no longer available). F in 1st position can be heard in a  
folk style on "The Dying Truckdriver" from Ry Cooder's CD "My Name Is  
Buddy", played by Mike Seeger. Much 1st position blues harmonica  
utilizes the high blow bends and these can be difficult to control at  
such a high pitch (and they're painfully squeaky!). Low F and low E  
would work better for me in 1st & 3rd positions.

Sam Myers recorded his original Version  of "Sleeping In The Ground"  
using 1st position on a Bb harp, but Bb isn't every guitarist's  
favorite key, which may account for the fact that you don't hear it  
so often. I frequently use a G in 1st position, in fact it's probably  
my favorite key for that style. You can hear an example here (the  
harp solo, not the accompaniment):

http://www.stevebaker.de/index.php/upload?type=3&page=download&id=149

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de