[Harp-L] Summertime on a diatonic

["Mick Zaklan" <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>]

   I was lucky enough study privately with Howard Levy for a few months back
in the early ' 80's.  "Summertime" was one of the first tunes we worked on.
I remember Howard told me that he thought the tune was best suited for 4th
position.  He liked to start the tune off on the 8 blow and then make a
soulful bend on it and slide over to the 7 blow.
   Myself, I like it in 5th because you usually hear it in A minor and I
like to play on the low F harp.  Rather than have to hold an overblow on the
5 hole for the "and the cotton is high" part, I'll get that note down low on
the 2 hole half step draw bend or the 9 hole half step blow bend.  What I
like about this position is that it kind of resolves to cross harp at the
end of the tune.
   Actually, while I'm driving around all day delivering stuff at work, I
like to play the tune in E minor on my low F harp.  That would be 6th
position.  Tune starts off on the 2nd hole draw half step bend.  You have to
make an adjustment here and there, but I think it really sounds neat in that
position.

Mick Zaklan