Re: Fw: [Harp-L] 2nd position only useful in blues? was changes inlattitudes

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

While it is true that learning blues in 2nd is very common,  don't be a 
self-limiter with a cliche' d mind set about this  position.
 
Go back and revisit 2nd position - however, this time, do not bend up and  
down into notes. Do not go for head shakes on 4/5. Do not approach this position 
 in a "blues" or "harmonicaeeee" style. Begin to learn where the notes live 
as  solid notes, including all your bends created through traditional  
techniques.
 
For instance, instead of 5 hole OB or 5 hole country tuning, find this note  
in 2 hole first inhale bend or even 9 hole exhale bend. Understand the  three 
octaves of note choices. Learn how to transpose up or down octaves when in  
the middle of a melodic line. Make conscious musical choices in how and when to  
transpose to best reflect the musical idea - (or really, to second best 
reflect  the musical idea - for instance, if you don't OB on 5 or use country 
tuning,  alter the musical line on "Georgia on My Mind" with octave transposition 
at this  point in the song - how and when you do it is up to your own musical 
sensibility  and knowledge of choice). Of course, this also will turn one in 
the direction of  becoming more of a "real" musician with the knowledge that is 
gained on this  path.
 
The Iceman
 
 
In a message dated 10/6/2008 1:19:58 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx writes:

While  second position is not for everyone, it seems to be very popular as a 
primary  playing position in a far wider area than the blues, even when its 
default  scale doesn't fit the underlying chords or scales. Some players are 
very good  at getting around this fact by discretion and note substitution, even 
without  using overblows, valves, etc.




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