[Harp-L] 5th position

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Mick,
	I agree with you that 5th position is a comfortable major key blues  
position,  The blues scale is essentially a minor pentatonic scale  
with an extra note (flat 5) that is played over major chords, so 5th  
position is fine for major key blues, even though you can't get a  
"blue third" (quarter tone flat).
	If the chords are minor, a true minor third (half step flat) is  
required, which is certainly no problem in 5th position.
	While a minor pentatonic scale can be played over major blues  
chords, playing a major scale over minor chords sounds awful.  This  
is often the problem with using 3d position for minor key material  
where the IV chord is minor (as it usually is).  In 3d position you  
have to bend the 3 draw a half step to get flat 6 (minor 3d of the IV  
chord).  In the middle register of 3d position the 6 is draw 7 which  
can't be bent down a half step (at least I can't do it), so that note  
has to be avoided which isn't always easy to do consistently when  
improvising at fast tempo.  So, I prefer 5th for minors and it is  
certainly comfortable for major key blues, too.
	JP