Re: [Harp-L] Position Question

["michael rubin" <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Positions refer to the relationship of how many fifths higher the
tonic note is to the key of the harp. Zero fifths higher is first
position, 1 fifth higher is second position, etc. It does not matter
if you are playing major or minor, what matters is the tonic.

Am only sometimes uses the scale that is relative to C.  There are
multiple scales that sound good in Am, all of them have the tonic A
but not all of them use the notes that are in the C major scale.

For each note played, the audience hears its relationship to the
tonic(distance of notes between the tonic and the note played)   In my
opinion, it is wrong to think of Am as the same thing as C major, even
if you are using the same notes.  The note C in the key of C major
sounds like Do, (from Do re mi) the C note in AM minor sounds like Mi
lowered one half step, Meh or Ma depending on the solfege (Do re mi
stuff) system you learned.  Do and Meh sound very different to the
listener.

You are correct,  the key of Cm on a C harp is first position and can
be played beautifully with or without overblows.

Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On 9/22/08, Scott Blair <scottablair@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I have a question about the correct labeling of positions.  Assume a Richter-tuned diatonic in C.
>
> I get that the positions are based on the circle of fifths, which are major keys.  I have also read that positions and modes should not be confused.
>
> Recently, there have been discussions regarding fourth and fifth positions.  When I look at and listen to the song examples, these seem to be minor key tunes.
>
> My question is this:  Shouldn't a song in Am be considered first position since it is the relative minor of C, and a song in Em would be second position since it is the relative minor of G?  Rather than Am being called fourth position and Em being called fifth position?  It seems that fourth position should be A Major and fifth position should be E Major.  If not, then would playing in Cm on a C Major harp be considered first position?
>
> Is there a definitive answer here, or is this an area where people disagree about the terminology?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Scott Blair
>
> PS SPAH was great.  It was terrific to meet so many excellent harp players, of all types of music.
>
>
>
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