Re: [Harp-L] Which harmonica key to use?

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

Nothing beats getting the key from another musician or from 
a chart before the song starts.  However, if the band is 
already playing, I suggest the following.

Songs begin with a variety of chords and notes. For this 
reason, the first chord or note of a verse is NOT a reliable 
guide to the key  However, the vast majority of songs END on 
the tonic chord (the chord with the same name as the key) 
and on the note "do" (the note with the same name as the 
key).

If you can recognize the final cadence (the last few notes 
and chords at the end of a verse), then you can find the 
(cross) harp with that last note of the song on hole one 
draw or the last chord on the holes 1-2-3 draw.

If you are going to play straight or first position, then 
find the harp with the last note and chord of the verse on 
holes 1-2-3 blow.

Beginners who don't read music and are unfamiliar with music 
theory already depend on what they hear rather than what 
they see.  For this reason, I think that they will find it 
simple and straight forward to match a note or chord from 
the song to the same note or chord on a harp.

This can be practiced with recordings. The more you practice 
the quicker you will find the correct harp.

Because I play guitar, I can look at the guitarist's hand 
to find the key.  However, I think that it would be 
extremely impractical for a harp beginner.

Vern