Re: [Harp-L] Re: Modes, keys and positions (John F. Potts) (John Kerkhoven)

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Positions on harmonicas are not physical locations like they are on guitars and violins. Nor are they sequences of blows and draws.

On a harmonica the position is: 
the relationship 
between the key of the harmonica 
and the key of the piece of music played on that harmonica.

If a harmonica is tuned to the key of C and you use it to play a song that is also in the key of C, then you're playing in first position. Doesn't matter where you go on the harmonica or what sequence of blows and draws you use, it's still first position.

The rest of the positions are determined using the circle of fifths. Five notes up from C is G. If you use that C harp to play in the key of G, you're in second position - again, it doesn't matter where you go on the harp.

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Wed, 1/13/10, geoff atkins <geoffatkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


OK , really dumb question, please excuse my ignorance, but
is a "position" not a physical location, as in:
"position your lips to blow on hole 4"
but rather the sequence of blowing and drawing as one moves across the harp?