Re: [Harp-L] Playing in majors/minors

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

todd allen inquires:
> I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around what harp to use when the
> band calls out a song in minor's or major's.For example Ohio by Neil Young in D
> minor, or Dancing in the moon light by Van the man in F minor. I typically go
> right to cross harp (2nd position) for most everything we do, if that doesn't
> sound right I just go through every harp in my case until I find the key that's
> least offensive. I have looked at circles of fifths and other charts but don't
> get why  they just don't include majors and minors in the typical harmonica
> position charts, I guess I just don't get it. do they even relate to the key of
> harp or is it more about the notes you play?
> Todd
>    

Allen had it right, Todd, try 3rd position (root on draw 4; watch out 
for draw 3 and draw 7).

What you really need to know is how to select the right harp for any 
minor key song. You already have the tool -- the Circle of Fifths. I 
assume you know how to use the Circle of Fifths to find the right harp 
in 2nd position for a song in a given major key (go 1 step 
counterclockwise; e.g., to play in the key of E major in second 
position, use an A harp). The correct key for 3rd position is two steps 
counterclockwise instead of one. So to play in the key of Em (E minor), 
choose your D harp. Print out a Circle of fifths chart and keep it in 
your harp kit. People often advise memorizing the Circle of Fifths. I 
think you will do that naturally if you refer to it often enough (I 
don't think it's necessary to make it a big monolithic project).

Here's a little trick I use to quickly arrive at the correct harp for 
playing in 3rd position (so long as you have memorized all the 2nd 
position keys, which you really should do if you haven't already -- 
picking a 2nd position harp should be AUTOMATIC). First I think of the 
correct harp to play the major of the minor key in question in 2nd 
position, then I think of what harp I'd use to play THAT major key in 
2nd position. So in my earlier example, if we want to play in Em, I'd 
first think of the harp I'd use to play 2nd position E major in -- an A 
harp, right? Then I ask myself what key I'd use to play A major in 2nd 
position -- guess what, a D harp! So I'd use that same D harp in 3rd 
position to play in Em. This way you are using the same relationships 
found in the Circle of Fifths, just arrived at in a more inductive way, 
sort of stepping though it in your mind, where it will begin to reside 
forever.

Todd, my final word of advice to any budding diatonic harmonicist is to 
run, don't walk, to your nearest book store and get your copy of our own 
Winslow Yerxa's superb book, "Harmonica For Dummies." For half the price 
of a decent harp, you will have an excellent step-by-step introduction 
into the world of diatonic harmonicas from the most elementary issues 
down to the deepest details. If you retain only a small fraction of the 
insights and wisdom in that book, you will be well on your way to 
becoming "one" with your favorite instrument. Then its "practice, 
practice, practice..."

Go for it and let us know how you do. :-)

Michelle