[Harp-L] When guitar key and Harp key are not in sync

[Venky Ramakrishna <jazzyvenky@xxxxxxxxx>]

Once or twice a year I get surprises jamming with guitarists and since
you do both so well- here's my question. The guitarist has gigged with
Steve Guyger and Dennis Gruenling so many years yet could not do a Dm
tune I called for. I was playing through a Lee Oskar Dm Nat minor and
harmonic minor harp in the same key. The guitarist was playing
acoustic guitar and had no capo on. But were not in sync. So I begged
him to double check his tuning. He said he was in tune.

Guess what I figured half way down that song- he was in F because my
Bb harp worked so well. So how off was he or is it that Dm and Bb are
related?

Also, a second blues tune swing in E did not work with an A harp.
Again a Bb harp saved the night. What position playing, if any, was I
doing?

Thanks

Venky