[Harp-L] re: a couple of questions--minor key

[jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx]

There's minor keys like Little Wing by Hendrix, where the subdominant
chord is minor. So if you're playing in the key of E minor, the
subdominant chord is A minor. Minor key harmonicas work well for these
type of songs. Playing in 5th position  (play E minor on a C harp)
works well too and it's easy--start on the 2 blow.

There is also Dorian, where if you're playing in E min the subdominant
chord would be an A chord--not A minor. That's when you use 3rd
position (although many people use 2nd to do this). If you were
playing in E minor you'd use a D harp.This involves hitting the 2 bend
and the three bend and it's a little tricky, but you can cheat and
just start on the 4 draw. 4,5,6 draw is egb --an E minor chord, then
you can play the 123 draw--an A chord. Most blues are in Dorian. A
minor is a great harp key because the G harp is so low so you can just
hit that 1 draw with some vibrato and it sounds massive. D minor is
fun too, because you can play it on the chromatic without using the
button--and again, if you have a 16 holer, you can get some crazy low
sounds.

Finally, there is harmonic minor which is very cool--think Hava Nagila.

Here's some extra information.:

A Lee Oskar natural minor harp is labeled in 2nd position.. Don't buy
an A minor harp thinking you need it to play in E minor.

You can take Lee Oskar reed plates, put an E minor inhale plate on a
regular A harp and you have an E minor Dorian harp.

A Lee Oskar harmonic minor is labeled in first position.

I put together a Dorian harp but I don't use it that much. I'm not
good at 3rd position, but I prefer it to the Dorian harp. I'm not sure
why.
-- 
Rainbow Jimmy
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