Re: [Harp-L] My explanation of 5th and 12th position for Steve Hellerman

[Jesse <jvboden@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Jim, thanks for the straight up answer on what you are calling position
12. if I understand you, then position 12 should be very easy to remember
for any blues player - in second position you use the harmonica that
corresponds to the IV chord in the I IV V progression and in 12th position
you would use the harp that corresponds to the V chord . if you are playing
blues harp and don't know what I IV V means and what it is in every key, you
gotta take a minute to learn that before you venture out of the house with
your harmonicas. no way around that.

 I know scales, the circle of fifths and how to figure this formula out and
express it in at least two other ways - but why not keep it simple. knowing
what key harp to grab and where to start playing is all most of us need.
will try this position 12 after morning tea.

On Thu, Mar 31, 2011 at 5:33 AM, Jim Rumbaugh <jrumbaug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Hellerman, Steven asked,"Can someone explain fifth position to those of us
> who don't know much theory " and "And what about this twelfth position I
> keep hearing about?"
>
> If you are playing a MINOR SCALE tune. 5th position can be fun.  Start on 2
> blow and work your way up.
>
> Now it's more complex than that, but that will get you started. If the song
> key is Eminor, grab a C harp. Grab a harp that id 2 full steps lower than
> the minor key.
>
> 12th position is fun for major scale tunes.  Start on 5 draw and work your
> way up.
>
> Yes, there's more to it than what I just said, but that will get you
> started. I like 12th for what I call "pretty tunes and old tunes with lots
> of chords". I also call it "revese cross" (my term) because the harp you
> grab is just the revese of cross.  In cross harp you grab a C harp for a G
> tune, in 12th, you grab G harp for a C tune.
>
> If you and when you want more details, either I or someone will be happy to
> give them to you.
>
> Jim Rumbaugh
>



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