Re: [Harp-L] Key of ? Notes to play?

[Rick Dempster <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tony; the answers to your specific questions are 'yes' in both cases.
However I would qualify that by saying that all the notes on the instrument
are 'OK' in either first or second position. The best way to understand
this is to try playing simple tunes in both positions. For example, 'Baa
Baa Black sheep' will work in first position without any difficulties. In
second position, you will most likely find that the note that falls on the
word 'You' as in 'Have YOU any wool'; will not be readily available to you
in the middle octave. This wouldn't matter if you were playing a blues, as
that note (the major 7th, or F# on a C harp in second position) is not a
fundamental part of the blues scale. The nearest you will get is an 'F' ,
or the flat 7th, which is perfect for a blues.
The best way of understanding is by doing. Just try every tune you can
think of in both positions. Use your ear, and forget tabs. It seems like
hard work, but you will learn faster.
Good luck.

On 3 December 2012 08:47, Tony Stephens <tnysteph@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Ok question the song is in the key of C so 1st position the notes CEG? So
> could you use these 3 notes for a song & be ok?
> If you play 2nd position G would the holes be GBD? Could you use these 3
> notes and be ok?
> I hope to talk to Matthew Smart tomorrow by phone on this one.
> Trying to learn the flow of the notes to the key of the song. I hope that
> is the right way to say it. Just trying to learn. Thanks Tony Stephens
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>



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Rick Dempster
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