[Harp-L] Some observations on 12th position on the diatonic

[Jim Rumbaugh <jrumbaug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Some observations on 12th position on the diatonic

If you have not tried 12th position, here's the sales pitch of why and where. Keep in mind, all my opinions are based on a "lazy man's approach" to 12th position

1) It's good for playing the major pentatonic scale.

2) I use it as an octave scale, starting on 5 draw, with a half octave below (down to 4 blow) and a half octave above (up to 10 blow). You can play all these notes with no bending

3) The root note is a draw note that allows you to be expressive. Compare that to 1st position, where the root note is a blow note. 

4) If you play the major pentatonic in 2nd position, your first note after that expressive 2 hole draw is a 3 draw bent a full step. If you don't want to bend in 2nd position, you gotta start on 6 blow, but then you've lost you're expressive root note.

5) When you play the major pentatonic in 1st position, the fifth scale tone below 4 blow is that same pesky 3 draw bent a full step. 

6) So from #3, #4 and #5, we can say, 12th is the position where you can be expressive on the root, play below the root, and above the octave with no bents notes

7) On tunes that modulate to the relative minor, like Georgia On My Mind,  you're set and ready to play in 3rd position.

That's it. There are some places, where 12th has an advantage over 1st, and 2nd when playing the major pentatonic scale. I still play most of my major pentatonic scales in 2nd position, but I'm enjoying using 12th more and more.