Re: [Harp-L] 12th position

[Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Big Rob, trust me now and believe me later, but the reason I brought it up was because I am lazy. On that particular note, either note will work. The natural OR the flat. Like the tune "Walkin after midnight". I hear people play it and on the phrase:  "Cryin on my pillow", there is a note that most people hit as a natural. It is hit at :  in, my, & low. Then the note is hit another 3 times. Now most people don't notice it, but the Patsy Cline version has these notes 1/2 step up. Sooo, on a diatonic, the way I get them is to place a wind saver on the #5 draw reed. This allows me to bend the #5 blow reed DOWN. 

This would be hard to do on a Richter tuned. And I play about 95.9% in second position. What I'm getting at in a roundabout way is that (as you know) every tune has one or two critical notes. And if you don't hit them, you loose the flavor of the tune. You don't on 'Peg' and you don't on 'Walkin', but on some you do. When I started playing doo-wop in 59, I found that I was now able to do tunes that heretofore required two harps, because of the bridges (like Londonderry Aire), now only required one. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some kind of purist. Far from it.  

As for you, you know that you are one of my favorite players. Lots of times at the supper club I will ask myself "How would the big Etruscan handle this tune?". And while spah has limited resources, and unable to provide backup for everyone, and usually re-cycles the same players fairly often, mainly because real pros can perform regardless, I have no problem listening to you, Madcat, Rich Hunter, and a few others all day. Last year Madcat  came within 150 miles of my home and I was tickled pink to go up and see/hear him.   

On Jun 24, 2014, at 2:31 PM, Rob Paparozzi wrote:
> 
> 
> On 6/24/2014 2:26 PM, Joseph Leone wrote:
>> Aww, I wasn't doin that. I'm sorry. I know that when i have trouble with some notes, I confuse the note by playing a bunch of other notes around it. Don did that a lot.
>> 
>> smo-joe
>> 
>> On Jun 24, 2014, at 1:50 PM, chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>> 
>>> Ahh..so now we need the 4 overblow..heck i'm picking up my chromatic,-))
>>> 
>>> Thanks for 1/2 steppin on my toe,-) joe!
>>> 
>>> Rob
>>> 
>>> Excuse my brevity,
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> On Jun 24, 2014, at 1:32 PM, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> The only problem with second position is the note for the word 'You're' in the phrase: "It's YOU're Irish heart I'm after". With second, the note is played as a natural. in reality it's supposed to be a flat.
>>>> 
>>>> joey leone (the doo-wop cop)
>>>> 
>>>> On Jun 24, 2014, at 1:05 PM, Rob Paparozzi wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> For sure! you are right Madcat,-) Don was amazingly melodic especially in that upper octave where most don't venture!,-)
>>>>> 
>>>>> I decided to do "Peg of My Heart" in 2nd on a Country Tuned....whew... much easier,-)
>>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiAyLwqVmyY
>>>>> 
>>>>> But, getting back to 12th, yes it's great for songs with the Maj 7th ala "There will Never be Another You",,,,Sandy Weltman recorded a super version of this one btw....
>>>>> 
>>>>> Chris M's demo of Piedmont in 12th is superb and what a tone and great Vibrato he had...miss him...
>>>>> 
>>>>> You CAN tho get VERY Bluesy in 12th but I have never heard anyone come even close to this playing some amazing Bluesy, Soulful licks in 12th.... I posted this a few years ago on youtube to show my students. Howard's opening lick is jaw dropping...even the 1st 12 or so notes starting from a draw 9 down to a 6 draw with some cool blow bend, Draw bends and a 6 ob in between let you KNOW you are listening to the amazing Mr Levy! The song is NOT Blues Changes more of a Rock Gospel vibe BUT those are Blues licks in 12th with Masterful execution! (The song is in C and Howard's on a G harp)
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Wbx5adQwo
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> enjoy
>>>>> Rob Paparozzi
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> On 6/24/2014 12:31 PM, Peter Madcat Ruth wrote:
>>>>>> The first guy I ever heard playing in 12th position was Don Les.  He was playing PEG OF MY HEART which is impossible to play in any other position on a regularly tuned diatonic harmonica without using over blows.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Peter Madcat Ruth
>>>>>> Musician - Grammy Award Winner
>>>>>> madcat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> www.madcatmusic.net
>>>>>> www.youtube.com/user/petermadcatruth
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Jun 24, 2014, at 12:03 PM, John Kerkhoven <solo_danswer@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> A big advantage of 12th is with songs that have a major 7th.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Howard Levy explains this nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcnbwyYdwDo
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> John
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I’ve been listening to Chris Michalek’s YouTube video playing Piedmont style blues in 12th position.  He is playing a “B” harp in the key of “E”.  I picked up my “A” harmonica and could play the same notes in 2nd position.  My question, what’s the advantage/disadvantage of 12th position over 2nd position in this style music.  Eighty percent of my playing is already in 2nd position, so it seems less confusing to just stay with that position rather than learning the note layout in 12th.
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Best,
>>>>> Rob Paparozzi
>>>>> 
>>>>> Rob's Webpage:
>>>>> http://www.robpaparozzi.com/
>> 
>> 
> 
> -- 
> Best,
> Rob Paparozzi
> 
> Rob's Webpage:
> http://www.robpaparozzi.com/
>