[Harp-L] RE: exlpaining position playing

[Dan Hazen <bluesmandan76@xxxxxxxxx>]

I would explain it in terms of chords, at least for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and
5th positions.

For a C harmonica:  A C harmonica is set up with C major triad, Em#5 triad,
and Gsus6 triad in the blow notes
It has Dsus6 triad, G major triad and G7 4 note chord and G9 5 note chord,
Bdim triad, Dm triad, and Fmajor doublestop in the draw notes (stopping at
the 7 draw)

C E G C E G C E G C
D G B D F  A B D  F A

You play the "position" based first on the root chord for the song, and
secondly based on other chords in the song.

1. A typical folk song is played in first position, because it will use C,
F, and G chords. The minor chords (Am, Dm, Em) can be played either in part
or in whole, or arpeggiated.

2. A typical major blues song will use the chords G7, C7, and D7. The G7
chord is holes 2-5 draw. The C7 can be played in part (have to use 3 draw
bend or 6 OB to get the Bb) and the D7 can be played using a flat 3rd on
the 5 draw (arpeggiations allow 2 draw bend or 5 OB)

3. A typical minor blues song will use Dm, Gm, Am. You've got the Dm on 4-6
draw. Gm is 2-4 draw with the 3 draw bent. Am is played with the CE
doublestops, or with the GCE triads if it is an Am7 (inversion dropping the
root).

4. A minor keyed song in Am will typically use the chords Am, G, Dm, Em and
maybe a C. All readily played or arpeggiated on a C harmonica in 4th
position, since Am is the relative minor of C major.

5. A rock or blues song in Em can be played in 5th position, using the 2-3
hole blow doublestop as home base, and avoiding the F on 5 draw. The Em7
chord is easily arpeggiated by avoiding the C and F notes. In fact a
typical rock or blues solo in an Em song on guitar might be in the D
pentatonic (D E F# G A) which plays easily on the first 4 draw holes with
bends.

*AND LAST!!!!   Here's a neat (but undoubtedly controversial on this forum)
approach: The chords and licks available on a given harp will greatly
affect the "feel" of the song (how happy or sad it is) First is happiest.
Then 2nd (happy blues). 3rd starts to get sad. 4th is sadder. 5th is the
saddest sounding. How happy or sad is the given song on a scale of 1 to 5?
That's the position you play in.*