Re: [Harp-L] RE: exlpaining position playing

[Arthur Jennings <timeistight@xxxxxxxxx>]

Is 12th position a little bit happier than 1st or a whole lot sadder than
5th?

Also, there's no "G" in D major pentatonic; it's spelled D E F# A B.


On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 1:10 PM, Dan Hazen <bluesmandan76@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 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.*
>



-- 
Arthur Jennings
http://www.timeistight.com