Re: [Harp-L] Positional Thinking

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Certainly.  I have talked with many players who do the same and I teach
this method.
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Sat, May 17, 2014 at 10:15 PM, Dan Hazen <bluesmandan76@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Sometimes when I'm playing, I think of the "position" that is appropriate
> for the chord I'm playing. For instance, in a standard blues tune, the I
> Chord is 2nd position.... the IV chord is 1st position, and the V chord is
> 3rd position. For minor blues, the I Chord is 3rd position, the IV chord is
> 2nd position, the V chord is 4th position (relative minor).
>
> I think of those positions for each change, and it helps me play a little
> more freely over the changes using different licks than I might otherwise.
> As you know, each position has its own feel and particular licks, so this
> approach adds a little variety... That is, you could approach a standard
> blues, for instance, ONLY thinking about 2nd position licks... which is
> what I think most people probably do.  But if you think of the position
> that fits the chord changes... then you have 2nd, 1st, and 3rd position
> licks in mind as you move through the song. It makes my playing a little
> more varied, I think. For me, it mentally "feels" like playing guitar and
> moving my hand to a different pentatonic position for each chord... almost
> like changing harmonicas for each chord (but not quite).
>
> I'm wondering: does anyone else do this? Do you ever approach each chord in
> terms of the position it corresponds to on the harp... and mentally make a
> "switch"? I've never heard anyone express it in these terms before, and I
> think it might be a useful approach for some...
>