RE: [Harp-L] Positional Thinking

[Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>]

What about when there is a 6 minor chord in the song? Do you think of 6th position? Or a 2 or 2 minor? Well, 2nd position? or a 3 minor? 3rd position? or a b7th chord? This method seems a bit confusing to me. I guess it goes back to how we learn and develop habits and I certainly have had to retrain myself because I learned a bad habit. I don't mean to pass judgment on this thought process and say it is bad, I was referring to other bad habits that I have had to correct. As for me, if I'm playing in 2nd pos and the song calls for a 4 chord I just know where the root for the 4 is as well as the other notes for the triad or alterations of a 4 chord such as 4sus or 4 minor; where the notes are and/or if they are even available. Same goes for all chords. I know from practicing harmonizing the major scales where the chords and notes are. Same goes for 3rd or 1st positions and so on. Practicing arpeggios will get you there. I guess I just don't get it. However I am always open for anything useful.
Regards,
Buck
 
> Date: Sat, 17 May 2014 22:37:24 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Positional Thinking
> From: michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx
> To: bluesmandan76@xxxxxxxxx
> CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> 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...
> >