[Harp-L] Minor vs major question

[Arthur Jennings]

You can also play Db minor on an A harp, in fifth position.

> On Jan 6, 2017, at 5:59 AM, Dave Watson via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> So at a jam last night the singer called for D flat minor.  (Odd 
> coincidence -- yesterday I practiced a bit playing minor in 2nd which  I hadn't done 
> in a long time).  I had to look at my little cheat sheet I  carry and it 
> shows an F sharp harp in second or a B in third -- neither of  which I own.  So 
> I sat out. I have an E and could have played in 4th but I  need to practice 
> that in the privacy of my basement before I play it  on stage.  Thanks for 
> the input.
> Dave Watson
> Alexandria, Va. 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 1/6/2017 4:35:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> sebastien.fremal at xxxxx writes:
> 
> You can  play Bb minor scale on any harp, but there are harps on which it's
> more  easy than others :) To play minor, my favourite position is the 3rd (4
> +5 5  +6 6 +6° +7 8 for the natural minor scale, 4 +5 5 +6 6 +6°7° 8 for  
> the
> harmonic minor). That would be on a Ab harp.
> Another cool position,  and which does not require overnotes, is the 4th :
> 3'' 3 +4 4 +5 5 +6 6 for  the natural minor scale, 3'' 3 +4 4 +5 5 6' 6 for
> the harmonic minor.  That's basically playing in first position, but you
> play the relative minor  scale instead of the major one. That would be on a
> Db harp.
> In cross  position, scales are : 2 3'' 3' +4 4 +4° 5 +6 (natural minor) and
> 2 3'' 3'  +4 4 +4° +5° +6 (harmonic minor).
> 
> Have fun ;)
> 
> Sébastien  Frémal
> 
> ​
>