[Harp-L] Positions Modes and the Harp_L List.

[Michael Rubin]

Yes, it is a transposition tool. Play G harmonic minor on a C harp, move
your mouth the same way on a Bb harp and play F harmonic minor and both are
second position.

If you think you are playing in the Mixolydian mode simply because you are
i. The key of G on a C harp, you are ljkely incorrect.

On Sat, Oct 27, 2018 at 1:35 PM Laurent Vigouroux <
laurent.vigouroux at xxxxx> wrote:

> Hello Michael and all
>
> Looks like there is an ambiguity about the term of positions.
> From your previous email, I've understood that by position you mean
> playing in a certain key on a given harp (for example playing in A on a C
> harp is fourth position).
> If correct, this is more of a transposing scheme than anything, and is
> totally relevant to me. This is what I was referring to when I wrote
> "playing in C dorian on a Bb harp is equivalent to playing D dorian on a C
> harp"
> It is useful indeed if a player is not totally fluent on Eb dorian for
> example.
>
> But I'm not sure this is the way positions are envisaged by most players.
> They generally rely on this concept as a shortcut. "Tune in Am? I'll use
> 4th position on a C harp", without understanding anything about aeolian,
> harmonic minor or dorian.
>
> This is my point: positions start by being useful (especially for blues)
> but in lots of cases they keep the player in an ignorance bubble. This is
> the reason why harmonica players tend to be considered as "non-musicians"
> by musicians who play other styles than classic blues.
> I think David's image of a "lock on the way to play and envision the
> instrument" is very interesting.
>
> Again, I totally respect people who use positions in blues and anyway
> everybody can do what he wants.
> But there is another way. An harmonica player can consider his instrument
> as any other one and learn music theory and harmony, without relying on
> positions.
>
> Happy harpin'
>
> Laurent
>
>
> On 27/10/2018 19:05, "[NAME]" <[ADDRESS]> wrote:
>
>     David
>     We have had this argument before. You think you do not use positions
> but it
>     is unavoidable unless playing music without a tonal center. You are
> like a
>     fish who says he doesn’t use water.
>
>     For brevity, I agree to disagree.
>     Michael
>
>     On Sat, Oct 27, 2018 at 11:38 AM <dh at xxxxx> wrote:
>
>     > Sorry Michael I don’t use positions when I play and I'm glad I don't
>     > They are a lock on the way to play and envision the instrument
>     >
>     > Aongus : Most of the great musicians everybody admire have relative
> pitch
>     > (a pretty good one I would say)
>     > As soon as you start working on your ears whatever you do that make
> you
>     > improve is good. So I wouldn’t focus too much on relative or perfect
> pitch
>     > Just learn to identify what you hear (for instance a harmonica player
>     > using positions 😃) and sing what you hear and play (start simple)
>     >
>     > David Herzhaft
>     >
>
>
>
>
>