[Harp-L] All this Positions and Modes stuff

[Jerome P.]

Of course, I don't know all the notes on all the harmonicas.
I don't know the positions on any harp either BTW.
But I know all the scales & all the modes I need on a C harp (as much as
possible, let's say).
When changing the key of the harp, I continue to think in terms of modes &
scales, not positions, and I consider that my harp is in C even if it is
not.
I need to know the difference between D major & D minor, not the difference
between 2nd pos & 3rd, which doesn't give me any information but the fact
that the root notes are different.
In conclusion, I do exactly like other transposing instruments, like a
saxophonist would do for example.


Le dim. 28 oct. 2018 à 23:02, Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica at xxxxx>
a écrit :

> On a C harp, all of the scales with a G root are 2nd position.
>
> The Ab scale is 9th
>
> The D scale is third
>
> The Db scale is 8th.
>
> When it comes to advanced music that changes tonal centers regularly
> positional thinking is extremely helpful when dealing with harps other than
> C. Know your numbers templates for all 12 positions and just apply the
> correct position to the correct tonal center and then you don’t have to
> know the names of the notes on the harp.
>
> Whether or not you think positionally, you are using positions except in
> music that has no tonal center.
> Michael
>
> On Sun, Oct 28, 2018 at 4:48 PM Arthur Jennings via Harp-L <
> harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Yes, if you're playing a G scale on a C harp, you're in second position,
>> regardless of which G scale you're playing.
>>
>> Trying to stretch the definition of position to account for tonality,
>> altered tunings or chromatic button status winds up complicating the issue
>> past the point of usefulness, in my opinion.
>>
>> > On Oct 28, 2018, at 2:25 PM, Jerome P. <jersimuse at xxxxx> wrote:
>> >
>> > ok, others would have a different definition, but why not.
>> > So, considering this definition, what is the answer to my question ?
>> > BTW, which root note are we talking about ? The one of the harmony, G ?
>> the
>> > root of the mode I'm playing with ? The root of the scale from which the
>> > mode comes from ?
>> > Would you consider here that I play in 2nd position all the way long ?
>> >
>> >> Le dim. 28 oct. 2018 à 22:04, Gary Lehmann <gnarlyheman at xxxxx> a
>> écrit :
>> >>
>> >> Winslow Yerxa says positions are named by the root note, not the
>> flavor of
>> >> scale.
>> >>
>> >> Sent from my iPhone
>> >>
>> >> On Oct 28, 2018, at 1:32 PM, Jerome P. <jersimuse at xxxxx> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> In which position or positions have I just played ?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>>>>
>>
>