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what is the position in harmonica (blues harp) playing?

November 13th, 2008 | Author:

tb1379 asked:


i have a diatonic harmonica and in beside my harmonica that wroted the 2nd position in example ( E Key).

and also i see in some sites i see a larg position that write from one to 10th position for each key of harmonica.
i am very confused about this positions and also about the
IONIAN MODE , Cross Harp and ‘Straight Harp’ . help me if any one can explain it for me simply.

Category: Uncategorized | Tags: Blues Harp, Diatonic Harmonica, E Key, Harmonica Blues, Ionian Mode |

One Response to “what is the position in harmonica (blues harp) playing?”

1. Dan says:

   16/11/2008 at 10:04 am

   I answered this one a few days ago and didn’t get a best answer. The cite is below. In first position, straight harp, you see this pattern in your minds eye.
   C E G C E G C E G C Blow
   D G B D F A B D F A Draw

   In cross harp, or second position, you see this pattern in your mind’s eye.

   F A C F A C F A C F Blow
   G C E G B D E G B D Draw

   You will be playing a flatted Bb in cross harp.

   OK, now you are going to have to scratch and think on the other issues. My citation below covers it.

   It sounds to me like you have a Lee Oskar Harmonica. You may have an alternate tuning. Write me if it is a melody maker or a natural minor. A melody maker plays in cross harp without the flatted B. You can check out the tuning and the model at leeoskar.com, or just write me.

   Playing cross harp, or second position, is how most people play the blues. There is such a thing as a blues scale. I’ve given you a citation below for that also. No real conclusive answer. This is an art, after all.