@Carlos1 Could you do us all a favor and verify every block in this harmonica positions chart posted below, and add corrections, and send it to me or post it at harmonica.com. I’ll not be able to figure it all out. And we DO NOT want to confuse beginners, you are correct. Sounds like you have the expertise required to verify this chart. Thanks!
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At the moment I am very busy with moving to a new residence and at the same time trying to squeeze in various important medical exams & procedures.
I did take a quick look at the chart and did not notice any obvious mistakes.
But that’s where I grabbed the Bb for Key of C 3rd position. Well, have another look when you can. Just wondering if I read the chart wrong or what happened because I’ve played C chromatics in the key of D minor many times. Good luck with your medical issues. My eyes just took a dump the other day…the slow march to the grave. Sounds like a blues tune. Lol.
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The chart is used by first noting what the key your harp has (usually indicated on the harp). So let’s say you have an “A” harp. Now go to the first column on the left side of the chart that has the label “1st” at the top. Then go down that column until you find the key of the harp (in this case “A”). Now in that row go from left to right to find the keys that you can play with your “A” harp. In each column of that row is a different key: the first column shows “A”, the second column shows “E”, the 3rd column shows “B”, etc. When you find any particular key (for example “B”) go to the top of that column to find out which harp position you use with your “A” harp to play music in that key.
Another example: say you are using an “Eb” harp. In the row for “Eb” go from left to right and you will find that you can use that “Eb” harp to play music in the key of “Bb” (which the chart also tells you is 2nd position on the “Eb” harp), or you can play music in the key of “C” (4th position), or music in the key of “Ab” (12th position), etc.
Got it?
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Just want to help here - learn your scales, and you will know the notes for each position.
I have found learning scales is easier on Chromatic.
I completely understand what you are saying, but I doubt the original black blues players knew much theory or scales. I’m a strict lover of traditional harmonica. I do not listen to anything that rattles off a thousand notes in 30 seconds, even though I do admire their expertise, and I do not laugh at their style of playing. I do not buy their CDs either. I do not have any Blues Traveler in my collection. Thank you for your encouragement. Be well
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But I will concede to you that had I learned scales and learned to play more like @dblues, who sent me a link to his fine recordings, I would have been hired for a lot more gigs. I don’t want to dissuade any beginners from learning scales, because it can mean more work and greater opportunities. I might have taken work from Saxophonists.
Right now, I have a standing gig I could work if I learned scales to play this guy’s music. I just haven’t convinced myself that I want to do that, although to some degree I want to play on stage again.
In my heyday of playing, 1990s, near the University of Arizona, where I graduated from with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1988, lots of girls with summer dresses and fine bodies were writhing on the dance floor. Now they are all boomers, like me, and these days they are wearing knee braces and hobbling on the dance floor. My favorite pickup line these days would be, Can I offer you a box of “free” Depends? Seriously.
Again, you are right: I should learn scales. Thanks for your encouragement.
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