I started playing a little over a year ago and have watched many U Tube video’s on playing cross harp. Luke players Amazing grace in four different positions on a U Tube video. from what I can tell different positions require your start of on a different note, say-2. The song is the same but it is in different pitch. Can someone explain exactly what is involved in playing different positions. I got a brief lesson from Buddy Greene and he ask he to play Ghost Riders. I did and he told me I played it in 12th position, which shocked me. I had a C harp and started with a -3 ( first note ). I am confused even after watching U Tube discussions on this topic. Any help would be appreciated.
12th position cool! It’s these happy accidents that make stuff worthwhile. I’ve been playing for 30 years I don’t think I’ve ever gone near 12th position!
@scott4 - Yeah it’s just what hole is your home base (the place of greatest resolution, aka the “key” of the song, as explained here:
You can download a positions chart, or look at the circle of 5ths in which case moving 1 space clockwise from key of the harp is your next position. So on a C harmonica, playing in key of F is 12th position, which is -2" and -6 are your root notes.
It just so happens, according to many comments I’ve gotten on the Amazing Grace video, that 12th position turns out to be the easiest place for beginners to play that song. Kinda crazy, but different songs just layout hard or easy in different positions.
It’s a bit of a mind-bender. It’s normal to be confused by positions at the beginning! For anyone doing the Beginner to Boss course, this post may be helpful:
Thanks I have watch your U Tube post of Amazing Grace many times and note it is played in four positions as each sound different. I recognize the song in each had the same rhythm but different keys. I looked at the songs I have been playing and several are in 2nd, 3rd and 4,th. never knew it but the theory is coming slowly. I play the Yellow Rose From Texas and it starts with a -4. Ghost Riders a draw 3, just to name a couple. I was glad I did not know it. Its coming slowly but I feel to be a complete player one should know something about theory. I like the two riffs above in these positions as they just sound better.
Be aware that the first note of a song or melody is not always the root (or “home”) note that tells you which position you are playing on your blues harp. Many songs begin on a note that is not the root note.
Sorry that this makes it all more complicated, but that’s just the way it is.
Good to hear from you and hope you are well and hitting all your notes. I know little about music and do not plan to learn much more. I looked at the tunes I play and many are in 1 through 3. Seems easier when you are not caught up in all the technical aspect of playing, which I do solely for the enjoyment. This reminds me of getting a business , which of no help what so ever once I got into the real world. Like playing a harp only then did I begin to learn what I should have been taught in school. At least I went to the beauty capital of the world, Austin, TX before the tech industry ruined the city. Money and greed ruins about everything.
@Slim - good lookin’ out! Thanks for correcting my typo - 12th position roots are -2" and -6.
Also, you took the words out of my mouth, the 1st and/or last note of a melody is not necessarily the key. If you play the melody, and then hum what feels like what would be the place of greatest resolution, you will probably naturally feel the key, and then from there find what hole that is on the harmonica, and then - boom - you know what position you’re playing in.
