What key of harmonica to play over a Dm backing track

[Slim]

Hi @toogdog

Db is the same note as C# and the harp should be just what you want – only the label is confusing you.

Look at Wikipedia article for the C-sharp minor scale and then for D-flat minor scale. These two scales are called “enharmonic equivalents”. Wikipedia also has an article " Enharmonic equivalence" that explains this.

Regards,
– Slim

[toogdog]

Actually if I’d stopped to think I did know that. Can I say I was having a blonde moment. I think I’ll remove my post. How embarrassing.
Harmonica is not the one in the photo on Amazon. I decided to keep it anyway. Now I’ll try playing it. BUT it doesn’t say MINOR. So I don’t think it’s going to sound right?

[Luke]

UGH so confusing. But not embarrassing @toogdog we’re all trying to wade through the madness together!

Confusing because Hohner labels there minor harps in 2nd position. So your Db Minor will actually play in the key of Ab minor.

I just had this same issue with a Joe Spiers harmonica I ordered a Cm, and it actually plays in the key of Gm.

I think for this tuning it makes so much more sense to LABEL IT IN THE 2ND POSITION KEY since THAT’S THE KEY THAT ACTUALLY PLAYS IN MINOR!!!

Anyways, Lee Oskar is labeled 2nd position so from Rockin’ Rons you’d order a Dbm.

But if you order a Hohner, you’d need to order an F#m in order to be able to play in C#m. Confusing!

If you go for an 1896, just bear in mind they can be a bit tough on the lips!

[toogdog]

Thanks. Got it now

[toogdog]

Problem is its not Minor its just Db

[toogdog]

Ok
Update. Rockin rons don’t ship out of us.
My local music shop is ordering me a Db minor Lee Oscar. They say there are two choices in THIS harmonica! Db natural minor OR Db harmonic minor.

HELP

Songs that use the Harmonic Minor scale

this is a great item in another post on the site that you put up but I am not confident enough… After watching this I am guessing I want a Db natural minor for this particular tune Glassy Surface?

[Luke]

Yes, you want NATURAL MINOR!! LO Db Natural Minor is correct!

Harmonic MInor îs labeled 1st position cos they play minor in 1st position, and they have a very Eastern sound as I describe / demonstrate here:

Natural Minor vs Harmonic Minor Harmonicas

[Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor Harps] Last month I wrote about why Natural Minor harmonicas are awesome. (If you missed it you can read about it here as well as check out this videoof me playing Natural Mystic on an Am Natural Minor Harmonica.) [Natural Mystic Lee Oskar Am Natural Minor Harmonica] But here’s the gist: Natural Minor harmonicas are: Labeled in 2nd position (A Gm Natural Minor is in the same range as a C standard tuned harmonica) Everything that you can…