hi!! I know this post is old but perhaps someone else could use the knoweledge! so this is more for everyone rather than this specific post!!
A little on my background before I start: I've been playing harp since the age of 11 (now 21 years playing). I started playing folk with my dad as a harp duet. him playing the longer chromatic harp and me on the smaller diatonic harps. My dad taught me harp upside down due to his thinking it sounds better that way, but it's all preference really. I've been playing blues harp for the last 12 years (with 12 string or 6 string guitar at the same time!! I've been playing in bands also for the last 12 years and plenty of gigs in below my belt. Anyway if anyone has any question about blues harp feel free to post.
Most Harps use a standard tuning. Blues players generally play in cross position (or second position, first position is a blow note in the lower register. and 3rd position is a blow note in the high register). Meaning the melody starts on a suck note. lee Oskar harps give this '2nd' position on the side of the harp. Hohner don't so it's wise to have a little knoweledge before purchasing.
Below is a handy reference for those wishing to play blues harps
blues in E require a key A harp (A being the first position) so here's the chart first position on the left or in other words the key you should buy!
1st---------2nd
A<--------->E
B<--------->F
C<--------->G
D<--------->A
E<--------->B
F<--------->C
G<-------->D
and of course if you're playing in a b or # (flat or sharp) then just get the coresponding first position harp in a flat or sharp key.
you can catch a snippet of my playing (guitar and harp) this was just a voice chat mic set on the desk recording the sound
Last Night On The Towncheers
This post has been edited by jumpin jazz flash: Aug 31 2006, 07:00 AM
Mar 17 2005, 04:46 AM
