I play darker country music. (mostly minor keys) Lee Oskar offers Harmonic Minor Harps.Which allows me to play in 1st position for a cool almost folk monster movie type feel, but I can also use the relative major key diatonic and change position and bend to make it sound kinda sad with the minor key guitar parts. Pretty fun stuff to explore.
@@masonkanterbury3007 here’s a live video from Halloween in 2019 where I’m using a harmonic minor key harp on a song. Gives it a much creepier vibe. Where as when using the relative major diatonic it sounds more melancholy. Both are cool depending on the setting. For actual Halloween shows or coffeehouse style gigs that are a little more open to the theatrical angle of it I’ll use the minor key harps. Outside of fall in bars or if I’m doing an opening set in front of a more mainstream style act I’ll stick to the major key stuff. ua-cam.com/video/q1eIJzAihJE/v-deo.html
Hi Liam😀It‘s always a pleasure for me to hear You talking about harmonica. Also in this video. As I can still learn at least a thousand things from You, may be I could add something helpful to Your explanation of the positions and the reason why they are strong in major or minor. The main reason why I use first and second position mainly for major and bluesy stuff are the major and the major7 chords of the root and the IV that are available in these positions. In third or fifth position there are at least minor triads available. All scales are available in every position, as You mentioned. My favourite is fifth, because of the possibility to bend hole three from the fifth down to the major third. And You can bend up the overblow on hole 5 to the blue third. Unfortunately there is not so much stuff or teaching available for that position. Thank You very much for reading up to here😀 You are one of my favourite harp teachers
Good stuff. I bought my first harp so long ago it cost .75. (marine band. blues harps cost a dime more!) Still love the instrument. I use 1st, 2nd and 4th positions, but most of my minor key stuff, I use Seydel solo tuned harmonicas. Since they don't have chords, they are straight diatonic, and they work great for that. They are also useful for first position, of course, and allow wider melodies. Of course, I'm a mess, and own dozens of harps, but I've been performing for over 50 years.
Great explanation. The Aha moment for me was when I realized in practice your almost always moving counterclockwise on the circle of 5ths (or 4ths) to find the harp key based on the key of the song. Since at least for me I always have the key of the song first and have to find something that works for it and not the other way around. Thanks for the video! Your explanation of the scales in said positions was extremely helpful
Just ordered my harmonica. Can't wait to play. Any tips you'd like to give beginners so that they can effectively learn the instrument without getting demotivated?
Thank for the helpful lesson on positions, though I have not fully grasped the whole concept of positions yet, I want to become very good playing blues and jazz, I willing to put the time into learning to play
lol this video would have been very handy a couple of weeks ago when i had to explain this to every family member during the holidays XD awesome as always brother :)
Thank you for making this video. It's something that I've wondered about for quite some time and my google searches just left me confused and lost. Great video.
Best explanation I've found on this topic. Thank you very much. So my Bb harp can play the 3rd position scale of a song in C or only Cm? The time and effort you put into this is above and beyond. Thank you. Off to visit some of your playing videos.:)
Thanks cohoa1, glad you liked it! Your Bb harp can play 3rd position for both C major and C minor. The position doesn't decide the specific scale itself, just the location of your homebase. However, it's arguably easier and more expressive to play minor than major in 3rd position, and therefore more common.
Hi Liam! I love your vids, but I have a question. I don't understand why it's "easier" to play blues in 2nd position. What's easier about C harp: -2, -3/, 4, -4/, -5, 6 (G blues) vs G harp: 4, 4/, -5, 5/, 6, 6/ (G blues) Is it because draw bends are easier than overblow bends? Also, if you're in C harp 2nd position, then your V chord is off (F rather than F#). Meanwhile, if you're in G harp 1st position, the IV chord is whack, but the V chord is solid. Isn't that better? Obviously, all these great harmonica players aren't wrong, but my monkey brain can't make sense of why they're right. Thanks for your help! Happy harpin'!
Hi Darth Schlub, that's a great question. I think the short answer is that it's about maximising tone and textures. Whether it's easier or not is another question. You're right that most people find bends easier than overblows (or at least learn bends first). Overblows are less "stable" than bends so harder to control, harder to play in tune, and harder to make them sound sweet. "G harp 1st position, the IV chord is whack, but the V chord is solid. Isn't that better?" - I woudn't say 1st has an advantage in that regard. In 2nd pos, you still have some really strong notes (root, five, flat seven) on the V, and although you don't have the major third (F#), you have the minor third (F) which is great in blues. Also, you spend more time on the IV in a standard 12 bar anyway. Hope this makes sense!
I think you do a great job . I am confused why d makes a good key for minor key melody ...when *am.. is the relative minor of cmajor not dm . but i dont want an explanation...lol ill just take you at youre word.
A very good question from you both. Anthony is correct that Am is the relative minor to C major. The relative minor on harmonica is 4th position and it does make the minor scale very easy but it’s not the most expressive way to play minor scales. So that’s why 3rd pos is so good: the potential for expressive textures. The layout of notes on the harmonica means you can get really atmospheric and emotive sounds playing Dm on a C harp for example. C major and D minor share enough notes that you don’t need loads of bends so it’s a good compromise of ease and sound. Of course it all comes down to your own preference. Lots of beginners learn minor tunes in 4th to get them started without having to bend. I hope this helps! Keep an eye on my channel as I’ll be releasing a video all about 3rd position soon.
Great video thank you; just one question - I had assumed that a C major harp was best suited for the A minor scale rather than the Dm scale, since Am is the relative minor of C... It doesn't appear from your demonstration that Dm is obviously easier to play than Am so I wonder why it is the 'go-to' minor scale for a C harp...?
Basically 3rd position is more expressive. You get the root, third and fifth all on draw notes that you can bend, so it sounds really great. 4th position (Am on a C harp) gives you the minor scale easily, but it's harder to get it to sound alive, expressive, emotional.
For a C harp, would 3rd position work for the dorian mode with a B instead of a Bflat? Also, how about using it for the key of A natural minor? Or would a G harp be better of Am in 3rd position?
Hi Daniel, yes you can play the Dorian mode in 3rd position without having to bend. And yes, you can use a C harp for A minor but a G harp will give you more expressive sounding melodies. Hope this helps!
I honestly don't think I grasp it. Does it mean that second position is the fifth playable note along the harp? What does it mean if the tabs say 2nd position G on C? Does this mean you're playing in the key of G on a C harp and does it mean you can play this from first position on a G harp?
1. No, it doesn't mean mean 2nd pos is the fifth playable note along the harp. If the term "fifth" confuses you, don't worry about it for now. Just know that the 2 draw / 3 blow note (which are the same) is the home note for 2nd pos. 2. Yes, 2nd pos G on C does mean you're playing in the key of G on a C harp, and in theory (with the right tabs) you could play the same tune in 1st position on a G harp.
@@Learntheharmonica much obliged. Getting a C harp with better spacing for now. My G harp has the tiniest spacing between notes and is a tremolo so is not ideal for beginners but I got it by happenstance.
@@Learntheharmonica it's middle C isn't it? I reckon I'm gonna take to learning Harmonica without tabs but rather by notes because I understand notes from piano.
As a guitar player that is also a theory geek and jazzer, do you have any help on specifics of bending. I have yet to bend well in 2nd position. Yes, I know there's probably tons of instruction for beginner/intermediate like me. Thanks...
Couldn't you play in any of the modes of C major with a C major harmonica? Could you play "Summertime" in A minor for instance? Or is that over thinking it?
I’m 24, and had no idea that people drew their breaths in while playing harmonica. And here I thought I knew all the secrets of the world 😂😂😂. As someone who’s only play recorder and the viola, I’m excited to begin my harmonica journey :)
Yep, playing the relative minor gives you the minor scale very easily but it’s not the most expressive way to play minor scales. So that’s why 3rd pos is so good: the potential for expressive textures. Of course it all comes down to your own preference. Lots of beginners learn minor tunes in 4th to get them started without having to bend.
I'm sorrry, but didn't you mix two different positions in 9:08 ? You play D minor - isn't it 12th position (equivalent to F major)? You did not play F# and C# which belong to D major (2nd position). Or do I miss something about positions and major/minor scales?
Positions are about the tonal centre of the music - where does the song or scale gravitate to? Where does it resolve? D is 3rd position on a C harmonica. It doesn't matter if you play the D major scale, D minor, any of the modes in D etc etc, it's still 3rd position. Of course, certain scales are easier and sound better in certain positions: 3rd position works well for minor.
Hi James, yes you can play a C major harmonica in the relative minor key (A minor). That does make the minor scale very easy but it’s not the most expressive way to play minor scales. So that’s why 3rd pos is so good: the potential for expressive textures. The layout of notes on the harmonica means you can get really atmospheric and emotive sounds playing Dm on a C harp for example. C major and D minor share enough notes that you don’t need loads of bends so it’s a good compromise of ease and sound. Of course it all comes down to your own preference. Lots of beginners play the relative minor to get them started on minor tunes without having to bend. I hope this helps!
Check out my music channel for videos - ua-cam.com/users/liamwardmusic Check my website for live gigs - www.liamwardmusic.com/gigs-and-workshops I hope this helps!
No clue how to play. If I did not Seen the one my brother who Pick up maybe from a yard sale .. past away maybe 4 years ago I just like to read Comments.
TOO simple!! You cannot play blues to a country song, country is often played in first position, SECOND position is the blues (second draw as "Do"), and nobody knows about starting the scale on "Re", the Dorian mode, and it fits a lot of jazz. THEN, there are the Natural Minor scales (Lee Oskar harps!)....... I've only been playing 52 years, so I'm still learning.
Casual interest viewing only. Guitarist, beginning bassist. Lost interest because I was really looking something as simple of doing a bend on a harmonica. Scales, CO5th, all known.
Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup
Hi can I ask
I C the most common harmonica to learn playing?
Thanks
I play darker country music. (mostly minor keys) Lee Oskar offers Harmonic Minor Harps.Which allows me to play in 1st position for a cool almost folk monster movie type feel, but I can also use the relative major key diatonic and change position and bend to make it sound kinda sad with the minor key guitar parts. Pretty fun stuff to explore.
I'd love to hear that
@@masonkanterbury3007 here’s a live video from Halloween in 2019 where I’m using a harmonic minor key harp on a song. Gives it a much creepier vibe. Where as when using the relative major diatonic it sounds more melancholy. Both are cool depending on the setting. For actual Halloween shows or coffeehouse style gigs that are a little more open to the theatrical angle of it I’ll use the minor key harps. Outside of fall in bars or if I’m doing an opening set in front of a more mainstream style act I’ll stick to the major key stuff.
ua-cam.com/video/q1eIJzAihJE/v-deo.html
Hi Liam😀It‘s always a pleasure for me to hear You talking about harmonica. Also in this video. As I can still learn at least a thousand things from You, may be I could add something helpful to Your explanation of the positions and the reason why they are strong in major or minor. The main reason why I use first and second position mainly for major and bluesy stuff are the major and the major7 chords of the root and the IV that are available in these positions. In third or fifth position there are at least minor triads available. All scales are available in every position, as You mentioned. My favourite is fifth, because of the possibility to bend hole three from the fifth down to the major third. And You can bend up the overblow on hole 5 to the blue third. Unfortunately there is not so much stuff or teaching available for that position. Thank You very much for reading up to here😀 You are one of my favourite harp teachers
What a clear explanation, as usual. Thanks maestro
Glad you liked it! 😎
Good stuff. I bought my first harp so long ago it cost .75. (marine band. blues harps cost a dime more!) Still love the instrument. I use 1st, 2nd and 4th positions, but most of my minor key stuff, I use Seydel solo tuned harmonicas. Since they don't have chords, they are straight diatonic, and they work great for that. They are also useful for first position, of course, and allow wider melodies.
Of course, I'm a mess, and own dozens of harps, but I've been performing for over 50 years.
Lazy old Dave is some good stuff!
Glad to see you again my friend !!! I still got your poster on my office and watch it everyday
Great explanation. The Aha moment for me was when I realized in practice your almost always moving counterclockwise on the circle of 5ths (or 4ths) to find the harp key based on the key of the song. Since at least for me I always have the key of the song first and have to find something that works for it and not the other way around. Thanks for the video! Your explanation of the scales in said positions was extremely helpful
Glad it helped, thanks for watching! 😎
Excellent, clear presentation.
Always good video and instruction. You have by far my favourite harmonica instructional channel.
Wow, thanks!
Many thanks. This is a very careful and hence clear explanation of positions 1 to 3. I have been wondering..but no more.
Just ordered my harmonica. Can't wait to play.
Any tips you'd like to give beginners so that they can effectively learn the instrument without getting demotivated?
Have fun while you learn
Excellent stuff for a muck about player that's been winging it. Many thanks
No worries, glad it helped 😎
Brilliant explanation ! I finally understand : Thank you 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome explanation! I FINALLY get it. 😊😊😊 Thanks so much!
I'm so glad it helped. Best of luck on your harmonica journey 😎
Hello, great video, positions are very very important, excellent explanation of harmonica positions. Thanks!
You’re welcome Samuel, thanks for watching!
Excellent explanation😀
Thanks!
Well explained and demonstrated. Thanks very much.
You are welcome!
Thank You Liam - Great Explanation!
Glad it helped!
Thank for the helpful lesson on positions, though I have not fully grasped the whole concept of positions yet, I want to become very good playing blues and jazz, I willing to put the time into learning to play
lol this video would have been very handy a couple of weeks ago when i had to explain this to every family member during the holidays XD awesome as always brother :)
Haha, "outsiders" will never understand us! 🤣
Thank you for making this video. It's something that I've wondered about for quite some time and my google searches just left me confused and lost. Great video.
I'm so glad it helped!
what one to choice better? i see on chinese ali market them much and do not know what is acceptable.
@@anatolijku7242 Hohner or Sydel
Clear and excellent instruction
Thanks!
Awesome. Thanks for explaining.
No worries, thanks for watching! 😎
Thank you!!!
You're welcome!
This is a great video. Thank you so much for sharing this insight 👍
You're very welcome 😎
Thanks Liam! Appreciate it!
good show,thanks.
Thxu very much for the video 🙏🏻sir❤much love from india
Somewhat helpful. Someday I will get it... LOL.
Best explanation I've found on this topic. Thank you very much. So my Bb harp can play the 3rd position scale of a song in C or only Cm? The time and effort you put into this is above and beyond. Thank you. Off to visit some of your playing videos.:)
Thanks cohoa1, glad you liked it! Your Bb harp can play 3rd position for both C major and C minor. The position doesn't decide the specific scale itself, just the location of your homebase. However, it's arguably easier and more expressive to play minor than major in 3rd position, and therefore more common.
Great video! Thank you.
You're very welcome 😎
Modes is not an easy concept to grasp. Coming from guitar there is an adjustment due to the design of a harp. It’s fun!
Good theory..
Cheers
Very useful!
Glad you thought you! 😎
thanks for muddying the waters
Beautiful ❤️
6 draw theres a relative minor scale as well that I use a lot
What brand of harmonica do you use in this clip? The sound is very good.
Hohner Golden Melody, key of C.
whats he talking about when he says going the other way around at the end? I thought if a song was in c you used c ect?
Thanks again for sharing
No worries!
Hi Liam! I love your vids, but I have a question. I don't understand why it's "easier" to play blues in 2nd position.
What's easier about C harp: -2, -3/, 4, -4/, -5, 6 (G blues)
vs G harp: 4, 4/, -5, 5/, 6, 6/ (G blues)
Is it because draw bends are easier than overblow bends?
Also, if you're in C harp 2nd position, then your V chord is off (F rather than F#). Meanwhile, if you're in G harp 1st position, the IV chord is whack, but the V chord is solid. Isn't that better?
Obviously, all these great harmonica players aren't wrong, but my monkey brain can't make sense of why they're right. Thanks for your help!
Happy harpin'!
Hi Darth Schlub, that's a great question.
I think the short answer is that it's about maximising tone and textures.
Whether it's easier or not is another question. You're right that most people find bends easier than overblows (or at least learn bends first). Overblows are less "stable" than bends so harder to control, harder to play in tune, and harder to make them sound sweet.
"G harp 1st position, the IV chord is whack, but the V chord is solid. Isn't that better?" - I woudn't say 1st has an advantage in that regard. In 2nd pos, you still have some really strong notes (root, five, flat seven) on the V, and although you don't have the major third (F#), you have the minor third (F) which is great in blues. Also, you spend more time on the IV in a standard 12 bar anyway.
Hope this makes sense!
Also relative minor (Am)
I play in the key of H but it sounds like L.
I think you do a great job . I am confused why d makes a good key for minor key melody ...when *am.. is the relative minor of cmajor not dm . but i dont want an explanation...lol ill just take you at youre word.
Same here, I thought am was the relative minor of C?
@@anthonygale5456 yea but he sounds good when he plays it lol
Thanks for agreeing me tho...im trying to learn theory, and its a struggle
@@anthonygale5456 yea I just realized I said bm not sure why cuz ur right it's am and I knew that too
Lol maybe he meant to say it too?
A very good question from you both. Anthony is correct that Am is the relative minor to C major. The relative minor on harmonica is 4th position and it does make the minor scale very easy but it’s not the most expressive way to play minor scales.
So that’s why 3rd pos is so good: the potential for expressive textures. The layout of notes on the harmonica means you can get really atmospheric and emotive sounds playing Dm on a C harp for example. C major and D minor share enough notes that you don’t need loads of bends so it’s a good compromise of ease and sound.
Of course it all comes down to your own preference. Lots of beginners learn minor tunes in 4th to get them started without having to bend.
I hope this helps! Keep an eye on my channel as I’ll be releasing a video all about 3rd position soon.
Watching from Ireland
Great video thank you; just one question - I had assumed that a C major harp was best suited for the A minor scale rather than the Dm scale, since Am is the relative minor of C... It doesn't appear from your demonstration that Dm is obviously easier to play than Am so I wonder why it is the 'go-to' minor scale for a C harp...?
Basically 3rd position is more expressive. You get the root, third and fifth all on draw notes that you can bend, so it sounds really great. 4th position (Am on a C harp) gives you the minor scale easily, but it's harder to get it to sound alive, expressive, emotional.
For a C harp, would 3rd position work for the dorian mode with a B instead of a Bflat? Also, how about using it for the key of A natural minor? Or would a G harp be better of Am in 3rd position?
Hi Daniel, yes you can play the Dorian mode in 3rd position without having to bend. And yes, you can use a C harp for A minor but a G harp will give you more expressive sounding melodies. Hope this helps!
I honestly don't think I grasp it. Does it mean that second position is the fifth playable note along the harp? What does it mean if the tabs say 2nd position G on C? Does this mean you're playing in the key of G on a C harp and does it mean you can play this from first position on a G harp?
1. No, it doesn't mean mean 2nd pos is the fifth playable note along the harp. If the term "fifth" confuses you, don't worry about it for now. Just know that the 2 draw / 3 blow note (which are the same) is the home note for 2nd pos.
2. Yes, 2nd pos G on C does mean you're playing in the key of G on a C harp, and in theory (with the right tabs) you could play the same tune in 1st position on a G harp.
@@Learntheharmonica much obliged. Getting a C harp with better spacing for now. My G harp has the tiniest spacing between notes and is a tremolo so is not ideal for beginners but I got it by happenstance.
@@Learntheharmonica it's middle C isn't it? I reckon I'm gonna take to learning Harmonica without tabs but rather by notes because I understand notes from piano.
As a guitar player that is also a theory geek and jazzer, do you have any help on specifics of bending. I have yet to bend well in 2nd position. Yes, I know there's probably tons of instruction for beginner/intermediate like me. Thanks...
Hi Steven, I recently put out a video on hitting bends in tune that might help you - ua-cam.com/video/SchySKNtAQU/v-deo.html
Couldn't you play in any of the modes of C major with a C major harmonica? Could you play "Summertime" in A minor for instance? Or is that over thinking it?
Yep, you could find all the modes on a C harp. I am planning a video on modes soon too 😎
I’m 24, and had no idea that people drew their breaths in while playing harmonica. And here I thought I knew all the secrets of the world 😂😂😂.
As someone who’s only play recorder and the viola, I’m excited to begin my harmonica journey :)
Les Shroud and Junior Wells have inspired me.
Good luck with the journey. As you already play the recorder you have a head start. Hope you're enjoying learning.
or you could play A minor with a c harmonica. its the same notes starting on A
Yep, playing the relative minor gives you the minor scale very easily but it’s not the most expressive way to play minor scales. So that’s why 3rd pos is so good: the potential for expressive textures. Of course it all comes down to your own preference. Lots of beginners learn minor tunes in 4th to get them started without having to bend.
I'm sorrry, but didn't you mix two different positions in 9:08 ? You play D minor - isn't it 12th position (equivalent to F major)? You did not play F# and C# which belong to D major (2nd position). Or do I miss something about positions and major/minor scales?
Positions are about the tonal centre of the music - where does the song or scale gravitate to? Where does it resolve? D is 3rd position on a C harmonica. It doesn't matter if you play the D major scale, D minor, any of the modes in D etc etc, it's still 3rd position. Of course, certain scales are easier and sound better in certain positions: 3rd position works well for minor.
@@Learntheharmonica okay, thank you. Is it true for minor harmonicae as well? For example, for Cm (C minor) harmonica D will still be 3rd position?
Isn't that harmonica the key of C and Am?
Hi James, yes you can play a C major harmonica in the relative minor key (A minor). That does make the minor scale very easy but it’s not the most expressive way to play minor scales.
So that’s why 3rd pos is so good: the potential for expressive textures. The layout of notes on the harmonica means you can get really atmospheric and emotive sounds playing Dm on a C harp for example. C major and D minor share enough notes that you don’t need loads of bends so it’s a good compromise of ease and sound.
Of course it all comes down to your own preference. Lots of beginners play the relative minor to get them started on minor tunes without having to bend.
I hope this helps!
I want to see your real performance . Where can I watch you playing music ?
Check out my music channel for videos - ua-cam.com/users/liamwardmusic
Check my website for live gigs - www.liamwardmusic.com/gigs-and-workshops
I hope this helps!
If you figure 1 out you got them all.
No clue how to play. If I did not
Seen the one my brother who
Pick up maybe from a yard sale .. past away maybe 4 years ago I just like to read Comments.
Has to be a joke about playing in 69th position on harmonica. Perhaps that is when you play it upside down
Harma Sutra?
TOO simple!! You cannot play blues to a country song, country is often played in first position, SECOND position is the blues (second draw as "Do"), and nobody knows about starting the scale on "Re", the Dorian mode, and it fits a lot of jazz. THEN, there are the Natural Minor scales (Lee Oskar harps!)....... I've only been playing 52 years, so I'm still learning.
Thanks Liam cant wait to start chugging...🤬
Hmmm…. Clear as Mud to me.
Hi Nigel, sorry the video didn't help you. Can you say what you're trying to understand and what didn't make sense?
Casual interest viewing only. Guitarist, beginning bassist. Lost interest because I was really looking something as simple of doing a bend on a harmonica. Scales, CO5th, all known.
Hi philam1973, I have several lessons on bending - check this one for beginners: ua-cam.com/video/fc-byWjMZ_0/v-deo.html
I hope it helps!