This man has such a commanding GRASP of the whole enchilada,,,it's BEYOND Amazing, But Howard I just Love the way you incorporate and relate the playing styles of the guitar Giants we grew Up with........just.....So Good...... You're like a Blues (and it doesn't stop There) Encyclopedia....and FUNKY Too! Thank you.
I have been "playing" for some time since before u tube & now i find out that there is way more than i ever dreamed possable from a C HARP This guy is really a master.
Wow cool story about why it didn't take off for a good long while. This is almost the same story behind JS Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier". Back in his day, keyboards were tuned using something much closer to just intonation as well. This meant that some keys sounded really rich, but some of them also sounded pretty nasty. Musicians and composers of the day wanted to do more adventurous stuff, like key changes, or drop into another key over a chord (like Howard drops back into 2nd position on the 2 chord). But it took tuning pianos/harpsichords in a more compromised key to do that. In Bach's day this was a new innovation, so he wrote "The Well Tempered Clavier" to show it off. Since it was still a compromise between "just" and equal (which hadn't been invented yet) each key had its own color, but each one sounded nicely in tune. By the time Mozard and Beehoven were doing their thing, this new way of tuning had become standard. Who'd have thought the same shit would start flying on the humble harmonica? Thanks for the lesson, Howard 🙏
Well, it isn' surprising at all, that 12th position is suitable for playing blues. Relative minor to F is D minor. And that is the 3rd position on C harmonica. So when you play blues in d minor or F major, you can use the d minor pentatonic scale in 3rd position. I like the addition of OD and OB to this position, and its use in country music. Anyway, excellent video as always. Thank you Mr. Levy.
I have played harmonica 48 years and was able to play full-time by age 20. I generally, as most do, play mostly in 2nd, 3rd, 1st position and some Chromatic. I started out in Bluegrass and was full-time in country music, listening to these country licks in 12 th position is mind-bending...in a good way, thanks Howard! I had a Swing Dance band for 10 years and we covered many Jazz Standards too.....I "discovered" 12th position when working out what harp to play on a Billie Holiday song "Day in Day Out" that is actually in key of F so, yes a "C" harp- either Chromatic or Diatonic works and I alternate depending on the day. Anyway, the song is structured as three 16 bar sections and then an 8 bar tag section on the end. The first 8 bars each time are the same, then the second 8 bars have a slight variation mostly in chord voicings but distinct. Then comes the final 8 bars. The chords are beautiful and I discovered everything laid out really naturally in 12 th position (I do not play overblows) even though the song is very "Jazzy" sounding and it really swings as well. I can only imagine with Howard's overblow techniques and music theory background how he could really FLY over that song in 12 th position. Worth looking up, Billie Holiday's lyrics on it also are very cool.
The 12th position has much in common with the third position because the D minor pentatonic (Third position on a C harp) is actually the F major pentatonic in 12th position. And the blues scale in third position is another blues scale (a jazzy one) in 12th position, as the b5 in third position is the minor third in 12th position.
Wonderful video, so many good points for temperaments and how to approach the instruments, which are a superb edition to other videos you might find on YT and elsewhere regarding Harp positions! I love to play on 12th but rather on Gypsy minor scale up, Harmonic minor down: 2D'' 2D 3D''' 3D 4B 4D' 5B 5D - 5D 5B 4D' 4B 3D' 3D''' 2D 2D'' Also Byzantine: 2D'' 2D' 3D'' 3D' 4B 4D' 5B 5D I play those on Manji A in 12th to match 3rd pos on C harp and 1st pos on D, each harp gives different feel to the different minor variations and allow passages reminding Clarinet, Fiddle, Flute etc.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydian_Chromatic_Concept_of_Tonal_Organization "The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization is a 1953 jazz music theory book written by George Russell. The book is the founding text of the Lydian Chromatic Concept (LCC), or Lydian Chromatic Theory (LCT). Russell's work postulates that all music is based on the tonal gravity of the Lydian mode."
this is beautiful in many ways.. the topic, your love for it, the way the video goes through topics along the one position.. and of course your playing!
Thanks for this informative video Howard. Is it possible to explain why Chords sound bad on an ET harp but sound OK on a piano? Is it a feature of reeded instruments?
A bit of music theory sure helps with this. I can play in 12th, although nowhere near this proficiency level, but I can follow. at least conceptually, and I only had 100 level music theory classes. :) Of course, conceptually and practically are two different levels. There are a lot of pro-players who really don't stray far beyond 1st-3rd position.
432 is good, but if you really want a next-level modification, you've got to got to add a 1/1000000000 mixture of bulls-horn to water to each reed, arrange 7 quartz crystals around the harp, and do the chakra dance; otherwise your instruments aura will never align with the vibrations of the universe. Of course, this only works if you are a Libra.
He did say that he was using a C harmonica, which he used for all tutorials. F scale is the 12th position on the C diatonic harmonica and starts from hole 2 full draw bend
Everytime I hear you play and talk about music, I pick up a harmonica and start playing. Thanks! 😀
Filip, I feel the same every time I listen to you play as well.
I didn't think 6th Position was possible until watching Filip Jers
I think this guy has insight into the harmonica that is leagues beyond all others!
This man has such a commanding GRASP of the whole enchilada,,,it's BEYOND Amazing, But Howard I just Love the way you incorporate and relate the playing styles of the guitar Giants we grew Up with........just.....So Good...... You're like a Blues (and it doesn't stop There) Encyclopedia....and FUNKY Too! Thank you.
I have been "playing" for some time since before u tube & now i find out that there is way more than i ever dreamed possable from a C HARP This guy is really a master.
Your play is so fluid and beautiful Mr. Levy 👏🏻
Finally I get how positions are named, thanks!
Glad I could help!
Great video... Howard chilling on his couch, nerding out on harp talk with a couple of Grammy awards behind him on the mantle. :D
I always loved that position THANKS MASTER. for opening doors of my harp❤
I don‘t know why , but his 12th Position Videos hold a Special Place in my Heart. Thank you sir!
Wow cool story about why it didn't take off for a good long while. This is almost the same story behind JS Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier". Back in his day, keyboards were tuned using something much closer to just intonation as well. This meant that some keys sounded really rich, but some of them also sounded pretty nasty.
Musicians and composers of the day wanted to do more adventurous stuff, like key changes, or drop into another key over a chord (like Howard drops back into 2nd position on the 2 chord). But it took tuning pianos/harpsichords in a more compromised key to do that. In Bach's day this was a new innovation, so he wrote "The Well Tempered Clavier" to show it off. Since it was still a compromise between "just" and equal (which hadn't been invented yet) each key had its own color, but each one sounded nicely in tune.
By the time Mozard and Beehoven were doing their thing, this new way of tuning had become standard.
Who'd have thought the same shit would start flying on the humble harmonica?
Thanks for the lesson, Howard 🙏
Mr Levy, this short lesson gave me so manyn ideas about the blues playing, Thank you so much!
Well, it isn' surprising at all, that 12th position is suitable for playing blues. Relative minor to F is D minor. And that is the 3rd position on C harmonica. So when you play blues in d minor or F major, you can use the d minor pentatonic scale in 3rd position. I like the addition of OD and OB to this position, and its use in country music. Anyway, excellent video as always. Thank you Mr. Levy.
I never ceased to be amazed at not only your playing, but your knowledge of this instrument. Just beautiful
I have played harmonica 48 years and was able to play full-time by age 20. I generally, as most do, play mostly in 2nd, 3rd, 1st position and some Chromatic. I started out in Bluegrass and was full-time in country music, listening to these country licks in 12 th position is mind-bending...in a good way, thanks Howard! I had a Swing Dance band for 10 years and we covered many Jazz Standards too.....I "discovered" 12th position when working out what harp to play on a Billie Holiday song "Day in Day Out" that is actually in key of F so, yes a "C" harp- either Chromatic or Diatonic works and I alternate depending on the day.
Anyway, the song is structured as three 16 bar sections and then an 8 bar tag section on the end. The first 8 bars each time are the same, then the second 8 bars have a slight variation mostly in chord voicings but distinct. Then comes the final 8 bars. The chords are beautiful and I discovered everything laid out really naturally in 12 th position (I do not play overblows) even though the song is very "Jazzy" sounding and it really swings as well.
I can only imagine with Howard's overblow techniques and music theory background how he could really FLY over that song in 12 th position. Worth looking up, Billie Holiday's lyrics on it also are very cool.
Subscribed. Wow. I didn’t know 😎
Yeah, Howard I love the 12 position for a lot of major tunes. It just sets up so well that major scale with all those beautiful bends
Truly enlightening and inspiring. Many thanks!
So many things covered in such a short time... BRAVO🎉😮
Yes thank you Howard!
You're great as you have plenty of ideas, knowledge and applications.
The 12th position has much in common with the third position because the D minor pentatonic (Third position on a C harp) is actually the F major pentatonic in 12th position. And the blues scale in third position is another blues scale (a jazzy one) in 12th position, as the b5 in third position is the minor third in 12th position.
Only 6600 subs? OMG you are a legend!
Thanks so much for posting this, It’ll start to sink in in after a few watches. So much scope on a diatonic!
You are terrific Sir! I love so much your style and your video's!
That blues was so cool
Sweeet ! (Just subscribed.)
Phenomenal Howard!
Learn from this video. Amazing!!!!!!!!
Ah, musical…genius!
Many thanks for posting this Howard!!
Carlos del junco has some tunes played in 12th position.
You Sir are so inspiring thankyou.
Over blew my mind
I won't be able to play anymore... my jaw is on the floor!
Thank you, Howard! 🎶🙃
Thank you for this video! So much great information!
Great stuff. This channel deserves way more subscribers. Thanks for your masterful teaching. Peace.
Dang that is slick, I’m gonna mess around with this. Thanks Howard
That’s the idea!
Exelent coverage of material often overlooked! I had a contract to play George Michael's song (Careless Whisper,) and 12 pos. saved my butt!
Thanks for the review of Just intonation!
11th pos teaching appreciated too. thnx & a healty new year
Amazing!
Amazing lesson!. Thanks for this video.
amazing, thanks! I have so much to learn..
Thanks Howard
Just watched this video and I decided to pick up my diatonic harps
so great of a lesson thank you brother
So gratefull to you for all your Videos of experience and knowledge you bring up tu us. Masterclass!
Strepitoso come sempre, con la semplicità che ti contraddistingue 🙏
Awesome video ! A lot of instructions and ideas !
Wonderful video, so many good points for temperaments and how to approach the instruments, which are a superb edition to other videos you might find on YT and elsewhere regarding Harp positions!
I love to play on 12th but rather on Gypsy minor scale up, Harmonic minor down: 2D'' 2D 3D''' 3D 4B 4D' 5B 5D - 5D 5B 4D' 4B 3D' 3D''' 2D 2D''
Also Byzantine: 2D'' 2D' 3D'' 3D' 4B 4D' 5B 5D
I play those on Manji A in 12th to match 3rd pos on C harp and 1st pos on D, each harp gives different feel to the different minor variations and allow passages reminding Clarinet, Fiddle, Flute etc.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydian_Chromatic_Concept_of_Tonal_Organization "The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization is a 1953 jazz music theory book written by George Russell. The book is the founding text of the Lydian Chromatic Concept (LCC), or Lydian Chromatic Theory (LCT). Russell's work postulates that all music is based on the tonal gravity of the Lydian mode."
So good, cheers Howard
this is beautiful in many ways.. the topic, your love for it, the way the video goes through topics along the one position.. and of course your playing!
Thanks David!
Awesome really 🙏
Thanks! Happy New Year!🤯
Great video 👍
wonderful explanation as always!
Show 👏👏👏👏
If you pay C- harp in 12 position what should be the backing track key ?
👍👏
Thanks for this informative video Howard. Is it possible to explain why Chords sound bad on an ET harp but sound OK on a piano? Is it a feature of reeded instruments?
Play the blues Howard. PLAY THE BLUES… “oh I played a 1 overblow”😂
LOL I suspect you have to be such an accomplished harp player to keep up with this guy that you probably don't need the class in the first place :D
A bit of music theory sure helps with this. I can play in 12th, although nowhere near this proficiency level, but I can follow. at least conceptually, and I only had 100 level music theory classes. :)
Of course, conceptually and practically are two different levels. There are a lot of pro-players who really don't stray far beyond 1st-3rd position.
Tenks'you'woward'traduction'francaise
Great lecture with your impeccable playing!
Speaking of tuning, have you ever tried tuning A=432?
432 is good, but if you really want a next-level modification, you've got to got to add a 1/1000000000 mixture of bulls-horn to water to each reed, arrange 7 quartz crystals around the harp, and do the chakra dance; otherwise your instruments aura will never align with the vibrations of the universe. Of course, this only works if you are a Libra.
Are you playing a C harp or an F harp,?
He did say that he was using a C harmonica, which he used for all tutorials. F scale is the 12th position on the C diatonic harmonica and starts from hole 2 full draw bend
🎼🎶👏👍💪
Awesome I learned allot !!
fascinating!