How to play 12th position harmonica (Major Scale/Ionian)

[@J.M.Stigner]

liquid licks at the end, loving it, cheers legend

[@anbyeastbank319]

Thanks for explaining this to us mere mortals! AWESOME!

[@Robert-yk8tx]

Thank you for making this video. Another way of finding the rightbkey is to take the crossharp but turn it around: for a song in A you would use a D in cross and for a song in D you would use an A harp for 12th. 😊

[@jerryvan6153]

MAN, I'm 55. I'm really only just a few years your senior. I'd love to share a Gram or 2 of wax with you. I am so truly thankful that you are so generous sharing the basics your gift. IF i can be bold and represent those of us old fux with COPD. At least with me....... you have assisted me with the most awesomest tool to help me quit tobacco next to Adam Gussow.

[@richardsorice4509]

Hey Jason, I'm a former harmonica player, who gave it up over 40 years ago to concentrate on jazz guitar. I'm now 63 and retired from my day job to play jazz guitar and upright bass gigs. I thought I might try getting back into harmonica. Loved this lesson. You're an amazing player. You mentioned that the b5 sounded awful. That's the same as the #4 Lydian sound over the 1 chord, which many people strive for. Once you get it in your ear, it's pretty sweet. Try playing a B minor Pentatonic scale over a C major 7 chord. This scale has the 7, (9 or 2), 3, #4, 6 done. No root. It's a beautiful jazzy sound when you're playing a 2-5-1 (Dm7- G7- CMaj7) and you use that scale over the 1 chord. Not sure how it sounds on harmonica, because I feel like a beginner, but it's nice on guitar. Thanks for the great lesson.

[@edkittens75]

"Everything's good...Just wonderful, I'm having a beautiful day...and then!" LOL!

[@RyanFreid]

I can't believe I've never tried 12th position before this...Except for squeezing a 6 overblow in there, it's not bad at all!

[@carlitosross1519]

Perfect amazing classe master

[@jasonricci]

Glad to be of service sir!

[@jerryvan6153]

I can only imagine... if YOU had an instructor; like YOU.... what WE could learn. God Bless

[@RollerCanarysByDaveyGeeNewZeal]

Yes Jason "sweet lovin with my baby is awesome my friend.

[@rolfr6662]

😁Having a beautiful day and then...3 draw in 12th...way fun Jason.

[@DrDixonBhD]

I Truly Love and Respect Your Artistry Jason!!! So Freakin’ Kool 12th Position!!!🎼🎶♥️🎤🎵👌🏿

[@jasonricci]

Thank YOU ❤️

[@harpman2009]

Hey.. FYI: to play F in 12th Pos you need a "C" harp.. not C#/Db. I have learnt heaps from you over the years ,and incorporated a number of your techniques into my playing. Champion!

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Like the way you put do ray me in there!!!

[@davidblackwell515]

Dont know if you see comments from old videos, but this is awesome. The demo you do here is so fine. The best thing about UA-cam is that I get to have a lesson from one of the best harp players alive!
Now if I could find the talent to do some of what you showed and make it pretty. I'm trying!!
Thanks!

[@jasonricci]

Thank You!!!

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Yessir Jayson is awesome!!👍

[@ikust007]

@@jasonricci can’t believe the time and care you put answering us. Long live mate.

[@ikust007]

Just discovering Del Junco. Damn… I know nothing… also just discovered Oscher!

[@chicoventura]

Hey just found your channel after years of setting the harp down for corporate work. Coming back to it and just want to say thanks and subscribed.

[@jasonricci]

Thank YOU Christian!

[@eugene4637]

If i ever step foot in America. Seeing you and seeing you perform is the 1st thing on my to do list Sir.

[@eymenkurtuldu2941]

Yücel Kayabaşı Jason beyi Türkiye'ye davet etmek lazım

[@littledre]

wow such a cool position for major sound! I am enjoing it :^)

[@mooncricket8551]

i think 1st flat refers to the circle of 5ths. starting on C, by adding the 1st flat you get the key of F. with a G harp the 1st flat would naturalize the F# making the key signature C. 12th position is the scale starting on the 4th tone of the key signature of the harp you are using.

[@rolfr6662]

All your lessons are fun. This one in particular is extraordinary. Your teaching is personal and relatable. You are a natural at this.

[@jasonricci]

Awe Thank YOU ❤️!

[@howlinhoward]

Your video makes me think of Chris Michalek. He loved this position and played in it often. Great stuff, thanks so much!

[@jasonricci]

He was a friend of mine! Love Chris!

[@chipsellarole267]

"everything that is hard at the beginning is the exact same stuff that makes it beautiful and awesome at the end" thats spectacular!!, love that Jason. Metaphor for life too... Carry on master

[@chipsellarole267]

"I am hving a wonderful day and then, 3 draw natural and everything goes wrong"...hahhhahha aaaa, exactly what just happened. Thanx Jason awesome vid

[@ManlioMilazzi]

weeeeeeiiiiiiird....uiiiiiiiiiird ha! LOVE IT :) awesome as usual bro. One of the best 12th pos lessons available here around for sure

[@sarthaksharma8389]

I discovered this position accidentally while trying to cover "what a wonderful world" by Christelle Berthon

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Hey I like Suzuki harps also! Keep rocking brother, always learn something by watching your vids, I'm working on mimicking bagpipes on an A Suzuki, difficult but really rewarding 👍

[@matthewpalermo1134]

great video Jason I love when you talk that language love Carlos dejunco too

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

that's amazing

[@Learntheharmonica]

Love your playing in 12th :)

[@jasonricci]

Thanks bro!

[@pamalacrabtree1727]

Amazing lesson.93/93

[@rosstones1]

Oh cool. I'm gonna try this.

[@tonyvani]

Thanks for graciously sharing info. You explained 12th position nicely without all the theory mumbo jumbo. I don't live to far from Carlos Del Junco and see him often. Hope to catch you when your near Toronto sometime.

[@warrenfloyd1484]

If SKYNYRD had a harmonica player, it would have been awesome!👍

[@NostalgiaDigital]

thank you very much!

[@chipsellarole267]

Thank you thankyou, this is a killer position love it. Its like you just gave me the color purple.

[@blueshaker1000]

Loved the inspirational jazzy tones flowing out of that harp. thanks again.

[@bobleach7313]

Thanks so Much Jason and Happy Thanksgiving to you from Bob In the future-November 24, 2021

[@wealllame]

I really dont understand all that music theory but it sure sounds interesting..

[@harpman2009]

I started Learning 12th Position years ago from Chris Michaleks Vidoes, Now use them a lot, especially on more Jazz/ soul tunes like 'Isnt she lovely', or 'Georgia'.. Tried to convince other harp players to look into it, but many not interested; stuck in their crossharp ways i guess. There are some good high notes available also Go for it!!

[@jasonricci]

Yes Sir! He was a friend of mine!

[@woelneberg]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@Rudzaki20]

oh, that's nice! Thank you, Jason!

[@zachvanslyke4341]

Hello Mr. Mooncat, hope u all good. I stumbled on a similar method for harp selection that you use that also "makes sense;" dude on a blog says he thinks of 12th as "reverse cross harp" and that's how he picks his harp..... in cross if the root is g we use a c harp/in 12th if the root is c we use a g harp.... in cross if the root is e we use an a harp/in 12th if the root is a we use an e harp.... cross the root is d we use g harp, 12th the root is g we use a d harp....I'm pretty sure someone has already turned you on to this mental association, but thought I'd pass it along just in case, it's kinda of an easy mental association. Peace sir have a great day

[@kerryc5821]

Damn that's awesome. FYI, your 1st position stuff sounds great too.

[@frogtownroad9104]

12th also works well with BB King like blues. The pentatonic scale is right there and as long about you can overblow 4 and 6 you're good.

[@alextrendler]

Jason, I'm believe it's called "First Flat" because it corresponds to the 12th position representing the key signature with only one (the first) flatted note: F Major, represented by a clef with Bb. So it may be easier to select your harmonica by thinking of 12th position as 2nd position in the opposite direction.

[@janpeters-jansongsproducti1010]

man you're such a wonderful teacher and player - thank you Jason!

[@jasonricci]

Thanks for watching Jan! It's my pleasure Sir!

[@janpeters-jansongsproducti1010]

:)! say while you're here, if ya still are (I know you move fast), the overblow note is exactly which hole which way? I've not yet achieved one so I'm still a bit confused which hole is going which way to get that G note up there...if I know that, I have a clear goal there.

[@janpeters-jansongsproducti1010]

be fun to do a Skype session with you some time if you still do those. I play mostly Irish tunes so far and some decent even if rudimentary blues.

[@janpeters-jansongsproducti1010]

K I figured it out I think. Its the 6 hole that needs to be bent up to that G note. Sorry to be blabbin here!

[@mikeziemba8892]

I think Levy calls it' "1st flat" because relative to C harp, "1st flat" is key of F, with one flat (Bb). So move one step to left from key of C in the circle of 5ths. Root is 2 draw whole step bend just as a mooncat shows..

[@guillermoharmonica5510]

That's a great explanation!

[@jasonricci]

There it is!

[@jerryvan6153]

Position Designation of Tonic Note
www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/Positions.html
www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/CircleOfFifths.html

[@bostevens236]

You're rad dude

[@airmojo]

Great lesson Jason! I've been wanting to learn 12th for a long time... I really need to spend more time on it... Carlos del Junco's song "River II" is one of my favorite songs to listen to... I think it's in E major and he switches from a B harp in 12th to an A harp in 2nd, which gets me confused... working on this lesson with the major scale and hearing you plan will definitely help!
Ken H in Ohio

[@howlinhoward]

Beautiful tune by Carlos. That one can really get 12th position in your head.

[@ScottMcCulloughBmax419]

Thank you, Jason! I've stumbled into 12th several times, but I've never been able to hit it deliberately. I can see where it would be cool for melodic country songs, where I'd normally play in 1st. Off to woodshed....

[@Pleasum]

Not sure on this but I am guessing the reason Howard calls it 1st flat is because its the 1st note/key just before or after (depending upon how you look at it) on the circle of 5ths. So, Key of D harp (tonic), G is 12th position. G is the key just before or after D on the circle. Not sure, but just a thought. Great video as always Jason.

[@carriemacfarlane407]

Hey Jason! My hubs & I followed you and New Blood all over CA & Nevada. Made you guys Christmas cookies when you were at Biscuits & Blues. So grateful you're on the recovery road. Miss you guys a lot! Is Shawn Starsky around? Take care my friend. Yes, I've prayed for you.

[@jasonricci]

5alked to shawn a few months ago! Loved those cookies!!!

[@eyefry]

Such a good lesson. Thanks, man.

[@davidszabo74]

Cool video and nice melodies with the jam track! To me, the other name of this position - first flat - seems quite logical. On a C harp 12th position is F major, which has one flat in the notation.

[@frogtownroad9104]

Oh fuck yeah!

[@jerryvan6153]

LOL I wish i didnt come up empty handed when searchin both songs you suggested at like 18:00... what you teach is there but, PLEASE .....reference them tunes bra!!!.. or link em ????
DUDE!! you really do help inspire me. !!!

[@jasonricci]

ua-cam.com/video/1rePmSFHfh0/v-deo.html

[@jasonricci]

ua-cam.com/video/_kmQ3Z8UGeI/v-deo.html

[@littledre]

Wow what a cool video to find! Simple major scale approach too! I wounder how your feel on 12th pos changed by now is it major stuff on low harp or something else?

[@ricketyrawd]

bro you look and sound better keep it up!$$

[@jasonricci]

Awe thanks my friend!!!!!!

[@pamalacrabtree1727]

Like , share and subscribe. Thank you.🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈🐈🐈

[@jasonricci]

Thanks all

[@juke1208]

just go to the 5 of the key ? D-,G A-- Big Fan here -

[@michaelrubinharmonic]

Dear Jason, 4 minutes in, glad you are doing this. However, you made a mistake. At 4 minutes in you say to play in F you would use a B flat harp for cross harp. Go up a whole step and play on a C# or Db harp for 12th. Your method is fine but your use of whole steps is wrong. Since there is no black key between B and C, a whole step up from Bb is C, therefore you use a C harp to play in the key of F in 12th position.

[@jasonricci]

oops Thanks!

[@jasonricci]

Definitely would of noticed when I started playing!

[@johncracker5217]

He calls it first flat I’m assuming because it’s the first position going down the circle of fifths???

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Man that sounds really cool I have trouble hitting that 3 draw whole step prebend,need to do better for third position anyhow to nail the fifth from the sixth.

[@jasonricci]

its totally tricky...I kinda had to fall in love with the weird sound of it in order to hit most the time.

[@k.rock1016]

Is it always the same 2draw dbl bend 2draw bend 3 dbl bend 3 draw 1/2 step 4 blow 4 draw 5 blow 5draw no matter the key your in ?

[@jasonricci]

Yes! As long as you select the right harp for 12th!

[@adamwest6536]

Absolutely stoked to work on my black belt Jason! Here is the Heidi and the El cats recording!
ua-cam.com/video/2rZ3R6mDdk4/v-deo.html

[@wealllame]

Is playing a position just a way to limit your set of tones so it makes more sense?

[@jasonricci]

Each position offers new ways of getting the same notes. Some scales or chord changes may be easier or sound better in different positions. Good question!

[@SteveVoros]

If anyone's interested, here's the link for the backing track:
ua-cam.com/video/EeSmeSFrbtY/v-deo.html

[@jasonricci]

Thank you Steve!

[@garysellars8914]

Great playing and ideas Jason that sounds sweet as anything. You never got back to me with my question i asked about setting the harps for OB's. I asked do you find the lower key harps harder to OB on? I find harps like C, D, are so much easier to do it on whereas the #4 OB on the A harps is hard to get unless i have the reed so close that it then jams for the regular note. I asked too about how do you replace reeds? Do you have special tools to do it or do you get someone else to do it for you? In setting your harps for OB's do you find that setting the reeds close compromises the ordinary note as compared to if you have a higher action? Sorry for all the questions Jason but i don't have anyone else to ask!

[@jasonricci]

HEY What video was that question asked on? Because I know I answered it...maybe I didn't hit enter after...can you check for me because I can't remember which vid...

[@garysellars8914]

I sent you an email about it 'cos you said if i wanted the answer sooner to mail you. But i think you went away gigging and were busy at the time. It was on the one where you were answering all the questions and i was logged in on an account i don't have any more.

[@guillermoharmonica5510]

Hi Gary!
Take this response as from someone who is starting learning to master overblows talking about his experience, no more nor less.
Defenitely it could be harder to overblow on lower harps, but once you get used to it, it can just get as easy as in higher harps, an din fact overblowing in lower harps makes easier to overblow on the higher ones.
The adjustment on the action is tricky, it may vary from harp to harp. The best I'm learning is just experiment to close the action to get the blow and draw notes clearly, and then try the overblows. And excercise the 'easy' oveblow, that is when you do it from the draw bkow to the overblow, then mantain it and try to 'remember' the position in your mouth.
Another part of of it is how you handle your stream of air, it has to come from the diaphragm, and in lower harps you have to push a little more.
In a couple of weeks I'm going to have an E LOW harmonica for the first time, so I wlll really challenge al the things I'm telling you here :)
These days I'm overblowing on a G Low harp, and right now I learnt to handle it pretty well.
If you want I can get back to you about me experience.
Sorry Gary & Jason for meddling in the conversation!

[@jasonricci]

Hey Garry: Yeah man, It can be harder on lower harps but like Guillermo said it gets easier, its just like bending really...it gets easier as it goes, is harder on lower harps at first and sometimes hard on high harps....I think in your last question you also asked me if you should just not bother that it was frustrating etc...I said yeah...don't bother if it's too frustrating there is a TON of stuff to do without overblowing... I use to replace reeds myself when I played honers it's pretty easy there are a lot of cool new tools out there for that...I don't anymore because Suzuki's are spot welded...it can of course be done but it's harder and you need more involved tools. I send them to Joe Spiers now if they can't be tuned up anymore. Thanks!

[@garysellars8914]

Thanks Jason appreciate it. On my A harp i put a little tiny crimp (best way i can describe it) in my #10 draw reed. I did it while setting it up for OD's. It's fine and plays great but i was thinking i might need to replace it sometime. Seems a shame to ditch a whole reed plate for one reed. You need to watch those high reeds they're so short and tight it's easy to put a deformation in them if you just lean on it a bit too much. Richard Sleigh has a great jig for replacing reeds but it's expensive for just the odd repair.

[@johnmitchell162]

Boy o' boy
How high is your bar or do you have one?
I am so far away.
luvin' it

[@jasonricci]

You got this John!

[@guillermoharmonica5510]

Hi Jason great video as always!
Maybe this is a (very) stupid question but.... do you have some sort of bad experience or sentiment towards Howard Levy?
Either way, keep up you're an inspiration.

[@jasonricci]

No none at all! WHY?

[@guillermoharmonica5510]

It WAS a stupid question sorry, I just kind of sense something clearly I was wrong!!... forget about it. As we say in Argentina un abrazo.

[@guillermoharmonica5510]

I don't understand either why he calls it 2nd flat position!

[@BoazKimMusic]

Hey Jason. I am pretty sure Howard Levy calls it first flat position because 12th position on a C harp is F (major). F major has only 1 flat in the key signature (Bb).
Thanks for the videos!

[@emilehobo]

I thought he might be referring to a weird explanation of the circle of fifths, so I looked it up. The circle of fifths according to its (to my opinion bullshit) theory says that every next step (position) it adds a sharp.
Next page of my (racist) book “Eenvoudige Algemene Muziekleer” by Bernard Nelleke, it says that if you use a CIRCLE OF FOURTHS, every position adds a flat. Second position on the circle of fourths equals the twelfth of the circle of fifths, other than that it bears no relation to it, really. Relatively speaking to C on the circle of fourths second position or one flat is F.
I don’t really get these theories. On the circle of fifths it says that if you add a sharp to C#, it doesn’t become D, but C## (C-sharp-sharp). See me not getting it.

[@matthewpalermo1134]

would you say that Dennis Greunling plays alot in 12th ????? wonderin

[@jasonricci]

Not a lot but he definitely does!

[@steveelim]

4:02 A whole step from Bb is C not C# or Db

[@jasonricci]

Yeah you right

[@warrenfloyd1484]

3X4 is 12,lol😁👍

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Jason from a Bb to a C# is step and a half it would be a C simple mistake.

[@jasonricci]

I put in the correction a week ago..Did it not show up on your feed? There should of been a little bubble that popped up saying pretty much just that....I don't always trust these after edits! Thanks!

[@OlleMattsson]

17:10 lfmao :D

[@johnnygorena5318]

Where can I find these backing tracks

[@jasonricci]

I normally include them below in the description box in every video. For some reason I missed this one. Sorry! Although, If you search D major backing tracks you'll most likely find these and more! ❤️

[@johnnygorena5318]

@@jasonricci Jason I don’t know if this is how you explained how to find the key you need to play 12th but I do it like this.
If the song is in F what key would you be playing in 2nd position if you had a F harp in your hand? Well that plays C.., so the C, harp is what you would use to play the 12th position. Anyhow thanks Jason I’ve been following your career since 2002 2003ish I was giving lessons to someone from Edinburg Texas I live in McAllen Texas way down south but used to live in Houston anyhow he turned me on to you.., then shortly after I purchased the album of yours that has the song Sanja I know I’m not spelling that right but you get it.!! You are very special individual who the harmonica community really appreciates because of your humbleness and your willingness to make yourself accessible- may God keep you safe always. Peace
My name is JohnnyG

[@mikelawct]

meow