I just came across this video by Blue Third Music on Youtube which I really like.
I’ve got a soft spot for Stone Fox Chase anyway as it was one of the songs I practised a lot in the early days. Also it is forever associated with the excellent UK TV music show called ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ which featured interesting and diverse musical performers and used Stone Fox Chase as the theme at the start of the show.
What grabbed me with this vid was primarily the unexpected and tasty start on the high end of the harp in position A, then a linking lick into position B and finally into position C.
It took me a little while to sort out the harp key and the positions he was playing.
It highlighted for me the usefulness of selecting alternative positions to produce a different flavour and playing style on a song.
For a bit of fun can you pick out the harp key and positions A,B & C?
Sounds like a C harp in 1st, 3rd, and 2nd. I liked his playing in all three positions. I doubt I could play it in all three positions as cleanly as he did. His control of bends is great! ----------
You are probably correct about 4th vs. 1st since the song melody uses a minor scale which is easier in 4th.
I sometimes confuse those two blow note based positions (1st and 4th) when just listening as they use the same notes and start at different places. 3rd and 2nd I find easier to distinguish by ear alone.
It can be easy to confuse since 4th position is the relative minor to 1st position major. Play your 1st position major scale but start on 3 draw whole step bend and end on 6 draw and you're in 4th!!!
Major Scale (1st Position / Any Harmonica) +4 -4 +5 -5 +6 -6 -7 +7 +7 -8 +8 -9 +9 -10 '10 +10
Relative Minor Scale (4th Position / Any Harmonica) "3 -3 +4 -4 +5 -5 +6 -6 -6 -7 +7 -8 +8 -9 +9 -10
If you listen closely you can hear him really "land" on that 3 draw whole step bend from 0:16-0:18. That pretty much gave it away to my ears.
@greyowl
Thanks for sharing the video. Cool thread, fun exercise, and good catalyst for discussion on position playing! ---------- Ridge's YouTube
Kudos guys for working out the positions without a harp in hand!
Yes it's 4th, 3rd and 2nd on a C Harp
I liked the 4th position a lot because I don't often venture up on the higher end. The lovely expressiveness on the blow bends on this song has whetted my appetite to experiment further.
