First position has been something I was aware existed, and sometimes tinkered with, until recently. After seeing John Nemeth rhe other night; and, thinking about Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza, and others; I realized how much "classic" blues is in first position. Trouble is; I think in second position. I am motivated now to learn first position; but, it is like starting over. It seems to be a completely different way of thinking about a song.It isn't just a different scale; but different phrasing as well. Any thoughts from you players who are comfortable in first position?
think of it as a different flavor and use it when YOU feel like it. Of course some of that blues stuff will call for 1st position... like Hoochie coochie man so be sure to use it then. But if you want to be a modern harp player, don't ever use it and stay away from 2nd too. :-)
Buddha, I understand what you are saying but would not the piece you are playing and how you want to play it dictate the best position to use? My thoughts would be to select the position that best fits musically with what you want to play. I'm not a "modern" player, not by a long shot having started over 55 years ago but with a 50 year break. All was in 1st pos then and having come back to the harp 3 years ago I found 2nd pos a struggle to learn ie it was like I was playing back to front/upside down to start & I'm still not completely there. However I find 3rd pos great and also am using 12th pos a bit. Does that make me 'modern'?
Aussie, what you are saying is more or less what I said. I was jesting for most of that post. Of course, it's always best to play appropriately and that's my personal approach but I also don't want people to to stay locked into 1st and 2nd position for all blues.
I rarely play 2nd for anything even blues, and when I play blues, I've been doing it in third.
What do you guys think of this use of the first position. It's a one-take vid...
I especially like this scale/position, because the 1 1/2 note interval is on the 3 hole (i.e. -3''' -3) I also like the +1 -1 +1* beginning and the overblows in the second octave (which still make me struggle).
Thats definitely 1st position- btw, I know this song and love it- one of charlie's bests. ---------- "Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
