Straight harp is the sound of the major key, happy, folk, campfire, Civil War songs, Irish fiddle tunes, and lots of straight-ahead melody playing. In cross harp, or second position, you’re playing in the key of G on a C harmonica, and the low octave scale is -2 -3″ -3 4 -4 5 -5 6.
Why is it called cross harp?
This is because by playing the C harmonica in G, or A harmonica in E, the dominant or seventh chord is produced in place of the tonic chord, and in the blues, all chords are typically played as dominant (seventh or ninth) chords. This is playing in 2nd position, called “cross harp.”.
What does it mean to play cross harp?
Cross Harp is a common expression used to describe the way the diatonic Richter harmonica (blues harp) is most often played in a blues context. It means that instead of playing the harp in the major key to which it’s tuned, where the blow chord provides the tonal center, you take the draw chord as your starting point.
What is 2nd position cross harp?
2nd Position (Cross Harp), is a Blues scale that offers a more expressive and soulful sound. Many of the draw reeds can be bent (a technique used to change the pitch of a note.)Jun 26, 2021.
What key of harmonica should I get to play with guitar?
The guitar’s natural key is E; so buying a diatonic harmonica in the key of E major would be ideal. The other diatonic harmonicas you should aim to add to your collection is G major and C major.
What is second position on C harmonica?
On a C tuned harp, second position would be in G. This is the most commonly used position for playing blues, rock and country. This position consists of mostly draw notes on the low end of the harmonica (holes 1 through 5) and it is important to master bending to play in this position.
What is 3rd position on harmonica?
What is 3rd position? 3rd position allows you to play in a minor key on harmonica. The root note in 3rd position is the 1 draw or the 4 draw. It is not exactly the same shape as 2nd position but is quite similar if you start on the 4 draw.
What are the cross harp keys?
Cross harp is a system where a diatonic harmonica tuned to a key a fourth (five half steps) higher than the song’s key is used. For example, for a song in the key of G, a diatonic C harmonica would be used.
Can you tune a harmonica?
Harmonicas can go out of tune with playing, and even new harps straight from the factory aren’t always in good tune. But you don’t have to accept what you get — you can correct out-of-tune notes. Harmonica tuning follows straightforward procedures, but it has some ins and outs that you need to know.
What is 1st position?
In the first position, the heels are together, with toes turned out until the feet are in a straight line. In the fifth position, the feet are turned out and pressed closely together, the heel of the one foot against the toe of the other.
What is the easiest harmonica to play?
The Best Harmonicas for Beginners, According to Harmonicists Hohner Special 20 Harmonica Bundle, Major C. $48. Lee Oskar Harmonica, Key of C, Major Diatonic. $44. Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Key of C. Hohner Golden Melody Harmonica, Key of C. SEYDEL Blues Classic 1847 Harmonica C. Hohner Super Chromonica Deluxe, Key of C.
Which harmonica key is best for blues?
It’s best to get a harmonica tuned to the key of C if you’re just starting out. You’ll be able to play up to 3 octaves on a C major scale. Many of the songs you will learn are also tuned to the key of C. Most blues harmonicas are played in what’s called a “second position” or also known as a “cross harp”.
Is harmonica harder than guitar?
When it comes down to it, harmonica vs guitar difficulty are about the same. Breathing is going to be more difficult for harmonica because it’s a wind instrument but fingers and dexterity are going to be more difficult with guitar because of the string instrument that you play with your hands.
What key of harmonica does Bob Dylan use?
The Dylan Signature Series harmonica is tuned to the key of C.
What key harmonica is heart of gold?
You will need a harmonica in the key of G, and we will be playing in 1st position in the key of G.
What is key of C in harmonica?
Which key is it in? Your harmonica is technically in C, but you can play a different type of scale in the key of G. The natural position of the harmonica (in this case, the key of C) is called first position or straight harp. Second position, or cross harp, is the key a fifth up from first position (G).
What is the most common key for a harmonica?
In other analyses of popular music keys (albeit usually with much smaller datasets) C major has been shown to be the most widely used key by a significant margin. G major has usually been a distant second – often around half as frequently used as C major.
What is the third position of a scale?
Major Scale in Third Position The root of the scale is marked in red. This pattern begins on the third note of the major scale. So, if you were playing a G major scale – traditionally played starting on the third fret of the sixth string – you’d begin this pattern at the seventh fret at the note B.