What are positions on harmonica?

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This video explains a little about positions: what they are, and what the most common and useful positions are. If you'd like to delve into more theory, check out my premium course Music Theory for Harmonica Players: www.learntheharmonica.com/pro...
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I have lots more lessons on harmonica technique in this playlist: • Harmonica Techniques

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup

[@neslesman6708]

Easily explained. So refreshing. Thank you.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NoirFan01]

The second position sent my cat running to the other room

[@The_Pariah]

Time to get a dog.

[@gavink2518]

Nice work. Helped me fill in some gaps! Appreciate it. Keep up the simple explanations of somewhat complex theories.

[@Learntheharmonica]

I'm glad it helped, Gavin. Cheers! Liam

[@referee2468]

Thank you Liam best explanation I have seen, many thanks.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad it helped!

[@robertobayestorffheberle9200]

You are a great professor! Thank you.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Cheers Roberto! :)

[@lindseyvillamor4924]

These are the best harmonica lessons I have ever took

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks Lindsey!

[@tonydailide1429]

Good simple explanation Liam.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad you liked it Tony!

[@petermannix8311]

Great explanation - especially the major and minor notes and their combos by position cheers from NZ

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad it was helpful, Peter!

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

WOW,,, I couldn't get my head wrapped around this. 1st 2nd 3rd positions but you my harmonica friend made it very easy for me to understand.. 😊 thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks, glad it helped! 😎

[@andrebrazleite2777]

Really clear!! thanks for sharing this

[@Learntheharmonica]

My pleasure!

[@hawgman63]

Thank you for your videos they are a great help !!!!!

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're very welcome! Cheers. Liam

[@Tyler-wt2uo]

Great video. Keep up the good vids!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks! Liam

[@60stedman]

Thanks for this Liam. The clearest explanation about positions I've heard.

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're very welcome Trevor :)

[@evandavies4049]

Know thats how to make that crystal clear in one lessson nice one liam

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're welcome Evan, thanks for watching :)

[@phoebelala]

Spectacular, a great help. Thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

No problem 😎

[@corky1548]

Brilliant 👏

[@mikehardy6248]

I'm trying to understand this harmonica stuff people go real fast and don't explain stuff this was the first video that explained the position and now i understand so thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're very welcome Mike, I'm glad it helped 😎

[@allenhawker3911]

Thanks Liam! Your a great teacher and at explaining things. As a beginner I couldn’t grasp the playing in different keys thing. But this video finally made me understand what it means and how it works. A lot of beginner type videos I run across seem more for if you have a lot of music knowledge already. You really explain things well. Thanks again! Now I need to find a video from you about bending notes. I just can’t get it down yet. Frustrating….Ugggh!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Glad it helped! We all learn in different ways so I'm glad this explanation made sense for you. I have lots of bending videos, check them out!

[@geoffleach5390]

Have valved note systems explained would be advantageous as well. Thanx.

[@lamper2]

I learned just find what key your band or the band is playing in, then choose a harp tuned to the subdominant of that key e.g. band is in E you grab an A. this is second position or crossharp but I need to learn third and fourth now.

[@KerinGedge]

Hey Liam, still trying to get my head around positions! As you might have guessed I've been mostly a first position guy for forever! But am trying to expand my knowledge and experience... The thing I'm struggling with at the moment is I notice most guys like yourself talk about the 2nd position as being based on the fifth note of the scale your harmonica is in... i.e. 2nd position for a C harmonica would be in the key of G... but then I notice that instead of playing the G major scale you go on to play a more bluesy scale than the standard major scale... which is where I'm getting confused... does the scale in the 2nd position have to be a blues scale for it to be called 2nd position or can it be a more melodic major scale as well and still be "2nd position"?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hey Kerin, so positions and scales are separate things. You can play major or minor in 2nd position. It just so happens that 2nd position works really well for blues :)

[@KerinGedge]

@@Learntheharmonica Awesome, thanks! I had made a Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Tutorial in 2nd Position and started second guessing myself ;)

[@economicsmurali6557]

Superb

[@lawnorder6804]

Best explanation I've heard. Still not crystal clear, but that just my newness. I now understand the point of positions (ie. Playing multiple keys on a single harmonica and creating tonal 'feels'). Secondly, it is understood how to locate the key of the positions and relationship to specific holes. It seems the only part I'm still not getting is how to play scales based upon 1st, 2nd and 3rd pistons. Is it a set mapping for each of the three basic positions? Thank you Liam for finally bringing clarity. I've listened to four, or five, different professor's explanation and this is the first that spoke my language. 'Different strokes for different folks.' You were kind enough to be my stroke. Let's humor ourselves and attribute it to genius. Well wishes...

[@Learntheharmonica]

Lol, thanks for humouring me! I don't know if I completely understand your question - can you try rephrasing it? Cheers. Liam

[@lawnorder6804]

Thanks Liam,.. Rephrased my question is, what is the first position scale, second, third.... The actual holes, blow or draw? Would make a great video lesson. Eg. 2nd position (Blues) is -2 -3' 4 4' -4 -5 6…what is major 1st and minor 3rd?

[@AhtoNajeebRashied]

Liked. Subscribed. Notifications on. Thank you

[@Learntheharmonica]

Awesome, thank you!

[@geoffleach5390]

Can you guys go into bends and draw bends on half valved harmonicas?

[@siddhi1403]

Please make a tutorial for 'a piece of my heart' by Janis Joplin

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for the request!

[@raccoon6072]

Well explained, yet i have question. To play blues on a c-harmonica it's done in 2nd position, in G, 5th note on the scale. What if I want to play blues on let's a d-harmonica. Do still play it in 2nd position/5th note/A note?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi raccoon, yes that's correct. You can play blues in the key of A, on a D harmonica in 2nd position. Cheers! Liam

[@rjp63vip]

What holes are the home tone for the 1position? Great lesson .... I love it! Hey do you do any lessons on harps tuned in the minor keys? I'm a newbie please be patient with me. Thank you! I also enjoyed your single note lesson! I can play happy birthday now slowly . Harp on! 😎😎😎

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks Roylin, I'm glad you like my lessons! For 1st position, the tonic 'home note' is 1 blow, 4 blow, 7 blow, 10 blow. I have a few minor key harp lessons here: kzbin.info/aero/PLKONji9dlomQV-qlYh3EAIUtlEVZW9hDp

[@jerrycapanear7117]

I'm a beginner my self, I can play Tapps, so far. and getting the God father soon..

[@jorgealmeida71]

Hello Liam, quick doubt, from my music theory knowledge this positions are very related to the cicle of fifths, but that got me think, once you go to 2nd position (G), within the G harmony we have F# which is not in a C harmonica, so how does that work? I dont really get the difference between the positions apart from merely which note is represented by a different number. Thanks!

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Jorge, yes G contains the F# which you don't have on a C harmonica, but that's the whole point: 2nd position is useful for blues because you want the flattened seventh (F) to play over a G7 chord (G B D F). It's all about context. Does that make sense? Cheers. Liam

[@jorgealmeida71]

@@Learntheharmonica oh i get it know! makes total sense! very cool, thanks a lot man! huge fan :D

[@dottorstranamore4150]

Will you make national anthems for harmonica?

[@joeshurtleff7986]

theres also a relative minor scale (6) on 6 hole draw that I use a lot, not sure what position that is though

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yep that's 4th position (a fifth up from 3rd position).

[@teeorgan1]

I need a diatonic harmonica to improve myself. I've been using tremolo harmonica and its limiting me. Diatonic & chromatic harmonica are not in musical store here in Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@billychan4633]

[@nvdawahyaify]

Thank you. Do you know why second position is second? Or why third isn't called second? It's the second one i figured out after first position.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Michael, it's related to the circle of fifths. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naCQfKmiq62MjJo

[@nvdawahyaify]

@@Learntheharmonica thank you. I didn't even think of it's relation to the circle of fifths. I really do appreciate you and your channel.

[@HectorSuxxx69]

Would this be comparable to musical modes?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yes there's a crossover, but technically positions are just a way of saying what key you're playing in relative to the key of the harmonica. It depends on what notes you actually choose to play. E.g. If you go for 3rd position on a C harp, you could play in Dm or Dorian. I hope that makes sense? Cheers. Liam

[@uncledanni9352]

I don’t get how you do it. How do you make it sound like a whole other key?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Uncledanni, it's about note selection. It's possible (but difficult) to play chromatically on a diatonic harmonica, so all the notes for all keys are available with the right techniques (bending, overbending). So playing in different positions just utilises some of those extra notes to play in different keys. It's also about context: 2nd position works for blues because you want the dominant seventh chord (G7 is G, B, D, F) rather than the major seventh (F#). Does this make sense? Cheers. Liam

[@justaweeb9086]

Can you tell us what kinds of scales we need to know to play these positions? Nobody's really explains that

[@Learntheharmonica]

I have a video about playing scales, I hope it helps! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYTaimNmj5tqrZI

[@WieseCoaching]

Great video but I'm still very confused. So the difference is just that we play different notes...or..what? Why do we need a position for that and don't just play whatever notes are there... Also why do we play c harp second position instead of g harp first position? Wouldn't that be the same...? I'll definitely check out your course, thanks a lot

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Philipp, it's all about context. Diatonic harmonicas have "missing" notes so they're limited in what they can play without fancy techniques to fill in the gaps. G harp has the G major scale (including the F# note) but blues isn't based on major scales, whereas a C harp has the F note (flattened seventh degree of the G scale) so it's closer to a "blues sound" in G. There are also stylistic choices. For example, 12th position may be used for major melodies because the placing of the notes allows for more expressive bending than 1st (even though 1st has all the "required" notes).

[@WieseCoaching]

@@Learntheharmonica Thanks a lot that makes much more sense now.

[@BBloggsbott]

Great video. I'm no expert but I think wearing a shirt that is not the same color as your wall might help with the background replacement issue near your neck. This is just a guess

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for watching! Remember to ‘Subscribe’ and click the bell to get all my free lessons :)

[@deandreparker4161]

you prolly dont care at all but does anyone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost the login password. I would love any assistance you can give me!

[@jordandarian4105]

@Deandre Parker instablaster ;)

[@deandreparker4161]

@Jordan Darian Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@deandreparker4161]

@Jordan Darian it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my ass :D

[@jordandarian4105]

@Deandre Parker Happy to help =)

[@edmulvey9458]

still confuse by positions. As example you say first position is playing in the key of the harmonica. OK so I have a C harmonica what does it mean to play in C? I have listened to countless videos and they all leave me just as confused. When you say I play in key of C , exactly what does that mean? Where is the C note(s)? I just dont get it. Thanks

[@Learntheharmonica]

The C notes on a C harmonica are holes 1/4/7/10 blow. You can play the C major scale like this: 4 -4 5 -5 6 -6 -7 7

[@edmulvey9458]

Thanks Ed

[@lindseyvillamor4924]

Can I play this on key A harmonica

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Lindsey, you can follow my harmonica lessons with any key. Here's a bit more info - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn2wqWicnpp0rtE

[@lindseyvillamor4924]

Okay

[@HarPlayer]

Let’s see The notes on a (C) Harmonica Blow n draw corresponds to the ( position) you want to play???

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi James, a "position" is just the tonal centre of the key you're playing in. It doesn't tell you which holes to blow or draw. For example, 2nd position just means that the tonal centre is 2 draw / 6 blow / 9 blow.

[@Justin_9423]

So the harmonica positions are based on the circle of 5ths then?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Justin, well yes they're connected :)

[@Learntheharmonica]

To clarify, the circle of fifths is a reference tool to check the number of sharps and flats that are in the scale of any given key. It was not invented for harmonica players specifically, but it happens to be a useful tool for checking harmonica positions.

[@GhostScout42]

12th position is easy. seems like its the opposite of 2nd somehow? i dunno. im just playing what sounds okay with the harps i have

[@jesicaalvarado865]

Ok ok I think it just clicked. The positions. Now if I have a bflat harmonica wanting to play in cm...I'm playing scales. Right. So only the notes in the scale. No. Ugh I'm at a point where I learned so quick and now I'm stuck at this place

[@user-gj6fc4jy3k]

Isn't that 3rd position is Dm or F?

[@Learntheharmonica]

3rd position on a C harmonica is the key of D (major or minor depending on how you choose to play).

[@davejackson6929]

Thank again for a great video Liam. Ignore the thumbs down. It must have been an idiot. 👍

[@lunachicolobo]

AWESOME VIDEO. GREAT INSTRUCTIONS. GOOD WORK SON.

[@rodrodriguez460]

You need to use the correct terms: Major and minor. The key of d, in 3rd position, is called "d minor" (lower case letters). If you say "d", musicians will think you mean the key of D Major.

[@Learntheharmonica]

It's important to remember that you can play both major and minor in 3rd position. The position itself is just the tonal centre of the song, not the character or note choices. So 3rd position on a C harp doesn't "equal" D minor.

[@rodrodriguez460]

@@Learntheharmonica In reality, with practice the chromatic scale can be played right along with the Church Modes. By "tonal center", I guess you mean tonic and "character" you mean mode or key. "So 3rd position on a C harp doesn't "equal [d] minor". It actually equals Dorian Mode starting on pitch "d" or second scale degree of the C Major Scale. The key would still be C Major. Consider: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. All can be played on the diatonic harmonica.

[@piecetoyou8285]

Its a shame that when you describe scales or when your playing notes you don`t place a computer graphic of an harmonica with the holes facing us and as you play or explain a little red dot bounces along the blow holes, This could really help people like me who have hard in understanding how your coming across, I love the sound and coolness of the harmonica being seen in the old western films, But as I have a reasoning issue I find what your teaching is confusing with out some sort of moving diagram like I explained above,

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I think you might like my play-along lessons: kzbin.info/aero/PLKONji9dlomQk4-N99WHeKllgPfdG-4U7

[@piecetoyou8285]

@@Learntheharmonica Thank you 👍

[@HarPlayer]

Why is his nose n upper lip red????

[@alejandrotaparello6437]

Please traducción en español,🙏

[@darkgreninja8349]

no

[@helenearle5801]

I am 80 to a woman am I to

[@oliver704521]

I'm a BEGINNER I didn't understand like the others

[@jesicaalvarado865]

Feeling frustrated and not getting anywhere I don't want it to stop me

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Jesica, I don't want you to be discouraged! Can I ask why you want to know about positions? Perhaps it's too early for you to be worrying about positions if you are a just a beginner trying to play some songs.

[@helenearle5801]

I am an 82-year-old woman am I too old to learn

[@Learntheharmonica]

It's never too late to learn. Go for it! Cheers. Liam

[@MGDCrown559]

Is there anywhere I can just see the 12 positions typed out. Which blow, which draw. and why is 4th position the 3 draw? What position is the 3 draw? this is so damned confusing I have played harmonica for 44 years but this crap is greek. All I need to know is what are all the positions and what note they produce.

[@BrotherThadeus]

just FYI - for someone with whatever my learning disability is, this was useless. I would say that it was not informative, but declarative. This is first position, it is bright. {play music} This is second position which is equally important. {play music} Here's third --- NOPE, I didn't learn *anything* about the first two and now you want to mention the third?? Useless for some

[@Learntheharmonica]

ah sorry to hear that. Hope you find a good resource that will be helpful for you. All the best,

[@piecetoyou8285]

I think I am tone deaf I just can`t get the correct retherm out, it sounds like a child is puffing and blowing on the dam thing, Do we have to know how to read music notes for us to be able to play a known tune or could we learn by ear, Also why do the dam lips keep dragging behind and playing several notes in one ,and how are you making a single note sounding as if it goes up and down so fast and it sounds smooth,

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi piece toyou, thanks for commenting. I have a few suggestions for you: How to breathe properly - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnasYpWjorV6mLM How to play single notes - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5yol62YYpijf68 How to mooth smoothly between notes - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJu2dGiVpMuXqMk Do you have to read music? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6K5mnl9gtaGiLM I hope these videos help you. Cheers! Liam

[@kaustubhtamane4420]

not really clear to me.. Need lil more simplified explaination..

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Kaustubh, is there a certain part you didn't understand so I can try to clarify it for you? Cheers. Liam

[@lurereviews5164]

You should grow a beard, it would fit you well

[@TomBrooklyn]

More BS on positions. Either positions don't exist, or no one knows how to explain them.