What is 2nd Position/Cross Harp on Harmonica? | Positions Lesson for Blues Harmonica

[@Learntheharmonica]

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[@drivethelightning]

when you say 2nd position lends itself to blues, do you mean specifically on a C harp or in all keys?

[@AbcAbc-zn8uo]

Great lesson! What do you think about this kind of lesson about 1st, 3rd or 12th position?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Great idea!

[@uripmargono946]

Thank you so much for this enlightening video brorher.

[@javiercarabias]

Great video Tom

[@miarosie]

Tom?

[@jimbrown5552]

Watching from Ireland

[@samuelsukenik5008]

Hello Liam, another great video, will be something about 3rd position?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hopefully one day!

[@chriscook215]

Thanks

[@chankeenseng7082]

thank you teacher

[@Learntheharmonica]

You're welcome!

[@terrysogaugetrains]

Hi I just found & subscribed. I was wondering if could do a video on transcribing standard sheet music to harmonica tab?

[@botvenikmikail-qv6od]

Nice

[@Learntheharmonica]

Cheers

[@greggilmour7671]

Going the other way I count up a 4th. So in the key of G I count up 4 to find the harmonica I need is C.

[@jimbrown5552]

I am back playing harmonica with my band after my stroke

[@prebenhektoenwahlvag5689]

Love to hear it Jim!

[@romaingenest3493]

hi, i have a question about the natural minor harmonica. wich key is the best for learn ? i want buy some lee oscar natural minor harmonica but i don't know if the Em or the Am is the best for begining. thank for you answer. byebye

[@spidey3759]

I have a question. What means that i have d on my harmonica?

[@j.d.leslie8458]

Your harmonica is in the key of D. Which means second position is key of A. So, if you met up with your guitar buddy to play the blues, you would tell him to play in the key of A and you would be able to accompany him.

[@spidey3759]

@@j.d.leslie8458 and i just realized that its something like tromotola harmonica

[@j.d.leslie8458]

@@spidey3759 Then you should buy a regular 10 hole diatonic harmonica. Probably in the key of C to start off.

[@ВладимирПархоменко-с4м]

at the beginning of the video you play rocknroll music....give me the tabs

[@robcassie2549]

Hi Liam, This is all new to me. I understand that a C harp 2nd position is G. It goes up in 5ths, that I understand. What I’m not quite understanding is, if I play a song on a C harp in first position, then what notes do I play if I want to play the same song in 2nd position. I understand 2nd position is more bluesy, but I’m just not getting what notes to play if someone says play this song in 2nd position? If you already have the notes to play in 1st position, then how can you play different notes to get the same song? I hope this makes sense. If you can explain, that would be appreciated. Many thanks.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for the question. I'm not sure I understand what you're asking but I'll try my best to answer. The specific notes you play depend on the song, but basically you'd have to move the melody up a 5th (because, as you say, 2nd pos is up a 5th from 1st position). So if you were playing a C note in 1st (e.g. 4 blow) you would move than to a G note (6 blow). You'd move an E (5 blow) to B (7 draw) etc. You can work it out like that, or just find your starting note and then use your ears from there onwards. I hope this helps?

[@kevincarter4706]

@@Learntheharmonica Hi Liam Great video... I think he is getting a wha I would also like to know and the is how do I know I am playing in 2nd position.. do I play a 2 draw every 4h or 5th note or do I have to start with and end with a 2 draw ?? or do I only use notes from the blues scale...what defines 2nd position ? very hard to explain but hope you can help

[@TheAtheistworld]

Why it's called Cross? Why this name? Thnx brother ❤

[@idiotburns]

you are crossing the two keys together bro

[@djunab]

HI Liam, please can you this video make in German? Sorry, my English is not so good. But the theme is importend for my 😗🙃 I am a beginner of harmonica

[@Learntheharmonica]

I'm gonna have to learn German before I can do that (sorry!)

[@djunab]

​@@LearntheharmonicaIt's all right Liam 😀🤷‍♂️

[@colinhowell5916]

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[@MoonWho78]

turn those noises off for like and subscribe

[@ChromaticHarp]

Why even call it 2nd position? On every other instrument it’s called Mixolydian mode.

[@Learntheharmonica]

The best way to understand the names of positions is to think of the circle of fifths - clockwise from C to G is like going from the home key (1st position) to 2nd position - if you keep going round then you get 3rd, 4th etc all the way to 12th. It’s not technically right to call it the mixolydian mode because you can play any scale or mode in any position. If you play the minor scale starting on a 2 draw then that’s 2nd position but not mixolydian. It’s all about where the tonal centre of the instrument sits. On another instrument this would just be called playing the minor scale (in whatever key), not playing the mixolydian. We only talk about positions on harmonica because they are intended to be played in a specific key, so it’s a practical way of talking about the relationship between the intended key of the harp, and the new tonal centre we’re using it for - you don’t need to think in terms of positions but it can be useful for understanding what you’re doing or how to play a tune. Does this help explain things at all for you?

[@ChromaticHarp]

@@Learntheharmonica Good explanation, I’m aware of your points, your channel is excellent, And you are a fine player! I’m coming from a piano, guitar and chromatic harmonica-centric back ground, so I still think that way on diatonic, for instance, 12th position for Lydian 4 and 5th pos. 3rd for Dorian, 4th for natural minor (aeolian) etc. I realize with bends and over blows a lot more is possible. Thank you for your reply!

[@mewmew32]

terrible instruction. i know less than when i started