What are positions on harmonica? (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc)

[@TomlinHarmonica]

✏ Get your FREE harmonica tab PDF and audio clips here 👉 foxly.link/qJB4p2

[@xkguy]

If you want to understand positions you should understand the 'circle of fifths'. C harp position 1, plays the key of C. G is a fifth up so the key of G is what you are playing in position 2, D is a fifth up from G so D is third position. A is a fifth up from D so ....etc. All this relates to the C harp. On an A harp playing second position would put you in the key of E etc. Flipping things around...to find the harp you need to play second position (to get that bluesy sound) count a forth up. So to play in G that would be GABC...so C is the correct harp for key of G to play in second position.

[@lizardking2716]

🤯😪

[@mikp7365]

Благодарю! Пересмотрел уйму видео, но лишь сейчас понял что такое позиции. Парадокс - объяснение от человека, чей язык я едва знаю, оказалось понятней десятка объясняющих видео на моем родном языке...

[@michaeldemeirleir]

This is so helpful... Especially the "you don't have to think about that too much... It's just something you need to accept...", which are (or were) exactly the things I was struggling with... Brilliant!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Phew :-)

[@ecosystemengineer]

Thank god that theres such a cool guy like you whos making understand the newbies like me how the harmonica works, thumbs up!

[@mossiberry]

How do you manage to play blues scale on 1st position in 5:37, does it need overblowing?

[@Conradbluzman]

My sincere compliments to your playing and your tutorials. Thank you for you commitment and dedication. You're and excellent educator.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you so much Conrad. I’m so glad you enjoy the lessons :-)

[@CasaErwin]

Since watching this video, I've done a lot of reading on positions. Turns out it is very difficult to explain them without getting pretty deep into music theory. However, I have discovered that without bends and overblows, all except the first position would really be in a modal key. First position is Ionian mode, aka major, 2nd position is Myxolidian mode with the tonic a perfect fifth above the Ionian tonic. 3rd position is Dorian mode with the tonic a perfect fifth above the Myxolidian tonic, 4th position is Aeolian mode, aka minor, with the tonic a perfect fifth above the Dorian tonic, and so forth. It also seems to me that of the 12 possible positions, numbers 7 thru 11 are completely useless. Do you know of anything at all that is played in any of those positions? I'm also not sure about positions 5 and 6. Even though I've never seen anything played in 5th of 6th position, they do represent valid modal keys (Phrygian and Locrian).

[@brianconnolly3267]

Thank you for this comment, a bonus after such a great video!

[@larrylee7188]

It sounds all Greek to me. I hope I can get by with just 3 positions. Lol

[@markc1234golf]

@@larrylee7188 i can play recorder, tenor , bass, a bit of sax, learned piano and i tell you i find this confusing myself ;) what i find hardest is trying not to get out of breath with the in and out... not an easy instrument but i am determined lol not being the youngest 59 and my playing days are 30 yrs ago ...

[@silkroad1201]

There's no such thing as "positions". It's all a bunch of garbage humans made up so they can understand it better, but sound waves don't give a shit about our "theories"

[@vinceanderson5349]

@@markc1234golf I just turned 57 years old and I just ordered a harp, we shall see!!

[@Jen-fr4sd]

Thank you! I retired end of January and wanting to play Harmonica. Looking forward to learning. Great instruction!

[@mikelvaz6110]

Thank you, teacher 👏👏

[@apsutton336]

Thank you I almost gave up learning till I found your lessons and few weeks later I am playing OK and will only continue to progress! Bless you - hi from Oz I am travelling outback down under Australia so lessons could have been a problem I turned 60 this year and want to learn the ukele next and I have a Celtic harp and native american flute I love music tks

[@paulmurray8159]

Thanks for saying what hole to start at. So happy have position 3 now. Dorian is GREAT!

[@alboeck5641]

I've been playing harps for some time, but even so, your lessons are top notch, & I learn finer points of playing from your superb instruction. Thanks !!!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Al Boeck that is Music to my ears Al :-)

[@markrobinson6425]

So glad I found this site...

[@rtrjmk5]

Thanks. The video sure answered my questions. You are an excellent teacher.

[@jackbaer7914]

Tom, you are such a great natural teacher! Clarity maximized! Thank you Good Sir!

[@b-jscott]

Wow - this was a great lesson...I'm still learning at a ripe old age....Thank you from South Africa!

[@markjackson2960]

Wow Great Job ! Thankyou- I've never heard anybody explain it that well much appreciated

[@travisedwards3858]

eureaka!! thank you only been playing for about 2 months . never understood that til I watched this thank you

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Travis Edwards Awesome to hear Travis. Let me know if there is anything else you are struggling with.

[@doozle5132]

Always clear and helpful, Tomlin, thanks.

[@karenfpater1806]

Thank you, Tomlin. You're my harmonica Guru 🌟

[@edwardkornele1743]

That was a simpler explanation of what the positions are, thanks.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Edward Kornele that is what I was aiming for :-)

[@timcalhoun6465]

Thanks for the instruction. Trying to play with better approach to my sound. And play covers as well. Thx!

[@LeeFKoch]

Tough topic to grasp, even if you've got a musical background. I think the example with you playing the guitar, Tomlin, is very helpful. A friend of mine who has his own school of music (teaches guitar and keyboard), asked me how the keys on a harmonica work. He was totally fascinated by the fact that you can play in several different keys (not just the relative minor) on one harmonica. If you've got no musical background, the chart is probably the easiest way to figure out which harp you need for which key.

[@stevejohnson9717]

That's a great explanation!! Do you have a simple chart that shows the other positions? Thanks!

[@BDL090754]

So clearly explained, as Adam says, finally it is making some sense to me, thank you Tomlin

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks Brad :-)

[@lzacharias76]

Your lessons are great and easy to follow, I like the work with counting and rhythm, thanks for sharing. I just started the Harp three weeks ago, and have been putting in about a half hour a day, and it still feels very far off to be able to really jam, but your lessons are great for practice.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thank you Lesley! :-)

[@fromtheblindside5975]

Thx 4 making positions clear.

[@BluesBrethrenofPolishPeoplesR]

Many thanks for that super explanation of harmonica positions, much love!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@vikingvigilante3703]

I find it difficult to not ask why all the time and literally asked "why" right before you suggested don't ask why :) Thank you for this, really helped in some ways but didn't satisfy my need to understand why all the time haha.

[@masonedwards239]

Tomlin you're a beast. Keep up the good work.

[@tnysteph]

Good info in this video. I have to say hole number 2 Draw is a hard note to get. It is very important. I have been playing a while but I have not dug into hole 2 draw because it is hard to play. Time to get with the program and learn to play 2 draw. Thanks for this and all of your videos. Keep them coming.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure Tony :-)

[@williamwinslett5836]

Well explained and good job,.,.

[@adamglass1]

As always a great explanation of playing different keys on the same harmonica , it finally makes sense , keep up the great work 😀

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I will indeed Adam so long as people like you find it useful :-)

[@tonymoran9794]

An incredible lesson !

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks Tony!

[@sierradk]

Thank you for the explanation and demonstration.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+sierradk my pleasure :-)

[@SugarCain]

great this one buddy, i missed it .... well 2017 see's me playing more [I need to get a routine going ].

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Good shout Sugar!

[@freddy3190]

Wow. And now I know positions.. Thank you Well explained...

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Excellent Billy :-)

[@bodiedominguez]

Thank you, that helped me.

[@Nijoto]

Really excellent video, mate!

[@DanDLion-tf9st]

excellent...thank you for a very good explanation

[@TomlinHarmonica]

No problem Dan :-)

[@ArtofDreaming1]

thank you tom that was well said well put, I applaud you. learning is priceless thanks

[@pauljames9527]

Thanks mate, very well explained

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks Paul :-)

[@youssefghanem1101]

great as always u got a great voice to

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+youssef ghanem aw thanks Youssef!

[@Joopfyi]

great explanation :D. Thanks!

[@edmulvey9458]

Tomlin at 5:30 you say you can play the blues scale in first position (A harp) and then you play it. How did you play it? What am I missing? If you are playing blues it would be second position correct? I have tried to ear train what you played but failed.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

I'm playing 4 blow, 4 overblow, 5 draw, 5 overblow, 6 blow, 6 overblow, 7 blow

[@edmulvey9458]

@@TomlinHarmonica That explains it.....I dont play the overblows, cant do it.

[@mickeyrats974]

always a good lesson.....thanks Tomlin.....you are a good man Mr.T

[@teemlee51]

Well done. Thanks for your time. Can you explain the differance of a bend and an over DRAW.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Scooter Lee this video will answer that - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6fIgaxrj7ipq8U

[@cyclonudista]

7:45 to go from first to second position here Tomlin counts five, but for me it´s four: D (1), E(2), F(3), G (4), why do we count also the C if we start counting with C?

[@lewisconroy3268]

In music, you should always include the first (aka the note you started at) when talking about relationships. So to count the notes in the key of C, you would go C (1), D (2), E (3), F (4), G (5). The reason for this is essentially so that if you have three notes in a chord, you have a name for each of them.

[@quailstudios]

Hello Tomlin, checking out your lesson today!

[@donschmitz2412]

Thank you for your well presented tutorials. This is what I am looking for: Full scales for positions 1,2,3,4,5 &12 on the entire 10 hole richter tuned harmonica for major and blues. I have been playing a long time and am advanced in some areas and lacking in others. I play by ear and tab only and am confused by theoretical musical terminology. Although I can read enough to sing in a choir. Any ideas? I know this is not so related to this video. Figured I can ask you because you can obviously read music well. Grateful. Don

[@sstann56]

good advice up to the point of the 2nd position ? by a Hohner chart you count up 4 positions ? cross harp or 2nd position same

[@mvecellio1]

Thanks for the information. Very helpful.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Does it make sense now?

[@mvecellio1]

+Tomlin Leckie Hi Tomlin. It makes a lot of sense now. Especially since I drew out a harmonica front and labeled all the holes with draw and blow. My only question now is if you are in the second position changing from C to G for example, at 6 blow, how do you compensate for the fact that 9 blow should be F#? Do you have to bend the note?

[@kennethross4158]

Great advice very helpful and easily understood:)

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure Kenny :-)

[@SiddarthMV]

A very good tutorial. Love from India

[@hienhau1744]

It helps me a lot . Amazing !

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Hien Tran my pleasure :-)

[@camfg8908]

One friend just gave me an A harmonica. I already can play it somehow, but I wonder, if it's possible to also play minor on it or do I need a different harmonica for it?

[@eddyhinojosa3507]

finally i found an useful tutorial for begginners. thanks, man!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Eddy Hinojosa awesome to hear Eddy :-)

[@hyabussa5747]

ditto

[@xrazybean-7005]

“You have to know your alphabet.” That’s it. I’m outta here... Great lesson as always Tomlin. Thanks!

[@alirezaalavi1504]

hi tomlin. whats the best key of harmonica for playing jazz?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Alireza Alavi hmm, I'm not sure, all keys would be useful.

[@daddyspanner]

cheers for the great explination .... but ... how does the five note up and one note up system for finding keys work on sharp and flat keys ?

[@bobsmyth1641]

Thank you- never had 3rd explained to me

[@johnnysparks44]

When The Band is in Key,,, Harmonica Becomes The 4th,,, Band Plays E,,, Harp Plays A... Cross Harping works Fast n Fits anywhere in Key... it's That Simple... Key with Key is Country or Folk... Blues is 4th of Key or it Becomes another Beast...

[@daisyrobinson1336]

thank you! That cleared it up for me. Key with key is country or folk. I had to scroll down through ten million comments to find this gem. Thank you!

[@slava_bo]

Hello, Tomlin, please tell how u play turnaround at begin.

[@burple65]

So, I have a C harmonica and say the band is playing in the key of G, so I want to play "second position" so that I am in G. I get that. But I'm still not clear what I should or should not be playing with regards to the holes on the harmonica. So, does it mean that if I'm in 2nd position there are certain holes or notes that I need to avoid playing? Or that I'm restricted to playing only a limited range of the notes available on my C harmonica? Or that if I'm in 2nd position I must start on a particular note? Sorry, but I'm a beginner and am still trying to grasp this concept.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Brian Phillips Hi Brian, if you are playing in 2nd position it means that you are starting on a specific note (2 draw, 6 blow or 9 blow). Then, depending on whether the song is major or minor and the style of music being played, you will then have a specific set of notes you can play or avoid. For example, over a 12 bar blues played in 2nd position, you would normally play the notes of the blues scale which are 2 draw, 3 draw (half step bend), 4 blow, 4 draw half step bend, 4 draw, 5 draw and 6 blow. Other notes between hole 2 and 6 would generally be avoided. I hope that helps?

[@burple65]

+Tomlin Leckie Thanks. That helps a lot, although I'm finding it more complicated that I originally imagined. Just took a series of group lessons with a well known harmonica player who is a good player, but not a very good teacher. He gave a very quick and incomplete description of what "second position" means and he mentioned several times during the classes that you can't play a wrong note on the diatonic harmonica because it's tuned to a certain key. So I had assumed that no matter what note I was playing, it was all okay.

[@jor_dasan1810]

Dear T! Thanks for this lesson. Quite enlightening 💪

[@manganights]

Nice explanation.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Bobby Cross thanks Bobby!

[@f1948s]

Thanks Tomlin, I am trying to figure out what would be best for me to use to help our county cowboy church band. Since we are not playing blues I figure I need to stay with 1st position harmonicas is that correct? Some of our songs are in G, C, A, Ab, B, and E. Should I just buy harmonicas in these keys that are 1st position on the harmonica ? That is what I am understanding from your video which is a good explanation I think. Any advice you or anyone has would be appreciated. I have only played in 1st position anytime I ever picked a harmonica up and had no idea about a 2nd or 3rd position. Thanks for any information.

[@milforddekalb7422]

Franko S, I also played in a cowboy church band. I used 1st position most of the time, but I did use 2nd and 3rd. 3rd position is for songs that are written in a minor key. Are you comfortable playing in 2nd position or is 1st your choice?

[@justsomeguy8385]

I'm just starting to learn the harmonica and so far I only have a C and an A harp. Hopefully bands are willing to change their key for that because I just don't have the money to spend $40 a pop on a bunch of harmonicas at this time.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hiya - yes this is definitely a problem at the start. You can cover most scenarios with C, A and D :-)

[@jimmy59ca2001]

hi, what is the name of that song you were singing, really like it

[@vineetsawant5556]

Three years and not guy came to help a brother out!! Shame KZbin. If anyone knows the song , please tell me. I'm wonder too.

[@deltanine2468]

Don't worry about that, just be happy with it!!!!!!

[@MrHanowski]

Sorry to ask such a basic question here. But what I really wanted to know is how to select which key to use? I just got a set, A-G, and have no idea which to pick for a particular song. Thanks!

[@lolwhittingham]

well explained !

[@louiseguest9131]

Best explanation yet. But I do find that this topic is like a slippery eel, I think I've got it and then the next time I think about it, it has slipped away again. I plan to watch this video a few times to cement the concept in my head. I have been playing for 38 years on and off...yes I started young and taught myself (mostly). I am now teaching myself some music theory so I can play better with a band.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Louise Guest hi Louise, I'm glad you liked the explanation. I think the key is to not think about it too much in theory. Positions make most sense in practice when you are actually playing.

[@prz88]

I never thought mcaluin culkin would teach harmonica lessons on youtube

[@TomlinHarmonica]

A former child star still has bills to pay ;-)

[@judyparker4794]

Good lesson, and I like how you actually answer questions, but I'm puzzled. The chart I have says that if the song is in A, then 2nd position (blues) is a D. ?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Judy, I'm glad you enjoyed the lesson. The chart shows you what harmonica you would need to play in 2nd position and 3rd position. So if you want to play in the Key of A, you need a D harmonica in 2nd position. Cheers, T

[@judyparker4794]

Thanks for the reply. The chart I downloaded from you says 1st position for an A song is A. I get that. Then you say in this lesson (and on the chart) that 2nd position would be an E. But, In your reply you said D would be 2nd position in an A song.. D is my understanding, but again you say E and your chart says E. That's why Im confused.

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

So does it take "bending" to be able to play anything other than 1st position?

[@ravengangcharlie]

thanks tomlin helps alot

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure :-)

[@shiteusmaximus]

Hi Tomlin , thanks so much for your fab lessons..... Could you tell me what key harp to play with Ab music in second position......

[@tomcat27557]

what key should my 1st harp be in? I'm buying a hohner crossover. not playing in a band, just making the dog howl.

[@filiph.1409]

Hey, great lesson, as always, but I must ask, what's the name of the song that's played in the end of the video? :D

[@zy6354]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2nUeIuhbch6r6c

[@zy6354]

its basically a maddy waters song

[@filiph.1409]

@@zy6354 thanks!

[@filiph.1409]

@@zy6354 Yeah, I love the blues and all things related to it, but I don't really know a lot about it, nor about the musicians. It's a shame really.

[@TheWaveydee]

Too much info for an infant like myself who rely's on my ear to get the right harp...but never the less.....typically theoretical. Interesting up till about 3:10.....Thankyou.

[@Ace098654]

Hello When i play the G Harmoica , First position, G Blow in the 4 hole. C Draw 5 Hole. D Draw three hole. What hole for the E Minor First position, Draw or blow. ???????

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi George if you are playing a G harmonica then the key of E will be the 3 draw whole step bend, 6 draw and 10 draw as root notes.

[@jt659]

Jesse James was my 5th grade teacher's great grandpa

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Jeremiah Temple lol, very cool :-)

[@jameslowe3254]

Kit Carson was my sixth uncle.

[@craigmartin2460]

I like your videos mate. Nice clear explanations. I'm only a beginner, so maybe I have no right even asking this question.... So if I want to play along with a blues in E, I can either get an A harp and play second position, or a D harp and play third position.....right?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Craig Martin Craig, of course you are allowed to ask questions. And yes, you are correct. Blues in E would be an A harmonica in 2nd position or D harmonica in 3rd.

[@craigmartin2460]

+Tomlin Leckie Thanks! I wish we could just use ONE harmonica to play everything: (

[@andrewz4537]

I never learned much about playing a chromatic harp but that seems to be the one you can play multiple keys (though I don't know about ALL keys).

[@jamesgeorge7614]

Seems as if he lost a number of us? Duh?

[@milforddekalb7422]

If you played 3rd position using a D harp you'd be playing in E minor.

[@hotlov72]

Do they make Gb harmonicas?

[@z1522]

People usually count up three whole notes, or a fifth, from the song key to find the second position harp key, not the other way around. Key of E so f-g-a = A harp. A fifth means e-f-f sharp-g-a flat -a so five half notes. The tuning oddities of standard diatonic harps has the same note appearing as both a draw and blow note, while leaving other notes out altogether. A chromatic harmonica may be in a key, often C or G, but the slide shifts every hole up a half note; this provides the entire 12 half-note octave range that in theory gives a classically complete scale, but in practice is stepped in a manner that is less naturally facilitating for blues playing. Little Walter was an early master of blues in third position, on a chromatic harmonica, which gave deep minor key blues. Google ""Blue and Lonesome.

[@clarkewi]

Well explained.

[@bearfootoutdoors5566]

So can I play blues in E on a harmonica in the key of C?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Yes, that is 5th position and starts on the 2 blow :-)

[@tamborelconejo]

really good...

[@seandevine5836]

Do your paid lessons teach music theory as well as styles besides blues?

[@paulduffield7017]

I'm still a little confused. If a song is being played in the key of G and I played along on a C harmonica is this the same as playing cross harp? I have seen several charts online suggesting this.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Paul, yes 2nd position is the same this as "cross harp". So playing in the key of G on a C harmonica is 2nd position/cross harp.

[@hotlov72]

I detune half a step on guitar so if in standard tuning id play in the key of G but detuning in play in Gb so what harmonica do play

[@houseofguelph8825]

Harp in Cb (B) when songs in Gb

[@billychan4633]

2nd watch update: October 25th 2018

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Awesome!

[@lamper2]

To play with a blues band, choose a harmonica tuned to the subdominant of the key the band is playing in. that's second or cross harp position, and WHERE ALL THE MONEY IS!

[@nazaroffkz]

Thanks for the video, Tomlin! Question - do these positions apply to natural and harmonic minor harmonicas as well? Lee Oskar mentions 4 positions, why is that?

[@boystone]

In 3rd position on a G harmonica what key would it be as it can't be H, I'm confused!

[@xkguy]

It would be A

[@2696ize]

You have a nice voice also !

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Thanks Mike

[@terryteekell3742]

Tomlin Leckie oooosaiil

[@polatahmt]

I cant understand. Second position= -2 -3' +4 -4' -4 -5 +6 right. for example I use C,A or Bb harmonica. Is the second position the same for all types of harmonica? or 1st, 3rd. Can you explain? ANDDD can you take videos just scales on harmonica.

[@davidwalsh8673]

I grasp all of this so far, but what I haven't been able to grasp is WHY I would play in 3rd rather than 2nd position. I get why 2nd rather than 1st when playing bluesy music. But how do harmonica players think, "I'd better play this one in 3rd position, not 2nd"? What's the decision process?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

That's a great question David :-). A lot of it is down to what feel you are wanting to for and also what keys you are playing in. I will often play 3rd position on a C harmonica instead of 2nd position on a G harmonica so that I'm playing in a slightly higher range which will cut through a mix better than the lower harp. Personally, I love all the bends in the lower octave for 3rd position Blues playing - you can be extremely vocal and expressive with it. The only way to develop your preference is to experiment with different positions over the same song or backing track and see what advantages/disadvantages they each have. :-)

[@davidwalsh8673]

@@TomlinHarmonica Thank you so much. I really like your suggestion. I play harmonica for a (mostly) bluegrass outfit, and several of their songs are in minor keys. I haven't been comfortable in 2nd position on those songs, so I guess I need to commit to practicing third position scales and then try playing them in third position. Being 2nd position primarily, I suspect I'll struggle at first to land on the right holes for resolution notes, but...that's why you practice, I suppose! Thanks again. I think your lessons are so well put together.

[@scottwins2]

I wish I could figure out how to play the Blues Scale I try and try and 3 yrs and i get tripped up