The Blues Harmonica: Learning to play the harmonica: Handbook: Keys and positions

Keys and positions

Here's a table to show which harmonica to use in which key:

Key:	Harmonica to use:
Key:	1st pos. "Straight Harp"	2nd pos. "Cross Harp"	3rd pos. "Minor Harp"	4th pos. "Natural minor"
C	C	F	Bb	Eb
G	G	C	F	Bb
D	D	G	C	F
A	A	D	G	C
E	E	A	D	G
B	B	E	A	D
F#	F#	B	E	A
Db / C#	Db	F#	B	E
Ab / G#	Ab	Db	F#	B
Eb	Eb	Ab	Db	F#
Bb	Bb	Eb	Ab	Db
F	F	Bb	Eb	Ab

But what does it mean?

A harmonica can be used to play in other keys than the on stamped on it. There are four common (and three rare) different "positions", each with its own characteristics.

1st position (straight harp)

This position is well suited for basic tune playing and for country and classical music. It's sometimes used for blues too, although it's hard to get the right "blues feeling."

2nd position (cross harp)

This is the classic blues position, but is also used a lot in country music and even in classical music from time to time.

3rd position (minor harp)

If the music is in a minor key, this is the position you should try first.

4th position (natural minor)

If it's a minor key, and 3rd position doesn't work, try the fourth!

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This particular page was created 22/02/2004 and last updated 26/01/2005