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From: rock~ve.telalink.net
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 09:49:56 -0600
Subject: Re: A Stubborn Position

At 4:04 AM 3/3/96, Bobbie Giordano wrote:
>The Greek modes impacted the definition of our Western music scales. The
>nearly magical circle of fifths defined miraculous, musical divisions that
>were ensconced in these scales. It was the convergence of these elements
>that invoked the creation of the positions idea in the first place; if not,
>wouldn't some more obvious layout of positions have been devised?

From what I understand, historically, it just happened that way. 1st
position was the first position discovered and 2nd position the second.
Eventually, someone with a more theoretical background than the postion
pioneers tried to make sense of it all. But as we have seen in recent weeks
here at harp-l, there has been more than one school of thought on the
position labels/names, and the definitions are not yet universal.

>The modes are defined. Scales have their own meanings.
>The circle of fifths and chords are structured.
>
>So what gives with the positions? Whatever they are.

Positions are still important with alternately tuned harmonicas. If they
weren't, harmonica manufacturers wouldn't be selling Melody Makers and
minor-tuned models since these scales are (usually) available on a standard
Richter tuned harp. 4th position on a standard harp is a great choice for
"Greensleeves" but for a minor blues such as "The Thrill is Gone," a
natural minor harmonica(tuned for cross harp) has many more meatier options
and IMO, is a better choice. For example, in 4th position, try to get the
same tension on the 5(blow 2, 5 & 8) that one gets in 2nd position(draw 1,
4 & 8). Just can't do it. 3rd position offers advantages over 4th postion
for this example too. There are advantages and disadvantages to every
position. Some folks have wildly differing opinions about this subject.

Positions tell me where the tonic is for the particular scale. If I'm
somewhere southeast of Terlingua, Texas, and have in my burro's saddle bag
only a natural minor harmonica(as described above), and am jonesin' to play
the theme from "Hogan's Heros" on a major scale without valves or
over-thingys as I cross the Rio Grande at Boquillas for a taco, I
get-down-to-it in 6th position.

r