This and the previous page contain basic information on the two most popular approaches to playing the diatonic harmonica, 1st and 2nd position (also referred to as "Straight Harp" and "Cross Harp").
- 2nd position or "Cross Harp"- These two terms mean precisely the same thing. We tend to use the more modern term "2nd Position" here, but both are correct and interchangeable. Most beginners will start with simple blues riffs played in the 2nd position.
- Players who primarily use 2nd position- include James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Mick Jagger, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Mickey Raphael, John Popper, Charlie Musselwhite, Huey Lewis, Sonny Terry, Norton Buffalo, Steven Tyler, Magic Dick, and many others.
- For blues, use 2nd position- If you want to play to more blues, rock, or country based music, your first choice would not be the 1st position (or "Straight Harp") style of playing. You will want to use the 2nd position style of playing.
- 2nd position emphasizes draw notes at the low end- If you want to jam to a song while playing 2nd position, you must primarily, but not exclusively, play the draw (inhale) notes at the low end of the harmonica (holes 1 through 5 draw). Resolution to the key of music can be found on hole 3 blow (and later on, also at holes 2 draw and 6 blow).
- The big advantage to 2nd position is the bending- The advantage of the 2nd position style of playing over 1st position, is that all these low draw notes can be bent down for effect and with practice will ultimately give you all the missing notes used in blues and country.
- 2nd position is in a different key- When you play in the 2nd position, you are no longer in the key of the harmonica, but actually in a key which is a perfect 5th (seven half-steps) up from the key of the harmonica.
- You're playing your "C" harmonica in the key of "G"- If you play in 2nd position on a key of "C" harmonica you will now be in the key of "G". This is the way most modern blues, rock, and country players will use the harmonica. Use the table on the following page to find the 2nd position key for different keyed diatonics.
- An easy shortcut to find the 2nd position key- If your thumb is the key of the harmonica (which is the same as the 1st position key), count through the alphabet and stop at your "little finger" for the 2nd position key. For example, your thumb is "C" and your little finger would be "G" (key of 2nd position on the "C" harmonica). Try it with a key of "D" harmonica, counting from thumb to little finger you should get the key of "A" for 2nd position. Please note, in music, "A" follows "G". There is no "H" note (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B, etc.)
- To begin learning 2nd position riffs and methods of improv- Visit the Basic Blues Improv section for blues riffs and information on improvising in the 2nd position. A shortcut for simple blues jamming is found on the Beginners' Shortcuts page.
Our next page is a simple chart for determining the 2nd position key of any standard 10-hole major diatonic as well the 3rd and 5th position keys. Click here to view the Chart of Harmonica Keys & Positions.
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