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Section 1 – 1st Position (Major Mode)

Ex. 1.1 – Exercise: The Major Mode, originally known as the Ionian Mode, is the most common mode we’ll deal with when speaking of music theory. Your knowledge of the major scale is paramount in your ability to understand and work with melodies, chords, soloing scales and other modes. Write out the following major scales as a review of your Music Theory Study 1. Reminder: Half steps are located between the 3rd and 4th Scale Degrees and the 7th and 8th (I’ve placed a thick line between these degrees of the scale in the chart as a reminder to you). Write the letters of the alphabet first and then add sharps and flats—just like you did last time.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th C C D E F G A B C G D A E B F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F Ex. 1.2 – When playing in 1st Position, the Major Mode is available without bending. To be able to play the entire range of the harmonica, some bending is required (the harmonica wasn’t built to play a complete scale across its range—more on this later). The entire C Major Scale (Major Mode) is notated below with Note Names, Scale Degrees and harmonica TAB.

© 2012 David Barrett & The Harmonica Masterclass Co. for BluesHarmonica.com, All Rights Reserved

Music Theory Study 2 Modes & Positions

BluesHarmonica.com Support Material Written by David Barrett

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Ex. 1.3 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with pitches for the C Major Diatonic Harmonica.

Ex. 1.4 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with pitches for the C Major Diatonic Harmonica with bends.

Ex. 1.5 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with Scale Degrees based on the C Major Scale in place of

pitch names.

Ex. 1.6 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with Scale Degrees based on the C Major Scale in place of

pitch names including bends.

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Ex. 1.7 – Exercise: Now fill in the chart with 1st Position Scale Degrees for this A Major Harmonica.

Ex. 1.8 – Context: We’ll be spending time with many modes and positions in this Study. We’re still in “information” mode, but I do like to have you play as much as possible. Play along with me to the video to hear the lick below, which is in the Major Mode. We’ll later use this for comparison of the other modes/scales/positions. You’ll need your G Major Diatonic Harmonica for this.

Section 1 Questions 1) What pitch is the home base (place of resolution) in 1st Position on this C Harmonica?

2) Where can these pitches be found on the harmonica?

3) Why can you play IN the Key of C on this C Harmonica: 4) Play a melody on your C Harmonica. Now play the same melody on another keyed harmonica. Depending on the harmonica you chose, you’ll hear the same melody, just higher or lower. Why does it work this way? 5) What key are you and the band playing in when using these harmonics in 1st Position?

A Harmonica: ___ C Harmonica: ___

D Harmonica: ___ B♭ Harmonica: ___ B Harmonica: ___ C♯ Harmonica: ___ Videos on Music The following series of videos provide a large encompassing view of music. Though these videos are very general in their nature and do not directly teach music theory (nor do they have anything to do with the harmonica specifically), the do help to provide a different perspective on the understanding of music.

1) Basic: How Music Works (1: Melody, 2: Rhythm, 3: Harmony and 4: Bass) http://www.youtube.com/user/timegrinder

2) Advanced: Leonard Bernstein - The Unanswered Question (1: Musical Phonology, 2: Musical Syntax, 3: Musical Semantics, 4: The Delights & Dangers of Ambiguity, 5: XXth Century Crisis and 6: The Poetry Of Earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3HLqCHO08s&feature=relmfu

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Section 2 – 2nd Position (Mixolydian Mode)

Ex. 2.1 – Exercise: When playing the C Harmonica in 2nd Position, we’re choosing to play in the key of G. This key is based on the 5th Scale Degree of the harmonica you’re playing. If you’re playing the C Harmonica, then walk up the C Major Scale until you reach the 5th Scale Degree, which is G in this case (C D E F G). If you’re playing a D Harmonica, which uses the D Major Scale for its construction, then walk up the D Major Scale until you reach the 5th Scale Degree, which is A (D E F♯ G A). It’s important that you know how to build your Major Scales, and follow it when figuring out the key you’re playing in. Otherwise, if you were to just walk up the alphabet for the Key of B you wouldn’t know that you’re playing in the Key of F♯ (B C♯ D♯ E F♯), not F… that would be quite embarrassing if you were playing a B Harmonica and told the band to play in the Key of F. Complete the chart below.

Harp 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th C C D E F G G D D E F♯ G A A E B B C♯ D♯ E F♯ F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F Ex. 2.2 – Exercise: The Mixolydian Mode places the half steps between the 3rd and 4th Scale Degrees and the 6th and 7th Scale Degrees. Another way to think of it—and the most common way to think of it—is to write the major scale and then lower the 7th Scale Degree by half step (B to B♭ for example). We call that 7th a ♭7th or Minor-7th. Fill in the chart below with the Mixolydian Scale.

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th ♭7th

8th C ♭C♭ ♭D♭ ♭E♭ ♭F♭ ♭G♭ ♭A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ G D A E B F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F

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Ex. 2.3 – When playing in 2nd Position, the Mode created is not the Major Mode… it’s the Mixolydian Mode. Due to the fact that you’re playing a C Harmonica in the Key of G, there is no F♯ in its tuning. The F♯ is the 7th Scale Degree of the G Major Scale (you’ve probably figured out by this point that Scale and Mode are used somewhat interchangeably). Lowering the F♯ to F Natural, lowers the 7th Scale Degree to make it the Mixolydian Mode. This ♭7th is a bluesy-sounding note. The entire G Mixolydian Scale is notated below with Note Names, Scale Degrees and harmonica TAB.

Ex. 2.4 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with pitches for the C Major Diatonic Harmonica with bends.

Ex. 2.5 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with Scale Degrees based on the G Mixolydian Scale in place

of pitch names.

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Ex. 2.6 – Exercise: Now fill in the chart with 2nd Position Scale Degrees for this A Major Harmonica.

Ex. 2.7 – Context: In the first example you played your G Major Diatonic Harmonica in 1st Position as an example of the Major Mode sound. In the second example play your C Major Diatonic Harmonica in 2nd Position as an example of the Mixolydian Mode sound. As you have learned in this section, 2nd Position, of which is the Mixolydian Mode, has a lowered 7th scale degree (♭7th) and provides a more bluesy sound.

G Harmonica in 1st Position (Key of G)

C Harmonica in 2nd Position (Key of G)

Section 2 Questions 1) What pitch is the home base (place of resolution) in 2nd Position on a C Harmonica? 2) Where can these pitches be found on the harmonica? 3) Justify why you can play IN the Key of G on this C Harmonica: 4) What key are you and the band playing in when using these harmonics in 2nd Position? (Note that this is not answered in the video… answers can be found in “Section 7 – Completed Exercises,” Ex. 2.1) A Harmonica: ___

C Harmonica: ___ D Harmonica: ___ B♭ Harmonica: ___ B Harmonica: ___ C♯ Harmonica: ___

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Section 3 – 3rd Position (Dorian Mode)

Ex. 3.1 – Exercise: When playing the C Harmonica in 3rd Position, we’re choosing to play in the key of D. This key is based on the 5th Scale Degree of your 2nd Position key. If you’re playing the C Harmonica, then walk up the G Mixolydian Scale until you reach the 5th Scale Degree, which is D in this case (G A B C D… you’ve figured out that the G Mixolydian Scale is the same as the C Major Scale, just starting from the 5th Scale Degree, right?). Complete the chart below.

Harp 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th C G A B C D G D A B C♯ D E A E B F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F

Tip: C Harmonica plays in the key of C for 1st Position… no math needed here… simple. C Harmonica plays in the key of G for 2nd Position, which is the 5th Scale Degree of the key of the harmonica you’re playing. This one’s also simple, just walk up to the fifth note of the scale (C D E F G). C Harmonica plays in the key of D for 3rd Position, which requires you to go up five Scale Degrees two times. A quick way to find your 3rd Position key is to go up a whole step from the key of the harmonica (C Harmonica… C♯... D. C Harmonica plays in the key of D, 3rd Position).

Ex. 3.2 – Exercise: The Dorian Mode places the half steps between the 2nd and 3rd Scale Degrees and the 6th and 7th Scale Degrees. Another way to think of it—and the most common way to think of it—is to write the Major Scale and then lower the 3rd and the 7th Scale Degrees by half step. Fill in the chart below with the Dorian Scale.

1st

2nd ♭3rd

4th

5th

6th ♭7th

8th C ♭C♭ ♭D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ ♭G♭ ♭A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ G D A E B F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F

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Ex. 3.3 – When playing in 3rd Position, the Mode created is the Dorian Mode. Due to the fact that you’re playing a C Harmonica in the Key of D, there is no C♯ and F♯ in its tuning. The ♭7th and ♭3rd are bluesy sounding. The entire D Dorian Scale is notated below with Note Names, Scale Degrees and harmonica TAB.

Ex. 3.4 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with pitches for the C Major Diatonic Harmonica with bends.

Ex. 3.5 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with Scale Degrees based on the D Dorian Scale in place

of pitch names.

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Ex. 3.6 – Exercise: Now fill in the chart with the 3rd Position Scale Degrees for this A Major Harmonica.

Ex. 3.7 – Context: In the first example play your G Major Diatonic Harmonica in 1st Position as an example of the Major Mode sound. In the second example play your C Major Diatonic Harmonica in 2nd Position as an example of the Mixolydian Mode sound. In the third example play your Low-F Major Diatonic Harmonica in 3rd Position as an example of the Dorian Mode sound. As you have learned in this section, 3rd Position, of which is the Dorian Mode, has lowered 3rd and 7th Scale Degrees and provides an even more bluesy, or dark, sound than 2nd Position.

G Harmonica in 1st Position (Key of G)

C Harmonica in 2nd Position (Key of G)

Low-F Harmonica in 3rd Position (Key of G)

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Section 3 Questions 1) What pitch is the home base (place of resolution) in 3rd Position on the C Harmonica?

2) Where can these pitches be found on the harmonica?

3) Justify why you can play IN the Key of D on the C Harmonica: 4) Why might you want to play in the Key of D on the C Harmonica? 5) What key are you and the band playing in when using these harmonics in 3rd Position? A Harmonica: ___

C Harmonica: ___ D Harmonica: ___ B♭ Harmonica: ___ B Harmonica: ___ C♯ Harmonica: ___

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Section 4 – 4th Position (Minor Mode)

Ex. 4.1 – Exercise: When playing the C Harmonica in 4th Position, we’re choosing to play in the key of A Minor (Am). This key is based on the 5th Scale Degree of your 3rd Position key. If you’re playing the C Harmonica, then walk up the D Dorian Scale until you reach the 5th Scale Degree, which is A in this case (D E F G A… you’ve figured out that the D Mixolydian Scale is the same as the C Major Scale, just starting from the 2nd Scale Degree, right?). Complete the chart below.

Harp 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th C D E F G A G D E F♯ G A B A E B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F

Tip: A quick way to find your 4th Position key is to go down a three half steps (known as a Minor Third) from the key of the harmonica (C Harmonica… B... B♭… A. C Harmonica plays in the key of A Minor, 4th Position).

Ex. 4.2 – Exercise: The Minor Mode (originally known as Aeolian) places the half steps between the 2nd and 3rd Scale Degrees and the 5th and 6th Scale Degrees. Another way to think of it—and the most common way to think of it—is to write the Major Scale and then lower the 3rd, 6th and 7th Scale Degrees by half step. Fill in the chart below with the Minor Scale.

1st

2nd ♭3rd

4th

5th ♭6th ♭7th

8th C ♭C♭ ♭D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ ♭G♭ A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ G D A E B F♯

D♭

A♭

E♭

B♭

F

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Ex. 4.3 – When playing in 4th Position, the Mode created is the Minor Mode. The ♭7th and ♭3rd are bluesy sounding, and the ♭6th is very dark, minor sounding. The entire A Minor Scale is notated below with Note Names, Scale Degrees and harmonica TAB.

Tip: It’s more common for a Blues harmonica player to learn and play the Blues Scale in place of the Minor Scale. The Blues Scale also contains a ♭3rd and ♭7th, but omits the ♭6th. More on this in later lessons.

Ex. 4.4 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with pitches for the C Major Diatonic Harmonica with bends.

Ex. 4.5 – Exercise: Fill in the chart below with Scale Degrees based on the A Minor Scale in place

of pitch names.

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Ex. 4.6 – Exercise: Now fill in the chart with the 4th Position Scale Degrees for this A Major Harmonica.

Ex. 4.7 – Context: In the first example you played your G Major Diatonic Harmonica in 1st Position as an example of the Major Mode sound. In the second example you played your C Major Diatonic Harmonica in 2nd Position as an example of the Mixolydian Mode sound. In the third example you played your Low-F Major Diatonic Harmonica in 3rd Position as an example of the Dorian Mode sound. In this fourth example play your B♭ Major Diatonic Harmonica in 4th Position as an example of the Minor Mode sound. As you have learned in this section, 4th Position, of which is the Minor Mode, has lowered 3rd, 6th and 7th Scale Degrees and provides the darkest sound off all of the positions so far.

G Harmonica in 1st Position (Key of G)

C Harmonica in 2nd Position (Key of G)

Low-F Harmonica in 3rd Position (Key of G)

Bb Harmonica in 4th Position (Key of Gm)

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Section 4 Questions 1) What pitch is the home base (place of resolution) in 4th Position on the C Harmonica?

2) Where can these pitches be found on the harmonica?

3) Justify why you can play IN the Key of A minor (Am) on the C Harmonica: 4) Why might you want to play in the Key of Am on the C Harmonica? 5) Why might you not want to play in the Key of Am on the C Harmonica? 6) What key are you and the band playing in when using these harmonics in 4th Position? A Harmonica: ___

C Harmonica: ___ D Harmonica: ___ B♭ Harmonica: ___ B Harmonica: ___ C♯ Harmonica: ___

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Section 5 – Position Quick Charts Ex. 5.1 – The Circle of Fifths is a system used to help students memorize their major keys/scales and provide a quick reference as to how many sharps or flats a key has.

Ex. 5.2 – We can use this same chart as a quick reference to our position system. From the key of the harmonica (which is 1st Position), move clockwise in the Circle of Fifths to determine other positions.

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Ex. 5.3 – This system can be used starting from any key of harmonica.

Ex. 5.4 – You can also use this diagram in reverse, starting from the band key and move counter-clockwise from the key of the band.

Tip: When speaking to another harmonica player… you play ON a harmonica and IN a key. If you’re playing a C Harmonica, then say you’re “playing ON a C Harmonica.” If you and the band (you and the band of course have to always be playing in the same key) are playing in the Key of G, then you say, “I’m playing IN the key of G.” When speaking to musicians NEVER SAY WHICH HARMONICA YOU’RE USING—this causes confusion—only say the key you’re playing IN.

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Ex. 5.5 – Position Review

1st Position: When playing a C Harmonica in 1st Position, we’re choosing to play in the key of the harmonica (C).

2nd Position: When playing a C Harmonica in 2nd Position, we’re choosing to play in the key of G. This key is based on the 5th Scale Degree of the harmonica. Playing a C Harmonica, walk up the C Major Scale until you reach the 5th Scale Degree, which is G (C D E F G).

3rd Position: The C Harmonica plays in the key of D for 3rd Position, which requires you to go up five scale degrees two times (C to G, and then G to D). A quick way to find your 3rd Position key is to go up a whole step from the key of the harmonica (C Harmonica… C♯... D. The C Harmonica plays in the key of D, 3rd Position).

Ex. 5.6 – Another Way of Finding Positions

When playing in 1st Position, you’re playing in the Key of C on a C Harmonica. C is 1+. One way to think about this is to say that you’re playing in the key of the 1+. When playing in 2nd Position, you’re playing in the Key of G on a C Harmonica (the 5th note of the C Scale). G is 2 Draw. One way to think about this is to say that you’re playing in the key of the 2 Draw. When playing in 3rd Position, you’re playing in the Key of D on a C Harmonica (the 2nd note of the C Scale). D is 1 Draw. One way to think about this is to say that you’re playing in the key of the 1 Draw.

Ex. 5.7 – Exercise: Fill in the harmonica diagrams below and state which keys you’re playing in for our three most common positions. Reference Examples 1.1 and 1.5 if you need help.

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Ex. 5.8 – Exercise: Create your own harmonica position quick chart below.

Harp 1st Position Key 2nd Position Key 3rd Position Key C C G D G D A E B

F♯ (G♭) F♯ C♯ G♯

D♭(C♯)

A♭

E♭

B♭

F

Section 6 – Position Quiz

Ex. 6.1 – Exercise: Let’s use the notes of the C Harmonica for all of our questions below.

1) The C Harmonica plays in the key of ___ in 1st Position. It uses the ___ ____________ scale.

The notes of this scale are: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. In scale degrees it is ___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ___ ___. The home base in this position is the pitch ___ and is found on holes ___

___ ___ and ___. If I have an F Harmonica in my hand, the scale __________ and hole

__________ stay the same, but the __________ change.

2) The C Harmonica plays in the key of ___ in 2nd Position. It uses the ___ ____________ scale.

The notes of this scale are: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. In scale degrees it is ___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ____ ___. The home base in this position is the pitch ___ and is found on holes ___

___ ___ and ___. If I have an F Harmonica in my hand, the scale __________ and hole

__________ stay the same, but the __________ change.

3) The C Harmonica plays in the key of ___ in 3rd Position. It uses the ___ ____________ scale.

The notes of this scale are: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. In scale degrees it is ___ ___

____ ___ ___ ___ ____ ___. The home base in this position is the pitch ___ and is found on

holes ___ ___ and ___. If I have an F Harmonica in my hand, the scale __________ and hole

__________ stay the same, but the __________ change.

4) When playing a song, why do the Scale Degrees and Hole Numbers stay the same when we change keys of harmonica?

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Ex. 6.2 – Exercise: Notated below is our E♭ Alto Saxophone song example from Music Theory Study 1. Fill in the Note Names and Scale Degrees.

Ex. 6.3 – Exercise: Transpose Example 6.2 so that you can play your C Harmonica in 2nd Position, key of G Major (use Major in this case, not Mixolydian). Write (in this order) the Scale Degrees, Note Names, TAB for two octaves of the harmonica and Pitches on the staff.

For More Information 1) Modes: Modern, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_mode 2) Circle of 5ths, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_fifths

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Section 7 – Completed Exercises

Ex. 1.1 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th C C D E F G A B C G G A B C D E F♯ G D D E F♯ G A B C♯ D A A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A E E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E B B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B F♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯

D♭ D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ D♭

A♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G A♭

E♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭

B♭ B♭ C D E♭ F G A B♭ F F G A B♭ C D E F

Ex. 1.3

Ex. 1.4

Ex. 1.5

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Ex. 1.6

Ex. 1.7

Ex. 2.1

Harp 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th C C D E F G G G A B C D D D E F♯ G A A A B C♯ D E E E F♯ G♯ A B B B C♯ D♯ E F♯ F♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯

D♭ D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ G♭ A♭

A♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭

E♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭

B♭ B♭ C D E♭ F

F F G A B♭ C

Ex. 2.2 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th ♭7th 8th

C C D E F G A B♭ C G G A B C D E F G D D E F♯ G A B C D A A B C♯ D E F♯ G A E E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E B B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B F♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯

D♭ D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ D♭

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A♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭

E♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭

B♭ B♭ C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ F F G A B♭ C D E♭ F

Ex. 2.4

Ex. 2.5

Ex. 2.6

Ex. 3.1

Harp 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th C G A B C D G D E F♯ G A D A B C♯ D E

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A E F♯ G♯ A B E B C♯ D♯ E F♯ B F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ F♯ C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯

D♭ A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ D♭ E♭

A♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭

E♭ B♭ C D E♭ F

B♭ F G A B♭ C

F C D E F G

Ex. 3.2 1st 2nd ♭3rd 4th 5th 6th ♭7th 8th

C C D E♭ F G A B♭ C G G A B♭ C D E F G D D E F G A B C D A A B C D E F♯ G A E E F♯ G A B C♯ D E B B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B F♯ F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E F♯

D♭ D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭ ♭C♭ D♭

A♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭

E♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭

B♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ F F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F

Ex. 3.4

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Ex. 3.5

Ex. 3.6

Ex. 4.1

Harp 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th C D E F G A G A B C D E D E F♯ G A B A B C♯ D E F♯ E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯

D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭

A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F

E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C

B♭ C D E♭ F G

F G A B♭ C D

Ex. 4.2 1st 2nd ♭3rd 4th 5th ♭6th ♭7th 8th

C C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C G G A B♭ C D E♭ F G D D E F G A B♭ C D A A B C D E F G A E E F♯ G A B C D E B B C♯ D E F♯ G A B F♯ F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E F♯

D♭ D♭ E♭ ♭F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭♭ ♭C♭ D♭

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A♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭

E♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭

B♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ F F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F

Ex. 4.4

Ex. 4.5

Ex. 4.6

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Ex. 5.7

Ex. 5.8

Harp 1st Position Key 2nd Position Key 3rd Position Key C C G D G G D A D D A E A A E B E E B F♯ B B F♯ C♯

F♯ (G♭) F♯ C♯ G♯

D♭(C♯) D♭ A♭ E♭

A♭ A♭ E♭ B♭

E♭ E♭ B♭ F

B♭ B♭ F C

F F C G

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Ex. 6.1

1) The C Harmonica plays in the key of C in 1st Position. It uses the C Major scale. The notes of this

scale are: C D E F G A B C In scale degrees it is 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th. The home base in this

position is the pitch C and is found on holes 1+ 4+ 7+ and 10+. If I have an F Harmonica in my

hand, the scale degrees and hole numbers stay the same, but the pitches change.

2) The C Harmonica plays in the key of G in 2nd Position. It uses the G Mixolydian scale. The notes

of this scale are: G A B C D E F G. In scale degrees it is 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th ♭7th 8th. The home

base in this position is the pitch G and is found on holes 2 3+ 6+ and 9+. If I have an F Harmonica

in my hand, the scale degrees and hole numbers stay the same, but the pitches change.

3) The C Harmonica plays in the key of D in 3rd Position. It uses the D Dorian scale. The notes of

this scale are: D E F G A B C D In scale degrees it is 1st 2nd ♭3rd 4th 5th 6th ♭7th 8th. The home base

in this position is the pitch D and is found on holes 1 4 and 8. If I have an F Harmonica in my

hand, the scale degrees and hole numbers stay the same, but the pitches change.

Ex. 6.2

Ex. 6.3

© 2012 David Barrett & The Harmonica Masterclass Co. for BluesHarmonica.com, All Rights Reserved