[Harp-L] Modes and Positions

[Robert Coble <robertpcoble@xxxxxxxx>]

Richard Hunter and Chris Hammer Smith gave some really useful information on
modes and positions. This same subject was discussed extensively some time
ago (starting around message # 38633) on HarpTalk, one of the other Yahoo!
harmonica lists.

Positions are based on the relative POSITION of the keys around the Circle
of Fifths. Given a particular key, that position on the Circle of Fifths is
1st position. Proceeding clockwise around the Circle of Fifths, the next key
is 2nd position, then 3rd position, etc. for 12 positions total. (Enharmonic
keys are NOT included in the count of positions.)

Modes are based on the intervalic relationships between the scale degrees of
a particular MAJOR scale. Since a given major scale has 7 scale degrees,
there are 7 (and only 7) modes.

Assuming one uses the natural (no bends or overblows) notes on a particular
harmonica, here is the correspondence between positions and modes:

Position               Mode
  1                    Ionian (Major)            (Starts on scale degree 1)
  2                    Mixolydian                (Starts on scale degree 5)
  3                    Dorian                    (Starts on scale degree 2)
  4                    Aeolian (Natural minor)   (Starts on scale degree 6)
  5                    Phrygian                  (Starts on scale degree 3)
  6                    Locrian                   (Starts on scale degree 7)
  7                    NOT A NAMED MODE
  8                    NOT A NAMED MODE
  9                    NOT A NAMED MODE
  10                   NOT A NAMED MODE
  11                   NOT A NAMED MODE
  12                   Lydian                    (Starts on scale degree 4)

Examples:

"C" Harp:              "C" Major Scale notes (with octave): C D E F G A B C

Position               Mode
  1                    "C"  Ionian (Major)
  2                    "G"  Mixolydian
  3                    "D"  Dorian
  4                    "A"  Aeolian (Natural minor)
  5                    "E"  Phrygian
  6                    "B"  Locrian
  7                    NO NAMED MODE
  8                    NO NAMED MODE
  9                    NO NAMED MODE
  10                   NO NAMED MODE
  11                   NO NAMED MODE
  12                   "F"  Lydian

"G" Harp:              "G" Major Scale notes (with octave): G A B C D E F# G

Position               Mode
  1                    "G"  Ionian (Major)
  2                    "D"  Mixolydian
  3                    "A"  Dorian
  4                    "E"  Aeolian (Natural minor)
  5                    "B"  Phrygian
  6                    "F#" Locrian
  7                    NO NAMED MODE
  8                    NO NAMED MODE
  9                    NO NAMED MODE
  10                   NO NAMED MODE
  11                   NO NAMED MODE
  12                   "C"  Lydian

"F" Harp:             "F" Major Scale notes (with octave): F G A Bb C D E F

Position               Mode
  1                    "F"  Ionian (Major)
  2                    "C"  Mixolydian
  3                    "G"  Dorian
  4                    "D"  Aeolian (Natural minor)
  5                    "A"  Phrygian
  6                    "E"  Locrian
  7                    NO NAMED MODE
  8                    NO NAMED MODE
  9                    NO NAMED MODE
  10                   NO NAMED MODE
  11                   NO NAMED MODE
  12                   "Bb" Lydian
 
One of the cool things I learned from a seminar with Dennis Gruenling and
Allen Radcliffe-Holmes is that using the first 3 positions is a good way to
be able to play notes easily over the I, IV, V chords of the key represented
by 2nd position. Since the I-IV-V chord progression is one of the most
popular progressions in Western music, there is a lot of benefit to be
gained from learning to play in at least the first 3 positions on a given
harmonica.

For example, given a "C" harp: Play over the I chord (G) in 2nd position,
the IV chord (C) in 1st position, and the V chord (D) in 3rd position.

It certainly opened up my eyes to more than just blues licks!

Hope that helps!
Crazy ('bout harp!) Bob