scstrickland
65 posts
May 13, 2009
3:04 AM
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Preparing for an upcoming camping trip my wife (Guitar) and I have been working on some good old sing along, campfire type songs, Like Country Roads and Margaritaville. (I know, not blues) Anyway I got tabs online, Practice a lot, but when I go to play with my wife they sound wrong, like I'm off key. Then it dawns on me that I star both these songs on the 6 hole blow. 4 hole blow is straight harp, what position starts on 6blow. If it helps my wife plays Country Roads in G and I've been playing on a G harp starting on 6blow which is D. On Margaritaville she plays in D and I have been using a D harp starting on 6blow which is A. I think I can fix this but wondering what position these songs were tabbed in or if Im just not getting this position thing.
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Arbite
28 posts
May 13, 2009
4:47 AM
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6 blow is same as 2 draw and 9 blow, Second Position/Cross
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http://www.youtube.com/arbite83
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Andrew
315 posts
May 13, 2009
4:47 AM
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Plain straightforward 2nd position.
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Preston
341 posts
May 13, 2009
5:22 AM
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I'm no authority on either of these two songs, but just becuase it starts on the 6 blow doesn't make it cross harp. You need to look at the notes within the song and determine what key signature it is.
Sometimes the very last note is a good indicator as it resolves tension, but again you can't rely on that either.
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Andrew
316 posts
May 13, 2009
5:29 AM
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I didn't read him closely enough - I took him to mean the 6 blow was the tonic. But now it looks as though the 6 blow is the dominant, in which case it's 1st position.
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Honkin On Bobo
67 posts
May 13, 2009
5:57 AM
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Internet tabs can be very unreliable. Often you'll find that in songs which there was originally a harp part, either in the form of a solo or fills or a call and response type of thing, the tabs will correspond to the lyrics, as if you're expected to play along with the vocal melody.
I've got a working knowledge of both songs but can't remember if and or where in the originals, the harp comes in. I searched Buffett's Margaritaville on ytube, but couldn't find the studio version. On the live versions I couldn't hear any harp so i'm not sure what your tabs correspond to, the lyrics or whatever embellishment/solo may have ocurred in the original song.
At any rate, if you know what key your wife is playing in, why not just play cross harp in that key. Which, given what you said, for Margaritaville would be cross harp on a G, and for Roads cross harp on a C.
Forget the tabs and riff/wail a little from holes 2 to 6. I don't see how you could go wrong. Just a thought (ie: not saying other positions would be wrong). I'm sure the more advanced players here will be weighing in with more professional/better advice.
Good luck and have fun.
Last Edited by on May 13, 2009 6:05 AM
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The Gloth
36 posts
May 13, 2009
6:02 AM
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Same advice. Play cross harp, you can't be wrong !
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GamblersHand
22 posts
May 13, 2009
7:02 AM
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I agree with Andrew - as you're playing the same key harp to the songs in both cases, you're playing straight harp/first position.
It just so happens that you start both songs on the fifth note of the scale - nothing at all wrong with that. I'd imagine that you tend to resolve the phrases to the 1/4/7/10 blow notes though.
I'm sure you know this, but the common test of a key/position is to play any of the 4b (1st position) 2d (2nd) or 4d (3rd) and see which note fits best against the chord changes, i.e. has the least musical "tension", if that makes sense.
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Preston
343 posts
May 13, 2009
7:07 AM
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Here's a good idea:
Throw the tabs away.
Ask your wife what notes she is playing, figure it out on your harp in any position you feel comfortable in, and comp her guitar while she (or whoever) is singing.
When she gives you a chance to solo, improvise something.
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MrVerylongusername
302 posts
May 13, 2009
8:07 AM
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"Throw the tabs away"
Absolutely.
Most tabs I see for songs are the vocal melody line, not a lot of use if you are accompanying another instrument. Let the guitar and vocals handle the main tune, the harp should be accompanying and bringing it's own voice to the mix. You won't be doing it justice if you're just echoing what's already there.
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scstrickland
66 posts
May 13, 2009
1:25 PM
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Wow! great advice. I will look into tossing the tabs out. and explore comping the guitar and work up some solos. I have tried 2nd position but tends to be to bluesey but I will try again. Thanks for the time and input guys.
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