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but since I am a professional ammuture, meaning I don't know jacksh_t. What is the practice of using what key of harp in relationship to the key a song is being played in, or how to choose the right key according to accompany the song? See, I told you I don't know jack.
First of all Richard, with that topic, you are far from not knowing jack. Seems to be a pretty confusing topic to alot of people, even veteran Harmonica players. I've been playing for a couple of years now and I know how to figure out which one to use but if you put me on the spot, I just go blank and end up counting notes on a piano or resorting to my trusty Harp chart which conveniently fits in my wallet.
To determine it without such a chart, you have to go by music theory to determine which harp to play. Assuming you are playing a diatonic and wanting to play like JJ, you will be playing it in cross harp or second position. Once you know the key of a song, in order to choose the right key harmonica, you have to go to the 4th note of that key or figure out what the key is and figure out which key that note is the 5th of. Hopefully that didn't confuse you or done turned you cross eyed, I know it can do that, but that is how to choose it.
Lee Oskars are nice in that they mark the 2nd position on the harp. Thus, if you are playing in the key of A, look on the harps for the one that has listed 2nd A on it. Which would be a D harp.
If you search on the internet, you can find some charts that will help you determine which key to play and that is by far the easiest way to determine it and quickest. I'll post a small chart below so you have an idea and/or can use it for reference.
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
DT, much appreciated. I should have been paying attention longer ago, but I will blame it on my past practices as a kid in school, not much attention paid back the either. I have a handful of Lee Oskars, given a couple away, had two Honer "Blues Harps" one got stolen( just before my head on collision, the other I gave to a relative of a co-worker who played some serious guitar, then went back to the "Church" to devote his guitar efforts, and sadly passed a few years back. I asked his relative to see to it that Wayne took the harp with him on his journey to the heaven. I recalled that there is a method to the madness of fing the key to play in, but have been more than lazy, to study up on it. I have yet to learn any songs, I just bend,blow, wail, worbble, and fake it. I have been paid compliments by the unknowing....and should really get off my butt and practice like I mean it. Also need to put that Epiphone SG to some practice too, cause it aint never going to get up and play on it's own. Thanks a bucket load for the help !
