1st Position Instrumentals
Hi, David:
In one of your videos, you mention that you have transcribed (or catalogued) over 1000 harmonica instrumentals. Of those, you said, 1st position instrumentals were 4 or 5. What were they? What are the most important/ influential 1st position instumentals? (The way "Telephone Blues" is to 3rd position bluesy playing)
Kim Wilson does "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" in first position with the Thunderbirds. Instrumentals do seem pretty rare in 1st.
Yes, that's a good one. I was speaking of classic recordings, but it's good to note the newer ones no doubt.
I really want to improve my 1st position. Since instrumentals are so rare, do you think it would be a good practice to go through other harmonica instrumentals (in other positions) and try to transpose them into 1st position? I understand that they may not work entirely, but this may be good for developing lick vocabulary, movement, and a "feel" for the position.
Absolutely, this is a common practice for advanced players. Try "Juke" in 1st and 3rd, it's a good candidate (Mark Hummel in his Mountain Top video talks about this idea).
Morning Marc. 1st Position instrumentals are rare, so I don't believe there is a "known" standard for 1st. "Telephone Blues" is a great example of 3rd Position playing on a vocal tune, so for a vocal tune I would say "Trust My Baby" by Rice Miller would be it.
As for instrumentals, these are cool to check out...
This is the only 1st position post-war instrumental I'm aware of. Let me know if you find any more in the 1950~1958 time range.
"Junior’s Wail" by Junior Wells on Blues Hit Bigtown with D harp
This was recorded in 1977
"La Cucaracha" by Walter Horton on Fine Cuts with A harp
For pre-war blues...
"Harmonica Stomp" by Jazz Gillum on The Bluebird Recordings on C harp
"Boarding House Blues" by Rhythm Willie on Harps, Jugs, Washboards & Kazoos 1926-1940 on G harp
"Goin' Back to Saint Louis" by Walter Horton on King of the Harmonica Players on A harp (I don't believe this is very old, but it's played in the pre-war style... KILLER licks in here)