First position for old-time stuff?
Hi David. The song-title description "blues" seems to have come along well before standardization of what we now consider mostly 3-chord 12- or 8-bar "blues" structures. I recently picked up a set of charts and performance suggestions for "Bawdy Blues," put together by stringed instrument ace Fred Sokowlow. The tunes, e.g., Clara Smith's "Ain't Got Nobody To Grind My Coffee" and Bo Carter's "She's Your Cook But She Burns My Bread Sometimes" are a lot of fun (tho' not necessarily for one's set-list for a childrens' birthday party or certain church socials). This style of song, from the 1920s and early 1930s, owes a lot to early New Orleans-style jazz and Memphis jug band tunes. Such as the iconic II7-V7-I-VI7-II7-V7 turnaround. Curious about your thoughts about whether this sort of music works best on diatonic in first position. Or some other position?
Will do. Another genre description for these types of tunes is "hokum," and as you know, it's the sort of stuff that Joe Filisko loves. In addition to experimenting, I'll take another listen to what the harmonica players are doing in some old recordings such as those in the "Harmonica Rarities" series.
That's a good idea. You'll find a balanced mix of 1st and 2nd Position playing (3rd Position didn't come around in the recorded world until 1951).
Hey Rob. With good bending skill you can make 1st Position sound fantastic (anything bluesy sounding will be found in a bend). I would also recommend you experiment with 2nd Position and pick which position matches the song better.