What key am I in (or what position am I in)
I've got a song I've been playing that I figured out simply by humming the notes and pitch matching on my harmonica. While I know that I'm on an A harmonica I'm not sure if I'm playing in the key of A or the Key of E (or honestly another key, i.e. 3rd, 4th... etc). I'm thinking that its probably the key of A (1st position) but I really don't know how to tell. I want to find someone who can accompany me on a piano, but I need to be able to tell them where I'm at.
I'm trying to use the study songs as a guide, but the first 2 study songs are in the key of E. What makes them the key of E rather than A? I've see things on the nets that lead me to believe that bends would be an indicator of second possition, however I really think that might be over simplifing the issue.
Any tips, I'm sure as I make my way through the theory study this will be come second nature (or I sure hope so).
Thanks,
Joey
Oddly enough I feel like home note in this song is 5+. I'm not sure what that means. I've gone over that lession you linked to, but something isn't clicking yet. Looking at the notes on an A harp and the notes that are played the most in this song being predominantly in 4 - 7 (both blow and draw) I'm thinking that puts this song squarely in the key of A.
Thanks for your help,
Joey
5+ would be 5th Position, placing you and the band in the key of C#. Try playing the following scale and see if it fits in your song...
2+ 2" 2 3" 3 4+ 4 5+
and
5+ 5 6+ 6 7 7+ 8 8+
Feel free to send me a soundbite if you want and I'll help you figure it out.
I'm going to take you up on that soundbite. I don't know how to upload it, so I'm giving you a link that should let you access it. If there is a better way then I'll take it, but for now ...
I can list some tab notation also if that would help further.
Thanks!
Cool, this makes it easy. You're in 1st Position. Notice how your melody resolves to 4+.
Thank you for your time!
Hello Joey. What note "feels" like home... in other words, at the end of your melody, what is the note that you finish with? If it's any of your A notes (1+, 4+, 7+ and 10+) then you're in 1st Position. If your resolution note is E (2, 3+, 6+ and 9+) then you're in 2nd Position.
P.S., here's the lesson on positions Music Theory Study 2 - Modes & Positions (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/music_theory_study_2_modes_positions)