Cross Harp Playing
On any harmonica, it is possible to play in more than one key even though there is a specific key written on the harmonica. The most common way of playing in another key is to use what is called second position or cross harp. This method is essential for Blues playing and is also used in other styles such as Country and Rock.
When you play cross harp on the C harmonica, C is no longer the key note. The note G now becomes the key note. The note G can be found at holes 2, 3, 6 and 9. This method of playing can take some time to get used to, but is essential if you wish to pursue techniques such as note bending. In the Appendix section Playing in Other Keys , there is a chart showing which key harmonica to choose for cross harp playing with every key used in music.
If you need a complete introduction to cross harp and straight harp playing, see Progressive Beginner Harmonica (straight harp playing is usually used for folk melodies). Since we are dealing specifically with Blues, we will be using cross harp playing right from the beginning of this book. This means that you will be playing in the key of G on your C harmonica. If you wish to jam with another musician (e.g., a guitarist) you will need to get them to play a Blues in the key of G in order to play along with them. The following example is a 12 Bar Blues in the key of G. It uses all of the note and rest values you have learned so far.
The Whole Note, The Whole Rest
This is a whole note. It lasts for four beats. There is one whole note in one bar of * time. The whole note is the longest note commonly used in music.
The whole rest indicates four beats or a whole bar of silence. The symbol for the whole rest is very similar to that of the half rest. The difference is that the half rest sits on top of the line, while the whole rest hangs below the line.
Once again, count mentally and tap your foot as you play to help you keep time.
Here is a 12 Bar Blues in the key of G which contains whole notes along with quarter notes and quarter rests. It makes use of notes on holes 1, 2, 3 and 4.
