Musselwhite woke a lot of people up to playing in multiple positions i.e. using one harp to play in multiple keys. Here are some of his songs and the key, harp, and position they are played in…
Song Titles, Keys, Harps and Positions…
Harpin’ On A Riff Key of G, C harp, 2nd position
Run Here Mama Key of F, Bb harp, 2nd position
Tuff Key of D, G harp, 2nd position
Pistol in Your Face Key of A, D harp, 2nd position
Azul Para Amparo Key of A, C harp, 4th position
Blues All Night Key of F, Bb harp, 2nd position
Fast Life Blues Key of E, A harp, 2nd position
Way I Feel Key of Am, G harp, 3rd position
Chicago Sunset Key of G, C harp, 2nd position
Blues in the Dark Key of D, C chromatic, 3rd position
Shelby County Blues Key of A, D harp, 2nd position, A harp first
Scufflin Key of A, G harp, 3rd position, A harp, 1st position
Hard Times Key of F, Bb harp, 2nd position
An American can tell which person is from Boston and Alabama when each person speaks. An advanced harp player can tell which position a player is in.
9 of the songs listed use the most common position, 2nd.
In Run Here Mama, Musselwhite does an unusual high note 2nd position solo. Normally this style of playing is done in first position.
Key of F, Bb harp, 2nd position
In Way I Feel, 3rd position can be played in major blues but specializes in minor blues. Listen to all of the octaves, a good clue you may be listening to 3rd!
Key of Am, G harp, 3rd position
Listen to Blues in the Dark, once you master 3rd position on a diatonic it is a short jump to 3rd position on a chromatic.
Key of D, C chromatic, 3rd position
In Scuffling, listen to him switch from a G harp in 3rd position to an A harp in 1st position in the third verse and back on the last verse.
Key of A, G harp, 3rd position, A harp, 1st position
Listen to Azul Para Amparo. 4th position is very uncommon. See how it creates a Spanish flavor.
Key of A, C harp, 4th position
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