when playing Harmonica,there is a rule of thumb,what is it?

Question

I read years ago,but can't remember....something like if the guitars play in C the Harmonica should be 3 or four keys down,please help. I have a friend that just sounds terrible when jamming and I need to help him understand,there IS a general rule of thumb...

Answer 1

If the song you are playing is in the key of G, you could play a G harp in first position, or a C harp in second position and both would "sound right" with the music. Of course the C harp could be made to sound more "bluesy" than the G, and would work better on blues, etc.
If you play the harmonica in the key that it is labeled, you are playing straight harp or first position. You would be using mostly blow notes. This is the position that most of the "folk" type music is played , as well as being best suited for playing melody lines. To play cross harp (second position) you are playing the harmonica in a key other than the key in which the harmonica is labeled. The main reason for doing this is that the draw notes can be bent for more expression and to get your "blue" notes (flatted third, fifth, and seventh) which are not naturally present on the harmonica for the key in which it is labeled. This is the position that is mostly used for blues, rock, and country. In these styles the harmonica is usually not playing the melody, but is used to add fills and riffs that compliment and add to the music. To find the key of the harmonica to play cross harp, count up a 4th from the original key.

Answer 2

If you are playing blues or playing with a blues harp you must pick a key to play in that is seven half-steps (a fifth) higher.

For example, let's say you have an F harp. So you will want to play a song in C (because your harp has a Bb in it).

1 F#, 2 G, 3 G#, 4 A, 5 A#, 6 B, 7C

Answer 3

Keep your thumb out of the way.

Answer 4

if it's three keys DOWN its G but if its four DOWN then its F
these are whole steps right????