DATE: Wed, 25 Nov 1992 13:53:33 CST From: Dick Anderson Subject: Positions/Modes?
Now another question. What about the labeling of "positions"--when did it start, and how?
Perhaps it did evolve from "crossed" to second and so on. I have not read anything that explains it as well as the "circle of 5ths" given by Levy. No one knows who "invented" cross harp because it probably happened at a time when "country/black" music was not deemed important enough to warrant recording. The technology was available, but it was not available to those who were playing cross harp style at the time.
Any instrument that is diatonic (plays only notes of a major scale), can be played modaly. That is to say that you can play in the 7 greek modes or scales. This is very closely related to "position". I can think of several diatonic instruments which are played in various modes or positions. The Irish Pennywhistle is one and the diatonic button accordion is another. Both of these can play notes of a major scale in a particular key, and in order to play in other keys, they can be played in other "positions", although I have not heard the term "positions" used.
I'm afraid that's about all I know of the history of "positions".
love to talk harps,
dick....
Dick Anderson CCMO New Matls Engineering Telnet 229-3110 Hewlett Packard Direct Dial 1-303-229-3110 3404 E Harmony Road HPDESK dick_anders~p4000 Fort Collins Colorado 80525 mail anders~pfcpq.fc.hp.com
