Harmonica Instruction.com
Return to: Home Page : Harmonica General Info
Summary: 1st and 2nd Positions

The instruction and songs and tabs on this website are samples and exerpts from Dave Gage's HarmonicaLessons.com. This "Harmonica Playing General Info" section is an introduction to the two most important types of harmonicas, which harmonica to get, and the difference between 1st and 2nd playing positions.



SAMPLE VIDEO:  Harmonica Instruction for Beginners
Click to play video
A simple playing tip to speed up your movement and add accuracy in single notes.
Click to play video
Dave gives a general overview of what you can obtain from both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas in regards to harmonica chords.
Click to play video
In this excerpt, Dave discusses some of the reasons for playing in either 1st Position or 2nd Position.

 - Over 45 Hours of Video Lessons -
 Attend Live Classes for Instant Feedback & Questions

Get Started Now for only $19.95
Click to Visit HarmonicaLessons.com

Click to Join

Learn more about Member Benefits
Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly
*Specials*

 * Dave Gage - 35 Year Teaching Pro




SAMPLE VIDEO:  Advanced Harmonica Instruction
Click to play video
Dave explains how the concept of "Follow Through", as found in many sports, also applies directly to your breathing and airflow.
Click to play video
Dave explains the value of not just learning a scale up and down, but dividing it into smaller "bite-size" chunks, which can then be used as blues riffs.
Click to play video
Dave demonstrates how you can use the "Tonguing" technique to create interesting sounds such as the "Chicken Call".


Featured Harmonica Video
(Sons of Harmonica Teacher Dave Gage)

"Fun Blues Harmonica Jam"
Here are Dave Gage's sons, Brody and Alex, now called the Brothers Gage, back when they were 10 and 12 year old kids. This video shot in 2015, is an unedited take playing an improvised blues and country based jam and having a bunch of fun.

One plays rhythm beatbox harmonica while the other takes a solo. They are both playing a standard key of "C" 10-hole diatonic in 2nd Position (which is also known as "Crossharp"). They both learned to play harmonica around age 5 and now also sing, play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. The key to getting good is consistency. They still practice every single day.
Watch more of their videos at the
- Brothers Gage Website -






  • Summary of 1st Position and 2nd Position- Remember, 1st Position (or Straight Harp) is mostly, but not exclusively, blowing in the middle part of the harmonica (hole 4 blow is a good starting point and home base for 1st Position). 2nd Position (or cross harp) is predominately, but not exclusively, drawing at the low end of the harmonica (hole 2 Draw is the best starting point and home base for 2nd Position). On a key of "C" diatonic harmonica, 1st Position playing is in the key of "C" and 2nd Position playing is in the key of "G".

  • 1st Position for simple melodies and folk rock style- 1st Position is typically used for simple melodies like "Oh Sussanah" or "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and widely used in a folk rock context, a la Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen (and many other singer-songwriters).

  • Players who primarily use 2nd Position- include James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson (both I and II), Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson Band), John Popper, Charlie Musselwhite, Huey Lewis, Sonny Terry, Norton Buffalo, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Magic Dick (J. Geils Band), and many others.





SAMPLE VIDEO:  Harmonica Instruction for Beginners
Click to play video
A simple playing tip to speed up your movement and add accuracy in single notes.
Click to play video
Dave gives a general overview of what you can obtain from both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas in regards to harmonica chords.
Click to play video
In this excerpt, Dave discusses some of the reasons for playing in either 1st Position or 2nd Position.

 - Over 45 Hours of Video Lessons -
 Attend Live Classes for Instant Feedback & Questions

Get Started Now for only $19.95
Click to Visit HarmonicaLessons.com

Click to Join

Learn more about Member Benefits
Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly
*Specials*

 * Dave Gage - 35 Year Teaching Pro




SAMPLE VIDEO:  Advanced Harmonica Instruction
Click to play video
Dave explains how the concept of "Follow Through", as found in many sports, also applies directly to your breathing and airflow.
Click to play video
Dave explains the value of not just learning a scale up and down, but dividing it into smaller "bite-size" chunks, which can then be used as blues riffs.
Click to play video
Dave demonstrates how you can use the "Tonguing" technique to create interesting sounds such as the "Chicken Call".


Featured Harmonica Video

"Fun Blues Harmonica Jam"
Here are Dave Gage's sons, Brody and Alex, now called the Brothers Gage, back when they were 10 and 12 year old kids. This video shot in 2015, is an unedited take playing an improvised blues and country based jam and having a bunch of fun.

One plays rhythm beatbox harmonica while the other takes a solo. They are both playing a standard key of "C" 10-hole diatonic in 2nd Position (which is also known as "Crossharp"). They both learned to play harmonica around age 5 and now also sing, play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. The key to getting good is consistency. They still practice every single day.
Watch more of their videos at the
- Brothers Gage Website -




Join us at Facebook



Home | Harmonica Store | Terms of Use | Contact Us | Newsletter Signup | Harmonica Lessons.com

Copyright © 2001-2020 AYM Music. All Rights Reserved.
Harmonica Instruction.comTM  and Harmonica Lessons.comTM  are trademarks of AYM Music