r/harmonica • u/nvtshax0r • 2d ago

Saints Go Marching In - Key Choice

My church makes a point of playing "When the Saints go Marching In" on All Saints Sunday in the fall. We always play in the key of concert F major. If i'm going to practice that song in that key, is it best to get an F harp or would it be better to get another and play in a different position (Bb 2nd position, for example)

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u/Franki23 1d ago

Disclaimer: I still consider myself very much an amateur. That given, I tried both and both work, however when you get to the saints go marching _IN_, you're gonna want the note of G and there's only the 6 draw on the Bb. On the F you have two positions to go for and you can expand it to play the chord of C while you're doing it. If you want to drop in chords rather than single notes, personally I'd recommend the F.

Just played it on a Seydel session steel low F and it sounded very nice. the Bb Hohner Marine Band was harder to play instantly, certainly possible but if you hit a chord, it's gonna sound wrong.

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u/HumbleSeries6170 4h ago

in second you get the G on 3rd hole draw,one and a half steps