More keys for the Melody Maker

Same idea. On a standard C harp you play second position key of G. In the key of G all the F notes are sharp so the natural F on the C harp becomes a flatted 7th. Good for blues but not all melodies. Country tuning raises draw 5 to an F# so you can play a G major scale in second position on a C harp. Draw 9 is also an F. Raising draw 9 and draw 5 to F# is sometimes called Double Country. Blow 9 can be bent down to get the F# on a standard Richter. Melody Maker raises draw 5 and draw 9. It also raises blow 3.

On a C Richter draw 2 and blow 3 are both G notes. There is no A note in the low end. Melody Maker raises the G in blow 3 to an A. So 3 notes are changed on the MM.

The result is two complete major scales in second position without bending. From draw 2 to blow 6 and from blow 6 to blow 9.

Bent draw 3 is a flat 3rd. Bent draw 4 is a flat 5th. Bent draw 5 is a flat 7th. These are very useful notes. The Melody Maker can play the exact melody of many tunes. Playing in second position sounds more expressive than first position. When you hear a diatonic harmonica on a professional recording it is usually being played in second position.

Thanks. That would probably be difficult for me since I've been playing a regular diatonic for so long and predominately in first position.

The fact that you play a standard diatonic would not be a problem. Country tuning and Melody Maker are simple variations of standard Richter and I find it very easy to switch between them. The tricky part would be switching from first position play to second position. Anyone who already plays in second on a standard harp would have no trouble with a Melody Maker. The Melody Maker is actually easier to play second position melodies on than a Richter. If you are not familiar with second position then you would have to study and learn.