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The standard thing to do is to learn what Rice Miller played and you play it as well. Since this song is in minor, I recommend that you make sure to play all of the 3 draws as 3' (matching the minor 3rd found in minor) and deemphasize, or delete all together, 2+'s and 5+'s (the major 6th will clash in minor).

Another approach is to create your own solo. If you do this, make sure to stay to the Blues Scale (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/movement_exercises_study_2_scales), it contains no notes that will clash with minor.

"What do you do about the iv7 Chord?"

Playing the same i7 chord lick over the iv7 chord is the answer. The i7 lick is G G G Bb C which are all notes of the iv7 chord (C Eb G Bb). Though the rest of the band moves away, you're still playing the same rhythm and contour as them. Though they're not the same notes, they are in harmony with what the band is playing.

We don't always get this lucky, but we'll take it when we can! Give this a try by playing along to the original track.

Our next song on the School of the Blues House Band Standards list is "Help Me" by Rice Miller. This iconic tune is one of the rare tunes in minor, F Minor to specific. Miller uses the Bb Harmonica in 2nd Position, and although there are some rough areas of major against minor, he still makes it work.

Your homework this weekend is to listen to the song and try to copy what he plays in the opening chorus and solo. On Monday we'll discuss how to approach both accompaniment and improvising. continue reading...