harmonica

I'm seeing a lot of students squeezing the harp when holding. Relax those hands... if you're not achieving the desired result, experiment with the angle of your hands. Visit http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/cupping_hand_effects and http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/intro_lesson_1_18_harmonica_insights

Moving this hook to 1st Position you probably noticed an issue with the IV7 Chord.

The I7 is C Bb C, which is played on 4+ 3' 4+, no problem, it sounds good.

The V7 is G F G, which is 2 2" 2 and 6+ 5 6+, again, sounds great.

The IV7 is F Eb F. F is not a problem (2" and 5), but Eb is only found on 8'+, 1OB (1 overblow) and 4OB (4 overblow). For this reason, many players will not choose to play this common hook in 1st Position.

There is an option though! continue reading...

What you found yesterday was that the notes were the same between the two positions. This is another way of looking at how positions work... simply find the same notes on any other harmonica and you are playing in a "position." Look at the C harmonica now and figure out how to play this hook in 1st Position.

I7 = 2 2" 2 = C Bb C

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ = F Eb F

V7 = 4 4+ 4 = G F G

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 = C Bb C

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ = F Eb F

V7 = 6 6+ 6 = G F G

Take a look at the 2nd Position (F harp) and 3rd Position (Bb harp) versions of the hook example and reference them to the note chart below. Figure out which notes are being played for each chord and write them down.

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/private/Har...

I7 = 2 2" 2

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+

V7 = 4 4+ 4

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+

V7 = 6 6+ 6

Ryan Walker (Intermediate student on the site) and I play the examples for you in today's video post at https://www.facebook.com/bluesharmonica/ or at top left of the site in David's Corner for this month (November).

Our next variation via deletion is not as common, but very cool. Delete the first note. Make sure to rest on the downbeat of beat 2, where the first note was.

I7 = 2 2" 2 > 2" 2

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ > 3' 4+

V7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4+ 4

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4+ 4

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ > 5 6+

V7 = 6 6+ 6 > 6+ 6

Our first variation via deletion is the most common one for this hook. Delete the third note...

I7 = 2 2" 2 > 2 2"

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ > 4+ 3'

V7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4 4+

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4 4+

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ > 6+ 5

V7 = 6 6+ 6 > 6 6+

Give this a try while playing the song and listen to the effect it has. Have a great weekend everyone... see you on Monday.

Now that you've played the hook as it's presented in the song and experimented with adding textures for variation, how about using deletion as a way to bring interest? Experiment with this and see what type of ideas you come up with. I'll share some of my thoughts tomorrow.

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ - The 4+ can be played as an octave and the 3' can be played as a two-note combo (3' with 4'). You can also do a shake (3' with 4'), but is less common.

V7 = 4 4+ 4 - A perfect opportunity to use octaves, and is the most common way players will present the V7.

And your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 - Octaves are the way to go here (take a listen to "I'm Ready" from the Father & Son's album featuring Paul Butterfield. Different song, but same note combination in octaves).

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ - Same as the I7 in 2nd Position we spoke of yesterday continue reading...

Now that you have the hook dialed in, experiment with changing the way you present the hook.

I7 = 2 2" 2 doesn't have many options, but 6+ 5 6+ does. Use slaps to present them. Try slaps on the 6+ and flutter on the 5 (this is a very common way to present this lick). Octaves are great (though 2/5 is not an octave, it's an acceptable dissonance). Maybe start the lick with a pull to give it a rhythmic change.

Experiment with the other chords to see what you come up with.