Hello and welcome to this week’s lesson, where I will be showing you what a shuffle rhythm is and how to play 6 Fun Blues Harmonica Licks using it!
You will need a harmonica in the key of C, and we will be playing in 2nd position in the key of G.
Click here to download lesson resources
What is a shuffle rhythm?
This is all about how we think of 1/8th notes. In a straight rhythm 1/8th notes last the same amount of time whether they land on the beat or the off-beat. However, in a shuffle rhythm the 1/8th note that lands on the beat is longer than the one that lands on the off-beat.
As a result of this difference between the 1/8th notes we get a nice swingy feeling rhythm which sounds like “Humpty-Dumpty”.
Lick 1
Lick 1 Audio
Lick 2
Lick 2 Audio
Lick 3
Lick 3 Audio
Lick 4
Lick 4 Audio
Lick 5
Lick 5 Audio
Lick 6
Lick 6 Audio
Backing Track – Medium Shuffle in G (acoustic guitar, no turnaround)
Here is a backing track for you to practice playing these licks over.
Click here to download lesson resources
Thank you
Thank you so much for taking part in this lesson. I hope it was useful for you. If you enjoyed it please feel free to share it with your friends on Facebook and/or Twitter.
If you have any questions just send me a wee email.
See you next Wednesday for the next harmonica lesson!
Keep Calm And Play Harmonica
Click here to pre-order your very own ‘Keep Calm And Play Harmonica’ T-shirt. Available in many sizes in black or red. If you pre-order before the 15th August 2017 I will include free worldwide shipping when I send them out on the 1st September.
Love your lessons and your style. How do I order a t. Shirt?
Tomlin, what shipping method do you use for the T shirts?? Thanks, Bob H
Hi Tomlin, how do I download the backing track for this lesson?
David Cox
Great lesson. I like the guitar track that I can practice the licks with Thankyoy.
Nice lesson, Tomlin!
I find some of the licks pretty hard as I am still a beginner when it comes to bending. But it’s actually a nice way to practice on that.
You can order the t-shirt here – https://www.tomlinharmonicalessons.com/product/keep-calm-play-harmonica-t-shirt-black-red/
Hi Bob – I send them using Royal Mail.
Hi David – I’m currently working on a way for people to download backing tracks for the lessons – watch this space.
Where can I look to the guitar tabs of the backing track?
Hi Toni, I’m afraid I don’t have guitar tabs for the backing tracks. Tomlin