Here is another 12 bar shuffle blues example for beginners to try out. You will need a C harmonica.
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I’m trying to get you out of the habit of sticking around the lower octave near the 2 hole draw. Instead we’ll be looking at playing higher up at the “dusty end”.
Something to think about when you are playing with a band is that playing higher up on the harmonica cuts through very well. Indeed, I quite often avoid playing up high because I find it too shrill but that is because I’m playing out of context without a band. If you play with a band, having that shrillness actually sounds really good because the other instruments usually occupy lower frequencies.
Repeating licks
Hopefully you’re starting to realise that you can repeat licks with small variations in order to construct a good 12 bar melody. This example is no different to really try and see the way that I have added variations to my initial idea rather than creating completely new licks all the time.
Repeating licks also helps to create a sense of logic in the melody. Imagine someone was speaking to you but each sentence had no relation to the previous one. Makes no sense does it? The same is true of music. Think of it as a good conversation!
Individual lick audio clips
Play along with the audio clips below to nail each individual lick before putting them all together
Backing track
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