Today we are going to be looking at some groovy background rhythm harmonica to help fill a band’s sound out. You will need a harmonica in the key of C played in 2nd position.
Click here to download lesson resources
Enunciate
This is a very rhythmic 12 bar tune so you really want to make it pop by enunciating the first 2 notes of the phrase using your tongue.
Chugging
I am alternating between single notes and rhythmic chugging to try and replicate a bass player grooving with a drummer. After all, harmonica players are expected to hold everything down!
Call and response
Finally, although I am using a lot of repetition I am also doing some call and response phrases to stop it from getting boring for the listener. However, none of them are particularly flash. We’re not taking a solo, we are just adding some background filler on the harmonica. Don’t try and take centre stage just yet!
Audio clips of every 2 bars played slowly
Click here to download lesson resources