If you want to sound more bluesy and expressive on the harmonica, you need to learn how to make your harmonica growl. Luckily, it’s not as hard as it sounds. In fact, it’s a simple technique called a double stop—and I’m going to show you how to use it in a short eight-bar blues tune that you can start playing today.
All you need is a 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C—we’ll be playing in second position, which puts us in the key of G.
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What Is a Harmonica Growl (or Double Stop)?
A growl—or double stop—is when you play two holes at once to create a rough, raspy sound that gives your blues playing a gritty texture.
Start with the 3–4 draw. Try to play a clean three draw first, and then slowly let a bit of the four draw bleed in by pushing the harmonica in slightly and opening your mouth to the side. That gives you this nice, dirty blend of two notes. If you open too wide, it loses its edge—keep it tight and controlled.
Making It Sound Bluesy
To really bring the growl to life, add a slight bend to the three draw—just a half-step. It darkens the sound and gives it that soulful bluesy edge.
Then, if you want to take it further, add a little hand wah. It doesn’t have to be over the top—just enough to shape the tone and add some depth. Combine all that with dynamic control, and you’ve got a proper blues growl.
Lick 1: The Growl in Action
Lick one kicks off just before the bar starts. We lead into the one chord with a 3–4 draw growl and a nice clean two draw on beat one.
Then there’s space—two beats of rest—before you repeat the idea and finish it off with a bent two draw for that gritty blues tension over the five chord.
Take your time. Focus on locking in the rhythm and making that growl land with confidence.
Lick 2: Growling into the Four Chord
This next lick shifts us into the four chord. It follows the same pattern—growled 3–4 draw, then a two blow to reflect the chord change.
You’ll also use a four blow and then a quick phrase: three draw half-step bend into two draw. It’s rhythmic, punchy, and gives you a great chance to practise growling into a change.
Lick 3: Building Tension Before the Turnaround
Lick three has two parts.
The first half leads from the four chord back to the one chord—starting just after beat three with a mix of one draw, two blow, and a two draw that lands on beat one.
Then we rest—and the second half kicks off with a three draw, four draw, and four blow—followed by that classic bendy blues lick: three draw half-step bend into two draw and then a full bend down to a two draw whole step.
The growl here helps signal the movement between chords—and adds punch to your phrasing.
Turnaround Lick: Wrapping It Up with Style
The turnaround lives in the last two bars of our eight-bar blues. We play a line of quarter notes—two draw, three draw half-step bend, four blow, three draw half-step again—and then finish with a two draw into two quick one draw hits.
That final one draw is your root note of the five chord—perfect way to close the loop.
Putting It All Together
When you piece all the licks together, you’ve got a proper eight-bar blues. The trick is to understand where each lick starts and what each one is doing musically.
You’ll notice the two draw shows up right when the one chord starts. The two blow gives away the four chord. The four draw helps us hear the move to the five chord. These notes act like little signposts telling your listener what’s happening in the song.
Practise slowly first, then try it with the backing track. The track will help you hear the chord changes and lock into the groove—just be ready, it moves a little faster!
Where to Go Next
This is just one of many study pieces I teach inside Tomlin Harmonica School. You’ll find full blues tunes and expressive techniques like this—step by step—from complete beginner to advanced intermediate.
If you enjoyed this one, you’ll love my solo 12 bar blues chugging lesson. It’s another great piece for learning rhythm, feel, and tone.
Call to Action
Ready to make your harmonica playing sound like music—not just notes? Come join me inside Tomlin Harmonica School. You’ll get structure, support, and real blues skills.
Or check out the related lesson: Harmonica Chugging Solo Over 12 Bar Blues
Happy growling!
