This lesson introduces you to a different form of blues known as a one chord blues. As its name suggests there is just one chord. This is the I chord.
The example of a one chord blues that I am looking at is “On the Road Again” by Canned Heat.
The original version of this song uses an A harmonica in 2nd position (key of E). However, for the purposes of this lesson I will be showing you how to play it on a C harmonica in 2nd position (key of G).
In order to play this song you will need to be able to bend the 2 hole draw a whole step. The way to do this is imagined that the clean note is an βAh” sound and the bent note is a βcar” sound. Really make sure that the harmonica is very deep inside your mouth. This will help getting the bend.
Sitting on the 2 draw
Because this is a one chord blues you will be emphasising the root note of the one chord. So, you will be sitting on the 2 hole draw.
You are also accentuating the offbeat. This means playing in between the beats. If you are not sure how to do this check out my lesson on –Β offbeat and rhythm chugging for beginners
On the Road Again
You should definitely check out the original song by Canned Heat. It is a classic harmonica tune. You can hear it by clicking this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKNw477onU
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.
Happy harping and see you next Wednesday for the next lesson!
Are the tabs for “On the Road Again ” available?
Thank you so much for all the lessons and videos! Your help is an enormous boon!
HI Rustin, I’m afraid I don’t have any tabs for “On the Road Again”. I will do a lesson on it soon though π
when Tomlin when ???? π
Hi Bob, it is on the list but as I’m sure you can imagine there are quite a lot of lesson requests π