Hello and welcome to this week’s harmonica lesson, where you will learn to play a one chord blues.
You will need a harmonica in the key of C which you will be playing in 2nd position in the key of G major.
Click here to download lesson resources
What is a one chord blues?
As its name suggests there are no chord changes like in a standard 12 bar blues progression. Instead, you just stay on the I chord. This sounds like it might get quite boring but personally this is one of my favourite styles to play as it leaves lots of room for dynamic improvisation. This means working on the volume and density of notes.
One Chord Blues Licks
Backing Track
Click here to download lesson resources
Accenting the offbeat
We are going to be focusing on notes that fall on the offbeat. That is to say, notes in between the beat.
This will take a bit of time to get initially but try and play really slowly to start with and you will easily get the hang of it.
Song examples
Alabama train
Shake your hips
Bad to the Bone
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 Twitter.
If you have any questions just send me a wee email.
Happy Harping!
Very good lesson
Tomlin, near the end of the first lick, you mention that the 3 draw is played with a half step bend. But the tab says 1/4 step bend. I don’t have enough experience to know by ear just what you are playing there. Is it a half step bend, or is it the “blue third” you mentioned in another lesson?
Hi Timothy – The tab is not entirely accurate I’m afraid.It should be a 1/2 not a 1/4. I hope that helps.
Hey tomlin. I don’t plan playing with a band or a guitar play . I have a C and A. So I don’t use back tracking . love ur lessons thank. I wish I could get the Edonburg harmonica workshop. But all you guys are great
So glad you enjoy the lessons Dave 🙂