Tomlin Harmonica Lessons

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How to play a slow blues on harmonica

Today’s lesson is a slow 12 bar blues to show you how I would approach playing slow blues. You will need a harmonica in the key of C. We’re playing in 2nd position.

If you would like a free copy of the tab for it just click the button below.

Dynamics

We’re thinking about dynamics in this example. That means thinking about how hard you play. I’m consciously making the effort to play quite quietly and down in the lower octave, concentrating on low notes.

There is also quite a lot of time to think about how you can make one note sound different. I use hand wah on the 2 hole draw. This adds an almost vocal effect to the harmonica.

Another dynamic element I’m adding is a little bit of vibrato. This is where you warble the pitch a little bit using your throat.

Finally, instead of hitting notes straight on I am using inflections to make them sound more interesting. This means slightly bending and quickly releasing the note when you first play it. I use the vocalisation “kya” when I hit the note for this effect.

Call and response

I am a huge fan of call and response as a tool for improvisation. I’m using it a lot in this example. Over the one chord I have one very simple phrase which I then repeat with a slight variation. Similarly over the IV chord.

Turnaround

The turnaround deserves a little bit of time spent on it. Really slow it down and learn it so that you don’t have to think about it. You don’t need to improvise a turnaround. Have some good ones in your back pocket that you can just pull out without thinking.

Other techniques

Click here for lesson on hand wah.

Click here for lesson on warbles.

Audio clips of licks

Practice slowly with each lick individually below –


Backing Track

Once you have learnt each lick individually, try to putting them together over this backing track.


Thank you

Thank you so much for taking part in this lesson. I hope you found it useful. If you did, please share it with friends on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Happy harping!

Tomlin

Comments

  2. Barry says

    Tomlin I have a question on the tab sheet for the Slow Blues lesson. Some of the bent 3 draws (Bb’s on the C harp) show a 1/4 step bend. Should those be 1/2 step bends, or are you aiming to get just a “micro” bend? Thanks for all the great lessons and info, really getting lots out of it.

  6. Robert says

    Tomlin;

    Thanks for another superb lesson. I plan on ordering your improvisation course in a few weeks.

    Cheers

    Robert
    London, Canada

  7. tomlinleckie says

    I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂

    Looking forward to having you join the improv course.

    T

  10. Tom says

    Hey Tomlin,

    Thanks for the great lessons. I’ve downloaded tabs and now I’d like to link the associated backing track using OnSong. It seemsI can’t find a name for the track. Can you help with this?

    Thanks

  11. tomlinleckie says

    Hi Tom, it is just one one of my backing tracks which you can stream on this page. Happy harping! T

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