Blues Harmonica Riffs & Licks

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Year Membership Sale Year Membership Sale Home : Instruction : Blues Improv Main Page : Blues Harmonica Riffs & Licks Many of the advanced-beginner/intermediate level blues harmonica riffs below (sometimes called blues harp licks), involve the use of bent notes and hole 2 Draw. If you are just starting out, take a look at the Beginning Blues: Almost Blues Scale page (in our Members Area with Video) which also includes the simpler "ABS Riffs" (Almost Blues Scale Riffs) (also available in our Members Area).*Scroll down past the blues riffs and audio examples for General Information and further explanations. Triplet riffs AUDIO: "Blues Riff #1" If you have difficulty playing the hole 2 Draw note, you can substitute the hole 3 Blow for 2 Draw until you have the ability to make the hole 2 Draw come out correctly. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. ABS Riff AUDIO: "Blues Riff #2" 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. ABS Riff AUDIO: "Blues Riff Pattern" Examples played followed by some explanation. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. ABS Riff AUDIO: "Blues Riff #3" Examples played followed by some explanation. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. ABS Riff AUDIO: "Blues Riff #4" This is not only a classic great sounding blues riff, but also the perfect place to practice and improve your hole 2 Draw bend. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. ABS Riff AUDIO: "Mannish Boy Riff" The first two played examples leave off the repeated hole 2 Draw at end of riff. The next example plays the riff 4 times in a row and adding the extra hole 2 Draws at end. Then, the following example includes the optional hole 3B (after hole 4B) for slower tempo songs. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. ABS Riff AUDIO: "Warble" A very common blues sound/technique. The tempo is kept very slow here for those new to the warble. For a more in-depth study of the warble, visit the Warbles Technique page. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic. Triplet riffs AUDIO: "Triplet Riffs" Examples of the 4 triplets followed by explanation of the difference between shuffled and straight 1/8 notes. Click here for our Theory section which will give you a more in-depth look at "Straight vs. Shuffle 1/8 notes". Then, emphasis on the first note of the triplet is explained and demonstrated. 2nd Position in the key of "G" on a "C" diatonic.

    General Information

  • "Text Tab" system of music notation- Tabs are a simplified way to notate harmonica solos, harmonica parts, and melodies or songs, without having to formally read music. Below is an example of our text tab system for 10-hole diatonic harmonica. The Harmonica Lessons.com tab system The 10-hole diatonic "text tab" system.
  • Blues Riffs- A riff is a slang term for a short musical phrase that is usually repeated or repeatable. Simple blues riffs are perhaps the most common way for one to begin improvising on the diatonic harmonica. Use repetition of a single riff, and pauses between these riffs, to create a more melodic feeling to your playing.
  • All riffs are played in the 2nd Position (also called "Cross Harp" or "Blues Harp Style")- For more information on 2nd Position , visit the General Overview section.
  • Use your own timing- Except for the triplet riffs, you can use your own timing with these riffs to make them fit into whatever song you are playing with. Listen to the sound file below the riffs to help get you started.
  • Problem with the hole 2 Draw- If you have a problem with the hole 2 Draw you can substitute the hole 3 Blow until you have the ability to make the hole 2 Draw come out correctly.
  • "Jam-To" Blues MIDI File- If you would like a quick, easy background song to begin jamming to, you can use the "Jam-To" MIDI File in "G" to try out the different riffs and ideas outlined here. Additional MIDI files are also available. Back to Top
Sample Video "Beginner Harmonica Lessons" Click to play video Tip- "Move Harmonica, Not Head" A simple playing tip to speed up your movement and add accuracy in single notes. Click to play videoAdvantage of 2nd Position over 1st,Bluesy BendsIn this excerpt, Dave discusses some of the reasons for playing in either 1st Position or 2nd Position. Click to play videoBeginner Harmonica ChordsDave gives a general overview of what you can obtain from both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas in regards to harmonica chords. "Advanced Harmonica Tips" Click to play video Breathing Tip: Follow Thru with Airflow Dave explains how the concept of "Follow Through", as found in many sports, also applies directly to your breathing and airflow. Click to play videoBlues Scale SectionsLearn the value of not just learning a scale up and down, but instead dividing the 2nd Position Blues Scale into smaller "bite-size" chunks, which can then be used as blues riffs. Click to play videoTonguing Technique: "Chicken Call"Dave demonstrates how you can use the "Tonguing" technique to create interesting sounds such as the "Chicken Call". Our Harmonica Store Lee Oskar Diatonic ImageLee Oskar"Starter Harmonica" Hohner Crossover DiatonicHohner Crossover(Bamboo Comb) Seydel 1847 Classic HarmonicaSeydel 1847 Classic "Pro Quality - Stainless Steel Reeds" Hohner Special 20"Great 1st Harmonica" Suzuki Manji Diatonic Harmonicas - Set of 3Suzuki Manji DiatonicHarmonicas - Set of 3 Suzuki 12-HoleChromatic Harmonica Hard copy beginner book / Lee Oskar Harmonica PackageBeginner Paperback Book |Lee Oskar Harmonica Sign-Up Now ♦ Over 45 Hours of Video Lessons ♦ 1-on-1 Private Lessons over Zoom (One FREE with Year Mem.) ♦ New signups receive a FREE 10-minute "Getting Started" phone call Join Now More From Harmonica Store Seydel Soft Harmonica CaseLee Oskar Package Deal:6 Popular Harmonica Keyswith Soft Carry Case Bob Dylan PackageBob Dylan Package:Hohner Crossover,Song-Tab Books,Harmonica Holder Seydel Soft Harmonica CaseSeydel SoftHarmonica CaseHolds 14 Harmonicas Hohner Special 20Package (5 keys/case) Copyright © 1999- Dave Gage. All Rights Reserved. | HarmonicaLessons.comTM is a trademark of AYM Music.

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