Play Like A Harmonica Pro (1): Build Tension, Hold the 5 Chord

[hbombharry]

you are god lol

[leesankeygroup]

@hbombharry thanks for watching Harry (?), I have over 30 tuitional videos on my YouTube channel now. Lee

[Tsutsomu]

Fantastic lesson Lee.

Thank you so much

Steph.

[escort325]

Very informative videos....thank you!

[leesankeygroup]

@escort325 Hi Rick, thanks for saying hello and subscribing. There's now four videos in this Play Like A Pro series and I have about 25 other blues harp lessons on my channel. Hope you find them helpful. Lee

[Rockers1957]

super lesson lee! so the band holds the 5 chord as well as the harp player?

would also love to see a lesson on the making the 4-chord sound 'stronger' - alternatives to playing the 4 chord as 1 or 4 blow?

[leesankeygroup]

@Rockers1957 Hey Barry, yes in this context the band would also hold the 5 chord as well, with everyone returning to the 1 at the same time for the 'release'.

For the 4 chord, try using the blow 2 or 5. But here's the key thing, experiment. Don't let someone like me give you all the answers. I'm always happy to point people in the right direction but you (players in general) need to use your ears and try things out to see how they work. That's the best way to truly improve. Lee

[leesankeygroup]

@leesankeygroup I uploaded this video which touches upon using other notes to emphasis chord changes, like going to the 4 for instance. "Play Like A Harmonica Pro (3): Add Flourishes to Your Blues Licks". Check it out.

Want some homework? What's a two note sequence on the draw 3 hole you could use to show a shift to the four chord?

[arnenym]

I did not hear what artist you recemmend us listen to.??

Who's version of blues for the west side?

[leesankeygroup]

@arnenym Hi it was Ronnie Earl. He's a wonderful blues guitarist. Lee

[celticjim17]

Thanks Lee. Would you be willing to share your low end rhythm chord that you are using to leave and come back to?

[leesankeygroup]

@celticjim17 Hi Jim (?), at which point (time) do I play the rhythm you're interested in? The one that provides the backing for the 5 chord is the draw 1 and 4 octave. You need to tongue block to do this. Let me know if that's what you're looking for. Lee

[caracho1980]

Are you playing overblows tongue blocked? Kind regards!

[leesankeygroup]

@caracho1980 Hi, yes I am. They still need a lot of work though! On some harps I'll ob 5,6 and od 7 tongue blocked. Still have to lip pursue the ob 4. Thanks, Lee

[caracho1980]

@caracho1980 Wow, thats great!

[leesankeygroup]

@caracho1980 It's a cool thing to do in a solo. Try it out a jam. Just signal to the band to hold the 5 chord. I find experienced players know what you mean just by holding 5 fingers up. But maybe I've just been lucky!