Harmonica Basics XV - Harmonica Blues Scale, Cross Harp, Lower Octave

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Hi, my name is Luke "Playa T." Clebsch. Thank you for watching another one of my free harmonica lessons "Harmonica Basics 15: The Blues Scale, Cross Harp, Lower Octave." I cover the bottom 5 notes that you can play in cross-harp on the blues scale. This will help you learn how to play blues harmonica! Here are the blues harmonica tabs in C:
Descending:
2- 2-(Whole Step) 1- 1-(half-step) 1+
Ascending:
1+ 1-(H) 1-(released) 2-(W) 2-(released)
Intervalically, this relates to Root, m7, P5, tritone, P4 (descending,) and
P4, tritone, P5, m7, Root (ascending.)
So to play all the harmonica notes in the cross harp blues scale from hole 1 to 6, here are the blues harmonica tabs in C:
2- 3-(H) 4+ 4-(h) 4- 5- 6+
6+ 5- 4- 4-(h) 3-(h) 2- 2-(W) 1- 1-(h) 1+ 1-(h) 1- 2-(w) 2-
I then go over some articulation ideas: legato (smooth and connected) vs staccato (short and choppy - saying "tut" with tongue against harmonica.)
Finally I go over taking some "patterns" or "sequences" through the scale.
Groups of 3
2- 3-(h) 4+ 3-(h) 4+ 4-(h) 4+ 4-(h) 4- 4-(h) 4- 5- 4- 5- 6+
6+ 5- 4- 5- 4- 4-(h) 4- 4-(h) 4+ 4-(h) 4+ 3-(h) 4+ 3-(h) 2- 3-(h) 2- 2-(W) 2- 2-(W) 1-
1- 1-(h) 1+ 1+ 1-(h) 1- 1-(h) 1- 2-(W) 1- 2-(W) 2-
I then take this same principle for the cross-harp blues scale but in groups of 4's, and then in the pattern 121, 232, 343...etc. (those are not hole references, but refer to steps of the scale.) For all these patterns, I start on the root (2 draw) ascend to the root (6 blow) descend to the IV (1 blow) and ascend back to the root (2 draw.)
Practicing these types of sequences, or patterns, on the harmonica blues scale will really get you familiar with how the scale fits on the harmonica in a more intimate way, and you will be able to be more expressive with your harp playing.
Be patient with this process. It may take several weeks, months, or years to get comfy with playing these sequences. Think up other ones too. And also take them through the first position major scale!
I hope you've enjoyed "Harmonica Basics 15: Blues Scale, Cross-Harp, Lower Octave"
If you have any further questions, leave a comment for the video or connect with me via
My website: eepurl.com/Gry_n
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If you found this harmonica lesson helpful, please let me know and like it! Also, please subscribe to my channel. I will try to upload new free harmonica tutorials often.
Aloha,
Playa T.
Harmonica Blues!

[@jbradt2020]

Hey Luke! Just wanted to say thanks for putting these videos together. I've been following along and they've helped me out a ton. It's been a long time since I've played any instrument and have just recently started the harp. I've checked out a ton of different instructional videos on KZbin for the harmonica. There are some good channels out there, but yours is by far the best I've found. To the point where I've stopped looking for other options. Keep up the great work!

[@glennmcdaniel4486]

cool video man. LOL... made it look easy. Something I have always wanted to learn how to play. One instrument you can walk around with it in your pocket. Living down here in the south (Alabama) we love the blues.

[@dustinharris9332]

i've been watching adam gussow and he's an amazing player but I seem to get more out of your lessons. keep up the great work!

[@FunkyHarp]

Thanks so much for your kind words - yeah, working different sequences through the scale can end up generating some cool ideas, huh? This is one of my least viewed videos, and some of the best material, in my opinion. Play on, bruthah!

[@ghostlynord]

thank you so much for doing this luke this helps so much through the day thank you

[@TM-ry8vn]

You are so cool, Luke. Learning Harmonica is really fun with you. Thank you for your videos.

[@TheBustedrobot]

thanks for the videos...ive been trolling this site a a while and i like your thing...i never knew the theorie behind what ive been doing..plus you finally give me something to play with,nice...keep it up pard..

[@haldx]

Thanks for the awesome videos. This one is especially good. I've been playing scales just up and down in order, but these variations you've shared will be something new.

[@Leontopofme]

You, sir. Are an awesome teacher.

[@FunkyHarp]

Thanks!

[@oliverstieglitz]

Great lesson. Great basics. Thanks.

[@FunkyHarp]

My pleasure!

[@chuckklein6063]

Easy steps for me :-) I like that I can play along with your examples.

[@Andrisch123]

Hey. Luke, this video was amazing! I found a backing track for A blues (I got a new D-tuned Hohner for Christmas), and I started to improvise along the blues scale based on the notes you showed, and it was awesome! I just felt the music, you know what I mean...I can hardly wait to keep watching your lessons!

[@FunkyHarp]

Siiiik! Keep with it man. Glad you're having fun with it!

[@donmayer6619]

Great exercise! It would be helpful to see tabs for the pattern practice exercises. Mahalo

[@sergeykolesov7785]

Great tutorial, easier to realise that all after video)))) Thx!!!

[@TheQuintus0]

Very good video as always !

[@FunkyHarp]

As cjsimon said, just keep at it! It took me a loooooooong time. :-)

[@Lezcarg1]

You explain very well, however i believe that adding some written numbers will help a lot! tnks.

[@FunkyHarp]

In the "Description" underneath the video click on, "Show More" and you will see I've tabbed everything out for you. That's true of all of my videos, by the way.

[@Biodrummer1]

FunkyHarp Wow, thank you!

[@kelvinini]

dude you should have your website working, man you got good stuff

[@FunkyHarp]

Mahalo!

[@stregan7]

Man! I cannot seem to get my bends down the full octave on the 1 and 2 draws. So irritating!

[@cjsimon]

keep practicing, it takes some time