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Playing above the sixth hole in 2nd Position is generally rare for post-war blues harmonica players. The 1961 instrumental "Steady" by Jerry McCain is a rare example of one of our classic blues harmonica players doing just that. The lick is found in the 4th Chorus, with a pickup of 4 5+ 6+ and the main lick of 6 7 8. He's using a Bb Harmonica. The recording I have is from "Blues Masters, Vol. 4: Harmonica Classics (Rhino R2 71124)," though I just looked it up on iTunes and it can be found on "Harmonica Classics By The Blues Masters" and can be purchased individually. continue reading...

Though only one of the blue notes in the blues scale is available from holes 6+ to 9+, it's still a viable way to play, especially when you add the 6 and 6' to round out the scale. Put on a more bluesy jam track (a "Box" is a good choice) and give it a try.

Upper Octave Blues Scale (Modified): 6+ 6' 6 7+ 8 9 9+

The Major Pentatonic Scale we started with in this series was 6+ 6 7 8 8+ 9+ 10. The same notes are found one octave lower 2 3" 3 4 5+ 6+ 6. These are notes we use all the time. Try making up some licks with these lower notes and moving them up an octave. This is called octave substitution and is a tool often used by improvisers to move up to the high end in a way that makes melodic sense, and commonly without the need of a slick transition lick. Take this lick for example: 2 3" 3 4 5+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 6+ and then repeat it at 6+ 6 7 8 8+ 9+ 9+ 8+ 9+. I use this in my instrumental study song "Blow! continue reading...

In Improvising Study 2 you learned about Focus Notes. These are the most common notes to start a lick on, and are based on the I7 Chord (G B D F on a C Harmonica in 2nd Position). Now that you've worked on Focus Notes on holes 1 through 6, it's time to work them from holes 6 to 9. Improvise again to the jam track you played with yesterday and now play one chorus starting, or playing a pickup to, the 6+ G (Root). Then the next chorus on the 7 B (3rd). Another chorus on 8 D (5th). Then 9 F (flat-7th). And lastly 9+ G (Root again). continue reading...