hook

When this song first crossed my path at a jam session I found it challenging to find a part to play that didn't conflict with the bass or guitar (two strong hooks are played). Going home after the jam and listening to what the horns and guitar played helped feed me some ideas. Here's what I play now (D harp in 2nd Position)...

I7 = 4 4, 4 4+ 3 3
IV7 = 6+ 6+, 6+ 5 5+ 5+
V7-IV7-I7 = 4/5 shake, 4+/5+ shake
Turnaround: 2 2, 2 2" 1 1

The next tune on our standards list is Junior Wells' "Messin’ with the Kid." This is another rock beat with a strong guitar hook and thematic hook in the opening (played once) and ending (played three times). Here's the opening thematic lick played on the harp (assuming the band is in the key of C)...

2nd Position (F Harmonica)
6+ 5 4 4+ 3' 3" 2 2" 2 - Be careful to play the 3' in tune, it's a challenging note in this passage and it sounds bad if you don't play it in pitch.

3rd Position
4 4+ 3" 3+ 2" 2+ 1 1+ 1 or 8 7+ 6 6+ 5 5+ 4 4+ 4

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band's version of "Walkin’ Blues" provides another rock beat/straight eighth groove with a strong hook. Here's the hook on the harp...

I7 = 2 2 2 2 2" or 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5 or Same with Octaves

IV7 = 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3'

V7 = 4 4 4 4 4+ (it's common for players to improvise from Bar 9 onward)

Our next variation via deletion is not as common, but very cool. Delete the first note. Make sure to rest on the downbeat of beat 2, where the first note was.

I7 = 2 2" 2 > 2" 2

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ > 3' 4+

V7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4+ 4

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4+ 4

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ > 5 6+

V7 = 6 6+ 6 > 6+ 6

Our first variation via deletion is the most common one for this hook. Delete the third note...

I7 = 2 2" 2 > 2 2"

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ > 4+ 3'

V7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4 4+

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 > 4 4+

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ > 6+ 5

V7 = 6 6+ 6 > 6 6+

Give this a try while playing the song and listen to the effect it has. Have a great weekend everyone... see you on Monday.

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+ - The 4+ can be played as an octave and the 3' can be played as a two-note combo (3' with 4'). You can also do a shake (3' with 4'), but is less common.

V7 = 4 4+ 4 - A perfect opportunity to use octaves, and is the most common way players will present the V7.

And your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 - Octaves are the way to go here (take a listen to "I'm Ready" from the Father & Son's album featuring Paul Butterfield. Different song, but same note combination in octaves).

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ - Same as the I7 in 2nd Position we spoke of yesterday continue reading...

The first step in experimenting is to move your hook up or down an octave...

I7 = 2 2" 2 turns into 6+ 5 6+ (or 9+ 9 9+ in rare cases)

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+

V7 = 4 4+ 4 turns into 8 7+ 8, but due to the IV7 not being able to be moved up an octave negates this option

And your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4 turns into 1 1+ 1 or 8 7+ 8

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+ turns into 2 2" 2 or 9+ 9 9+

V7 = 6 6+ 6 turns into 3" 2 3" or 10 9+ 10 continue reading...

Here's the hook the piano and guitar play. Play this on your F (or Low-F) harmonica in 2nd Position,

I7 = 2 2" 2

IV7 = 4+ 3' 4+

V7 = 4 4+ 4

Or on your Bb Harmonica in 3rd Position...

I7 = 4 4+ 4

IV7 = 6+ 5 6+

V7 = 6 6+ 6

The concept of variation is pretty straight forward... present an idea and then repeat it with some change. By repeating an idea you create a theme for a chorus or entire song if you carry it through to the end. If you repeat it through the entire song, then we call that idea the Hook of that song.

Our example for this series will be B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby" from the release "Blues on Blues," available on the iTunes store. This performance is in the key of C, so you'll need an F Harmonica (I prefer the Low F) for the following examples. continue reading...