Blues in E on Chromatic - Part 6

Part 6 – Sweetening Avoid Note #1, second third

Last installment you started using the slide to get the note F#, sweetening up the sour note F. You approached and left the F# (a slide-in draw note) via E (slide-out blow note in the same hole.)

In this installment you’ll start connecting F# with D, the slide-out draw note to the left. (in the next installment, you’ll connect F# to A and G, the notes one hole to the right.

To get started, move between the notes D and F in Holes 1 and 2:

1D – 2D – 1D – 2D (etc.)

To move to Hole 2, you slide the harmonica to the left, with the move coming from your right hand. Then you move it back to the right to return to Hole 1, moving the harmonica with your left hand.

Now try adding the slide to move between D (Draw 1) and F# (Draw 2 with the slide in).

-- Start in Hole 1 Draw, and move to Hole 2 Draw.

-- As you move the harmonica to the left, you also have to press the slide in to the left with your right forefinger. The slide needs to move a little faster than the harmonica.

Now try moving back from F# (Draw 2, slide in) to D (Draw 1, slide out)

-- You slide the harmonica to the right

-- You release the slide button and let it spring to the out position.

The complete cycle:

1D – 2D< – 1D – 2D< (etc.)

First try simple alternating between the two draw notes, then add the slide. Work on coordinating the press and release of the slide to get a clean alternation with the slide moving at the right moment. (But also note the effects you get when the slide is not in coordination.)

Work on getting the same moves an octave higher, in Holes 5 and 6:

5D – 6D< – 5D – 6D< (etc.)

Now try working this move into some licks:

2B – 1D – 2D< - 1D – 2B – 3B

1D – 2D< – 2B – 1D – 2B

1D – 2D< – 2B – 1D – 2B – 3B – 2B

6B – 5D – 6D< – 5D – 6B – 7B

5D – 6D< – 6B – 5D – 6B

5D – 6D< – 6B – 5D – 6B – 7B – 6B

4D – 5D – 6D< – 5D – 6B – 7B – 7D – 7B

Try finding more licks that use this new move.