David's Tip of the Day: Flat 7th - 3 Levels of Matching, Part 1 (Description)

When students work on Accompaniment Study 5 they learn about the bluesy flat-7th (this is the seventh note from the root of the chord, lowered down by half step... what's called an interval of a minor 7th). This is your 5 draw in 2nd Position for example. When you first started to jam on the harp you soon found that the 5 draw was a great, bluesy note. In fact, it's the ONLY blues note on your harmonica (and its octave equivalent 9 draw) without using the technique of bending.

Not all blues is dark though (think Jump & Swing Blues... a VERY common approach on the blues harmonica since the release of Little Walter's "Juke"). You may have noticed that when playing to a groove with a lighter feel (of which there are many), that the 5 draw sounded like the worst note to play.

So, yes, the flat-7th can be a killer choice... an okay choice... or the worst-sounding choice... all depending on the context of what the other musicians' are playing (commonly known as the "groove" being played).

Tomorrow we'll explore why this great, free bluesy note can be the best choice at times and the worst at others.