The easiest Blues instrument to carry around is a harmonica, or as it's known in Blues jargon, a harp. Here's how to play the Blues on a harmonica.
Difficulty: N/A
Time Required: 1 Day
Here's How:
- Place the harp to your mouth with the lower notes on the left.
- As you blow, you will hear a chord. The key of this chord will be stamped on the harp somewhere. C, D, G etc.
- Now suck on the harp and you will hear another chord.
- To play Blues, resist the urge to start with a blow, and start with a suck.
- By sucking on the beat, and blowing off the beat, you will be playing in the Blues scale.
- To jam with others. First find out which key in which they are playing.
- To play the Blues with others, you don't use a harp in the same key. You need a harp that is a 4th above the key.
- If the key is C, you'll need a F harp.
- If the key is D you'll need a G harp.
- If the key is E you'll need an A harp.
- If the key is G you'll need a C harp.
- If the key is A, you'll need a D harp.
Tips:
- Listen and play along to your harmonica favorites.
- Carry several harps for jamming in different keys.
- Always have an escape plan.
