6 Easy Blues Harmonica Riffs (No Bending)
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
► Need a fast track for learning harmonica? www.harmonica.com/lessons/
► Get all 6 Riff's here: www.harmonica.com/6-easy-blue...
Thanks so much for watching my free harmonica lesson on how to play six easy blues harmonica riffs that require no bending. You CAN play Blues harmonica without knowing how to bend!
1.) Riff #1 works great as an opener, but can truly be played anywhere in the form and will sound great. Playing the 1st note twice and the last note twice are great variations on this one:
-4 4 -4 -3 -2
Variation 1: -4 -4 4 -4 -3 -2
Variation 2: -4 4 -4 -3 -2 -2
2.) Riff #2 fits really well over the IV chord, but also can be played anywhere:
4 4 -3 4 -3
3.) Riff #3 is a great one used by many Blues harp masters to lead into the 1st bar of the 3rd 4-Bar phrase where we go to the V chord. It’s important to slide from -1 to the -4.
-1 2 -2 -1 -4
► Haven’t memorized the 12-Bar Blues? www.harmonica.com/blues-harmo...
4.) Riff #4 is a great illustration of the draw-more-than-blow principle, and is a kind of sound you can hear in the playing of Big Walter Horton and James Cotton, among others, and it’s a really fun one.
-5 5 -4 -3 -2
5.) Riff #5 is a Turnaround riff. The word turnaround refers to the last 2 bars of the 12-bar form, and it’s named such because those last 2 bars “turn us around” back to the top of the form.
This riff is a legit turnaround riff that requires no bending and is a variation on one played commonly by Chicago Blues master Big Walter Horton. It’s a little tricky to learn, but it’s worth taking the time to work it out because it’s super-fun to play, and once you get it you’ll be able to play it (and simplified versions of it) for years to come!
-2 -2 2 3 2 -2 -1 -1
6.) Riff #6 is also a great riff that sounds like what many blues masters will use to end a song. You’ll probably recognize it. Having something in your back pocket that you can play for intros, turnarounds, and endings is a fast way to get from sounding like a hack to sounding like a pro, so I wanted to include a killer ending riff for you here, and this is one of the best that requires no bending:
6 5 -4 4 -3 -4 5 6
Congratulations! My advice is to put on backing tracks and use these riffs to make up your own solos. Take just one of these riffs and try playing it throughout a whole chorus. That can be a really great exercise because you’re naturally going to want to vary the phrasing to add interest.
You can just Google “Backing track blues in G” to find some different grooves to jam over, besides using the one here:
If you’re looking for a fast track to learning the harmonica, you may wanna consider my course Beginner to Boss. Other than that, thanks for checking out this lesson 6 Easy Blues Harmonica Riffs for Beginners. I hope you liked it. Keep on rocking the harmonica and making the world a better place.
Aloha,
Luke
Пікірлер: 135
Good humor, easy to learn! I am 71 now and started playing harp last year, and it works!!!! Cheers from Russia!
@Harmonicacom
29 күн бұрын
That's great! Rock on! 😎
I like when you put the notes on screen too. I'm an old trumpet player so notes are useful for the way I think vs hole numbers. Thanks
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Oh, cool. I was worried it might confuse some people, but thought I'd try it out. Glad you like them!
Thank you so much Luke for posting these lessons,I find your method suits me well.
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Glad you like them! You're very welcome!
These riffs are amazing easy, great video man!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Woo hoo! Right on, Matheus. Glad you like them! 🙏🏼
@ChromaticHarp
Жыл бұрын
Riff number 4 is the beginning of ‘Love me Do’
Gotta tell you that this course of yours is the cat's meow Luke. As a very senior who has messed with the harmonica off and on I have found your love of the harmonica scintillating. You have opened the door for me and I will do my utmost to make it work for me. Single notes are not a problem, just can't bend them yet.
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Woohoo!! CONGRATS Frederic! Thanks for sharing this. ROCK ON! No rush on the bends. Those can come later. 🤙🏼
Really really good for me. Thank you .
Will try it ⭐⭐⭐
Thanks you 🙏🎉
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Welcome 😊
I love your teaching! I think your an outstanding harmonica player!!! Love your videos!!! Thank you!!!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you MARK! 🙏🏼
Love these licks, thanks Luke, looking forward to the next set of licks
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Glad you like them, Rob! Next video we're gonna look at turning riffs into solos. 😎
Thank you Luke. I enjoy your teaching technique. Your humour and professionalism. You have a great speaking voice. This also comes at a good time in my life when I needed something fun to do. I am going to keep practicing till i get it thanks to you !
Thanks , wonderful !!!🤗👌👍
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Welcome, Fraim. Glad you liked it! 😊
Cheers
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Cheers @Bigears!
Love noob Luke!!!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
LOL. thanks Bob!
Once again, a FABULOUS lesson my friend. 😜 Robert London, Canada
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Hey Robert - good to see ya. Thanks man. 👊🏼
Thanks for the awesome content!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
You are most welcome. Glad you enjoy it! 🤘🏼
Great lesson. Thanks Luke.
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
You're welcome, Oliver. Glad you liked!
Great video!!!! My favorite riff was number 3. You got a very funny student Lol😅😂
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
LOL. Noob Luke is a bit grumpy, but he's got a good heart. 😉
Luke, the coolest cat out there!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Aw, thanks! 🙏🏼
Great stuff, learned so much from your vids 👊
@Harmonicacom
11 ай бұрын
Awesome, thank you! Rock on! 😎
Damn, I've been having trouble finding some easy beginner blues stuff that doesn't go from 0 to 100 in .3 seconds, and this is where it's at. You've got a way of teaching that makes it easy to understand and remember. I'm subscribing to your classes because this is how I've been trying to learn.
@Harmonicacom
5 ай бұрын
Right on my friend. Keep it up!! 😎
Noob luke add so much comic relief. I love it! LOL
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
LOL. Noob luke's a lil grumpy, but he's got a good heart. ;-)
Great easy riffs and really hilarious! New blue - Ha
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Glad you like them, Keith! That's actually "Noob Luke" cos he's a newbie harmonica player (he's a bit grumpy, but aren't we all from time to time?😉)
I'll try, seems easy, thanks!!
@Harmonicacom
11 ай бұрын
You got this! 👊🏼
Awesome…thank you my friend..take care peace
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Right on Bill. You are very welcome. ✌🏼
Thank you very much!!!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
You're welcome. It's my pleasure. Rock on! 😎
Thank you Luke, funny and can't wait to practice!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Right on Patricia! YES! MEMORIZE THESE RIFFS. More to come on working with them....Rock on!
@patriciawhite1936
Жыл бұрын
I sure will, haven't mastered the bend yet,still trying to get a clean single note, this will give me practice, thanks
Your videos and your website is amazing your the best luke. Would like to play harmonica with you one day!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to the day! 😎🎶
Please do a tutorial for follow you down by the gin blossoms!!! I want to learn it so badly but there are no tutorials on KZread!!🙏🙏
This is fun !
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Right on!
Amazing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Your Videos are soooo cool and brilliant ! Greetings from Germany 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@Harmonicacom
10 ай бұрын
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Glad you like them! Aloha from Hawaii!
Love to see vids like this but what I really want to see is a video on some of your own licks. Or at least more advanced stuff. Either way, thanks for the awesome content.
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Right on, glad you're digging the vids. Did you see Blues for Beginners? There's some more challenging stuff In there: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fIKHyLubnKqXn7w.html
@BKBees
Жыл бұрын
@@Harmonicacom I'll check it out for sure. Thanks brother.
So awesome! I love noob Luke xD
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
🤣
Tienes el don de los maestros, explicas muy bien la lección y estimulas al principiante. Genio!
@Harmonicacom
Ай бұрын
Ah muchas gracias mi amigo. Rock on! 😎
Thank you so much. Great lesson, perfect to combine these riffs. No I can act like a pro (for non-musicians).
@Harmonicacom
7 ай бұрын
You got this! 👊🏼 Rock on! 😎
わかりやすいです。
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
役に立ってよかった
Top!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Glad you like Vandre!
I just now subscribed because you are "THE" perfect teacher for me. What I need to learn most at the moment is how to accompany our classic Christian music band on harmonica. (I currently play only the guitar.) I can easily play harmonica melodies by ear but I'm not experienced as what to do at the end of a song's sentence to fill that gap before the next on begins .... or at the end of a song. Maybe you have already covered this in one of your videos?
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Hey Joyce - right on! I play harmonica at my church. Definitely recommend subscribing to my newsletter here: www.harmonica.com I'm gonna be doing a piece on endings in the coming weeks. If you're wondering about a good ending for a specific song, please just post a question about it on the forum: forum.harmonica.com We are always happy to help! Aloha, Luke
Wow dude! I can play it! How do I fit some bending in these riffs? Thanks again! You are my favorite online harmonica teacher! 😎👍🏻
@b-rj1171
Жыл бұрын
In the first riff I play, instead of the first -4 twice, the first -4 as a bend. It sounds awesome!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Yep. All the -4's and -3's can be bent into and will sound great!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Rock on! So glad you're liking the vids. Thanks!
Shocked I went today one day not knowing how to play to freestyles some cool blues. 😎
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
WOW! CONGRATS!!! 😎
@paddyopatrick2941
Жыл бұрын
@Harmonica com Hey thanks honestly ivd never been musically inclined my whole life. I can play a snare drum but that takes no real notice of notes etc. Was a very fun experience to just pick up something you thought was useless and make music.
@paddyopatrick2941
Жыл бұрын
@@Harmonicacom Sláinte
Cool 👍
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Glad you dig it Oliver. 🙏🏼
Very cool easy stuff to learn just a little practice I can do this my friend Brian AKA sick man got me harmonica the key of c the harmonica is one of the coolest instruments ever created things thanks to Mr honer I subscribe to your channel you're very excellent teacher thank you so much looking forward to learning more stuff as I go progress I always love the blues and jazz music growing up the First Time I Ever Saw The Blues Brothers with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd been hooked ever since on the harmonica when they take it out of that big suitcase with the handcuffed to the hand fun movie awesome movie thank you so much Philip
@Harmonicacom
Ай бұрын
Awesome Phillip - thanks for the note! Rock on! 😎
Ty Sir. Always the easiest on the web..
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Aw, right on Philippine. Thanks for your kind words. You are most welcome! 😎
Great
@Harmonicacom
5 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching! 😎🙌🏼🎶
Noob Luke is hilarious "Why do you have to turn around when you play it" haha
@Harmonicacom
2 ай бұрын
🤣
Awsome
@Harmonicacom
Ай бұрын
Thanks Jose! 👊🏼
Love em, real bluesy Now can you make a video on how to play the 2 lower notes without my harmonica sounding like it's dying?😂
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Don't you worry, this is normal problem that most beginners experience! 👌🏼 These are the tips for a getting good -2: 1.) Let gravity lower your jaw so that it's totally relaxed and in a nice "aw" vowel shape, your teeth should be far apart from each other 2.) Keep the back of your tongue down, like it is when you yawn. Make sure it's not in the "Kk" zone (how your tongue is when you say a "Kk" consonant.) 3.) Nice steady, GENTLE, airflow. Most beginners (and many intermediate and advanced players) use WAY to much pressure. Hope that helps! 😎 Aloha, Luke
I still suck at doing single notes. I started 2 weeks ago on a frikkin Hohner Bluesband I bought for $6.99 forever ago. The comb protrudes quite a bit from the metal reed plates. Then I bought a East Too 008K....the comb is flush with the reed plates so now I'm struggling with single notes and I'm getting honked off. Gotta practice more I guess.
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Hey be patient with it. We all sucked at it at the beginning. The 008k is a much better harp than the Bluesband - best budget harp in my opinion - good choice! Have you checked out this vid? kzread.info/dash/bejne/qGihpq-DqtbUn7g.html
@wahfamilyproductions5297
Жыл бұрын
Buddy go get a special 20 it will change your playing like right now. Its easy to bend notes.. the lee Oskar is the best for single notes though. Thats what luke plays
The Walter Horton riff starts with "Love Me Do." :-)
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
:-) Yeah, that's probably where the Beatles got it from, at least subconsciously!
Changing my Blues handle to noobLuke!
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
🤣
Question: What is the difference between -2 and 3 note? And if there isn’t, why can’t we just play the “turn around” like this: 3 3 2 3 2 3 -1 -1
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Yes, you are correct, Tomaz, it's the same note! So you can always substitute 3 for -2. The -2 Has advantages later of being able to add rich vibrato, and to bend into it and out of it so it provides more opportunities for expressiveness. Beginners tend to struggle with -2, so good to practice it both ways so you get experience working on it - These are the tips for a getting good -2: 1.) Let gravity lower your jaw so that it's totally relaxed and in a nice "aw" vowel shape, your teeth should be far apart from each other 2.) Keep the back of your tongue down, like it is when you yawn. Make sure it's not in the "Kk" zone (how your tongue is when you say a "Kk" consonant.) 3.) Nice steady, GENTLE, airflow. Most beginners (and many intermediate and advanced players) use WAY to much pressure. Hope that helps!
Heres a question, Is it a normal thing to experience hic-cups a lot after or even while playing the harmonica ?
@Harmonicacom
5 ай бұрын
Never happened to me, but I could see how it might since hiccups are involuntary diaphragm spasm.
Bro, can please teach how to play single notes well..... please I love blues ....love resolve on it everyday.....done with guitar, key , Ukulele....now it's time for harmonica .. I play hipes of music....but I love blues all the time
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Righteous! Yessah. Here ya go: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qGihpq-DqtbUn7g.html Rock on. 🤘🏼
Are riff single notes of blues scale position? or riff are only single notes without blues scale?brother 🙏
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
"Riff" just means a short little musical phrase, but in this video I'm doing everything in 2nd position (using a C harmonica to play in the key of G - which is the same position you used to play the blues scale.)
@lwinlwin8995
Жыл бұрын
@@Harmonicacom I used to play 2 position blues riff solo melody with c key harmonica. I was played shuffle riff solo melody using rhythm chord and single notes of 2 position blues scale with c key diatonic harmonica.brother🙏
What is the title of the book on the right of the view at 9:40? The spine is too blurry to make out.
@Harmonicacom
4 ай бұрын
LOL. IDK! I didn't take that photo. 🤣
👌😎👍👍👍
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
👊🏼
Noobie question: Why not use 3 blow rather than 2 draw? At least sometimes?
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Yes, Ooygin. You always can do that. 👍🏼 Later on when bending comes into play, we can get a lot more expressiveness on the -2 so it becomes the go-to most of the time. But I always say it's best to play it both ways! The -2 is challenging for beginners to play in tune, so it's good for you - like eating your spinach. 😉
@ooyginyardel4835
Жыл бұрын
@@Harmonicacom: Gocha! Thanks.
@ooyginjardl4037
Жыл бұрын
@@Harmonicacom: Thanks man, I'm in a long running plateau. I call it punctuated equilibrium. Soon enough I'll get through it.
Yo quiero aprender a tocar ..cual harmonica me recomienda
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/
☺️ p͎r͎o͎m͎o͎s͎m͎
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
Hey David, not sure what that means, lol...
I have tried playing but it hurts my lips
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
What kind of harmonica do you have? Some are more comfy than others. Lee Oskars and Hohner Special 20's are super comfy. Also do you have it nice and deep in your lips like this? kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZZWTw7qiYdSen7w.html
So what key is this one
@Harmonicacom
8 ай бұрын
C Harmonica. Always. 👊🏼
@TheGnarlyGnome89
8 ай бұрын
@@Harmonicacomthanks , mine is G
I can't even draw the 2 that frustrates me
@Harmonicacom
Жыл бұрын
HEY NATE! - yes this is perfectly normal problem that beginners experience. These are the tips for a getting good -2: 1.) Let gravity lower your jaw so that it's totally relaxed and in a nice "aw" vowel shape, your teeth should be far apart from each other 2.) Keep the back of your tongue down, like it is when you yawn. Make sure it's not in the "Kk" zone (how your tongue is when you say a "Kk" consonant.) 3.) Nice steady, GENTLE, airflow. Most beginners (and many intermediate and advanced players) use WAY to much pressure. Hope that helps! 😎 Aloha, Luke
@MotoVenture.
Жыл бұрын
@@Harmonicacom thank you mate I'll try this out! Thank you for your time!