Learning a jazz blues melody
With
PT GazellPT Gazell teaches the head of 'The Thumb', a Wes Montgomery 12-bar jazz blues he adapted for harmonica, walking through its chord structure with tab.
What's in the course
8 lessons (1h 11m) · 1 free
01. Checking the basics
20:08
02. The Gazell method & half valving
Free lesson11:51
03. The 3 advantages that half valving provides
10:58
04. The importance of accurate bending on holes 2 & 3 draw
11:58
05. 2 & 3 Hole Draw Bend Exercises
2:22
06. Learning a jazz blues melody
You are here3:53
07. Soloing over a jazz blues chord progression
3:28
08. Adding a cool horn line to this progression
6:48
Lesson transcript
Lesson 5: Playing a Jazz Blues Melody
Hi, everybody. Welcome back!
In this lesson, we're going to put you on the spot as you learn to play a jazz blues melody. The name of the song is "The Thumb," a West Montgomery tune that I adapted to the harmonica and recorded on my 2005 release, Swinging Easy, Hitting Hard.
Overview
- Song Structure:
- It's a 12-measure blues, but I call it a jazz blues.
- The chord chart provided includes:
- Root notes: G, C, and D
- Many passing chords that transition between these major chords.
What Makes It Unique?
-
Melody:
- Not everything is played on the beat.
- Features interesting pauses that set it apart from typical blues tunes.
-
Structure Breakdown:
- 4 measures of the I chord (G)
- 2 measures of the IV chord (C)
- 2 measures of the I chord (G)
- 2 measures of the V chord (D)
- 2 measures of the I chord (G) again.
This familiar structure allows for added passing chords, giving it a jazz blues flavor.
The Head
When you look at the tab of the head, you'll notice that it's broken into segments with blank spaces in between. These pauses are implied spaces for you to take a breath before starting the next phrase.
Practice
When you hear me play it, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Let's go ahead and play the head on "The Thumb."
- Intro:
- This is what we call a vamp on the front.
- The guitar player will play one more of those, and then we're in.
Here we go!
It repeats.
Great! Practice that at your own pace. Make sure to listen to me play it to grasp the phrasing. Follow the tab and pay special attention to hitting those half bends on holes two and three accurately.
Upcoming Lesson
In the next lesson, you'll get to play a snippet of a solo over 12 measures, and we'll tie all of that together too.
See you in the next lesson, D!
8 lessons
1h 11m of structured video lessons
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
PT Gazell has earned his position as a master of the diatonic harmonica. After years as the sought-after side man and session player for some of Nashville's greatest, PT discovered half-valving and his music literally soared to new heights.
No other player combines his phrasing, melodic style, song choices and improvisational abilities the way he does - in the end, it is a style all his own. Using his own signature instrument, the Gazell Method diatonic manufactured by Seydel, PT proves that the harmonica is capable of far more than most of us believe.
Dig it!
In his courses, PT teaches half-valving straight from the source - so you can get started with the Gazell Method, master valved bends, and bring them into your own songs.
