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Lesson time: (3min 28sec)
PT Gazell builds a melodic solo over a jazz blues, thinking in phrases rather than riffs and working in some syncopation.
This lesson is part of the course Introduction to the Gazell Method on Harmonica
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Hi everybody! Welcome back.
In this lesson, we're going to continue with the West Montgomery tune, "The Thumb," which we learned the head for in the previous lesson.
One of the things I want you to think about is starting on a different note than usual. Typically, in a solo, you might start with the blues scale.
Here's the plan:
So why don't we try this and see how much fun it can be?
These are notes you might not typically consider when playing traditional 12-bar blues.
I'm trying to encourage you to explore some different possibilities that phrase nicely over the passing chords the guitar player is using on this track.
We'll be back in the last lesson to add one more cool element to this song. Enjoy!
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. read more
