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!