Blues Solo Lesson with Matt

Hello, my name's Matt. In this lesson, we're going to look at learning a simple blues solo. This solo follows the structure of a 12-bar blues.

Key Information

• Instrument: Diatonic harmonica
• Key: C (playing in the key of G)

Overview

For this blues solo, you don't need to be deadly accurate; it's quite simple. The main line sounds like this:

Breakdown of the Solo

1. First Part:

   • Breathe in holes 4 and 5 simultaneously
   • Blow holes 4 and 5 at the same time
   • Sequence: Breathe in, then breathe out on holes 4 and 5.

2. Second Part:

   • Breathe in holes 3 and 4 simultaneously
   • Breathe in holes 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously (best done in one breath by moving your head to the left).

Putting It Together

The entire sequence sounds like this:

• 4 and 5 in
• 4 and 5 out
• 3 and 4 in
• 1, 2, and 3 in

Initially, we perform this four times in a row. After a count of three, it sounds like this:

Count: 1, 2, 3.

(Play the riff four times)

The Chord Changes

After playing the first four bars of the 12-bar blues, we change up to fit with the guitar.

Next Section

• Breathe in holes 3 and 4 for a relatively long time.
• Blow holes 4 and 5 for a short time (repeat this process twice).
• Allow two beats to pass in between each repetition.

After doing that twice, we play the first riff again two times, taking us to the end of bar number 8 of the 12-bar structure.

Summary of Bars 1 to 8

• First Riff: "da da da da" (four times)
• Next Section: "da da, 3, 4, draw, 4, 5, blow" (twice)
• Repeat First Riff: "da da da da" (twice)

Count for Practice

Count of Three: 1, 2, 3
1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2, 1, two, three.
1, 2.

This takes us to the end of bar number eight.

Special Timing Note

When we reach bar number five, we need to count three beats to maintain timing with the guitar:

• "da da, 1, 2, da da 1, 2"
• "da da da da, 1, 2, da da da da, 1, 2"

Final Riff

After counting those three beats:

• Breathe in holes 4 and 5 (saying "duh duh").
• Blow holes 4 and 5.
• Immediately play the first riff again (twice).

Conclusion of the Solo

This leads us to the end of bar number 12, wrapping up the 12-bar blues.

Full Playthrough

I'll play the entire sequence nice and steady. Feel free to join in: Count: 1, 2, 3.
1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2, 1, two, three.
1, 2.

Ready to Play

Okay, folks, let's try this blues solo number one along with the guitar! There will be a count of three, and then we're straight in with that first riff.

Count: 1, 2, 3.
1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2.
1, 2, 1, 2, 3.
1, 2.

Final Round

Ladies and gentlemen, let's go for blues solo number one! After a count of three: Count: 1, 2, 3.
2, 3.
2, 3, 2, 3.
2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3.

And there you go!