KEYS TO THE BLUES BLUES CHART AND CHEAT SHEET FOR HARP N GUITAR. By George Goodman

Transcription

1 KEYS TO THE BLUES BLUES CHART AND CHEAT SHEET FOR HARP N GUITAR By George Goodman Copyright 2016 George Goodman HarpNGuitar.com Edition, License Notes Text and images copyright 2016 George Goodman All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and retrieval system. Visit us on the web at: contact@georgegoodman.com Table of Contents Introduction Blues Harp Cheat Sheet Blues Chart Wrap Up

2 Introduction Keys To The Blues was developed to take the guess work out of playing The Blues and consists of two main sections. 1. Blues Harp Cheat Sheet 2. Blues Chart for the 12 Bar Blues Progression Learning and understanding these two references will quickly put you on the path to Blues mastery. The Blues Harp Cheat Sheet provides the cross harp harmonica key to use so you always have the right instrument for the job. It also displays where the choice notes are on the harmonica so you re playing with confidence and sounding like a pro. For the guitarist, the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet lays out the chords for every key. The Blues Chart for the 12 Bar Blues Progression provides the most common chord sequence for the Blues and displays music and guitar tabs so you re comping a great sound. It also reveals the secret to the Blues feel which if you don t know, it ll show. Harmonica Tabs Basic harmonica tabs are provided to indicate which holes to blow or draw and bends or overblows if any. Each hole of the harmonica is numbered 1 through 10 which you will see on the top plate just above the corresponding hole. So in the harmonica tabs, numbers refer to the hole on the harmonica. Tab Key 4 = Blow on 4-4 = Draw on hole 4 b = Semi-tone bend bb = Whole tone bend o = Overblow

3 Blues Harp Cheat Sheet Blues Key The first column in the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet is the Blues Key column. There are 12 different keys in music and this column displays the 12 possible different keys that the Blues can be played in. The most common Blues keys would be A and E which is due more to the tuning of the guitar than anything else. Playing Blues in A or E allows the guitarist to use open strings while comping or playing rhythm. This is displayed in the Blues Progression section below. As you go down the Blues key column, the key goes up by a 5 th or 5 notes. C is the first key shown in the Cheat Sheet, then going up a 5 th we arrive at G. The next key is D, then A, E and so on.

4 I7, IV7, V7 A standard Blues progression uses 3 chords that usually take the form of dominant 7th chords. These 3 chords are noted in roman numerals and are built on the root or first note of the key, I7, the fourth note of the key, IV7, and the fifth note of the key, V7 or shortened to I, IV, V. Under columns I7, IV7, and V7 are the chords that are used for a typical Blues. For example, if the Blues key were G, the three chords used would be G7, C7, and D7. Cross Harp Cross Harp is the key harmonica to use in relation to the Blues Key. Looking again at the Blues Key of G, a C harmonica would be used for cross harp. Blues in A would require a D harmonica and Blues in E would require an A harmonica for playing in cross harp which is also known as second position. The Cross Harp is determined by going up a fourth or four notes from the Blues key. For example, if the Blues key is C, then count up four notes from C with C being 1, D is 2, E is 3 and F is 4. Use an F harmonica for Blues in C. Let s try another example, Blues in E. Go up four notes from E starting with E E F G A. Use an A harmonica for Blues in E. Chord Tabs The Chord Tab row of the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet shows the harmonica tabs for each of the three chords in a typical Blues progression. The Blues chords are made up of four different notes. The harmonica tabs for each chord is divided into 4 columns with each column representing a note in the chord.

5 Melodies and riffs incorporate the notes of the chord. These are the notes that fit; that sound right when played during the chord. So if you know the notes that make up a chord and where they are on your harmonica, you can t go wrong. The first column signifies the root note of the chord, the second column signifies the 2 nd note of the chord, the third column signifies the third note of the chord and the fourth column represents the fourth note of the chord. Without delving into theory too much, these chords are four note chords consisting of a root, major third, fifth and minor seventh. I7 Harmonica Tabs Let s look at each of the chords separately using our C harmonica starting with the I7 chord. If we look at our Blues Harp Cheat Sheet and locate the C harmonica in the Cross Harp column, then look across to the I7 column, we see that the I7 chord will be G7. Again, the C harmonica is used for Blues in G. The first note we see for the I7 chord, -1, is in the third column and so represents the third note of the chord. The next note, -2bb is in the fourth column and represents the fourth note of the chord. The second row of the I7 harmonica tabs show and -5 which is the full four note dominant 7 th chord. The third row also shows the entire 4 note dominant 7 th chord which will sound a full octave higher than the second row: The fourth row shows a single entry in the root column, blow 9. When the I7 chord is playing during the Blues progression, if you play any of the notes in the I7 harmonica tabs, you will be playing a note that fits the chord and will sound great.

6 IV7 Harmonica Tabs Go back to the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet and look at the row for Cross Harp C. Under the IV7 column is the C7 chord. The full IV7 chord can be sounded in the lower range of the harmonica shown in the first row. The first note in the chord is the root and is blow 1. That s followed by blow 2, blow 3 and draw 3 with a semi-tone bend. The second row displays the entire IV7 chord as well starting with blow 4, blow 5, blow 6, and then to get the fourth note of the chord you need to overblow hole 6. The third row starts at blow 7 for the root, then blow 8 and blow 9. There is not a way to get the fourth note of the IV chord in the upper range of the harmonica and so that space is marked x. Finally you can sound the root again on blow 10. V7 Harmonica Tabs Back to the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet, Cross Key of C row and we see that the V7 chord is D bb -3bb The C harmonica can t play D7 above the first octave because that would require the note F# (Our C harmonica has an F natural, not F#). In this case, the harmonica can play the notes to a Dm7 chord which are here on the C harmonica: The V7 chord is possible in the first octave of the harmonica by using bending. Here are the tabs for the D7 chord in the bottom octave: -1-2b -3bb 4 a single bend on draw 2 produces F#. In the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet, notice that the first line of tabs for the V7 chord shows -2b(b). A single bend on draw 2 is part of the V7 chord.

7 A double bend on draw 2 would result in a minor seventh chord similar to the upper octaves. Blues Scale Tabs The Blues Scale is a six note scale that is characterized by flatting certain pitches to create the signature Blues sound. The Blues Scale can be played throughout a Blues progression irrespective of the chord being played whether on the I, IV, or V. For example, if the Blues key is G, playing a C harmonica in second position, the G Blues scale can be played throughout the Blues progression. The tabs are broken into octaves over the rows with each row sounding an octave higher than the row above it. The columns represent a particular note in the scale. Looking at the first column we see the harmonica tabs -2, 6, and 9. These are the first or root notes of the Blues scale. Each note is the same, but in a different octave. 6 is an octave above -2; 9 is an octave above 6. As you can see, there is a lot of bending required to achieve the Blues scale and get that real dirty, bluesy sound.

8 Blues Chart Blues Progression 12 Bar Blues in E A typical 12 Bar Blues progression is shown above. This particular case displays the Blues in the key of E. This is one of the most common keys

9 for the Blues because it allows the guitarist to play in an open string format. Guitar Tabs If you are new to guitar tabs, let me break it down for you. Guitar tabs consist of six lines; each line representing a string on the guitar. The top line in the tab represents the first string or high E string. The next one down in the tab is the second string, B. The third line down is the third string, G. The fourth line from the top is the fourth string, D. The fifth line from the top is the fifth string, A and finally the bottom line represents the sixth string, low E. The numbers on the tabs represent the fret in which to put your finger. Looking at the first bar or measure of the tab above, the sixth string is played open. This is signified by the number 0. 0 mean play the string open you don t place a finger on any fret on the sixth string. The tabs in the first bar also shows that you need to place a finger on the second fret for two notes, then on the fourth fret for two notes, then on the fifth fret for two notes and then back to the fourth fret for two notes. Place your left hand so that your first or index finger is in the second fret and use this finger for playing the fifth string, second fret. Space your left hand fingers so that each of the fingers are in their own fret. Your second or middle finger will be in the third fret. In our tabs there is no 3 or fretting in the third fret, so this finger won t be used for this pattern.

10 Place your third or ring finger in the fourth fret and use this finger on the fifth string. Finally place your fourth or pinkie finger in the fifth fret and use this for playing in the fifth fret on the fifth string. This is an easy but great sounding comping pattern that only requires playing two strings and for most of the pattern, one of the strings is played open. During the chord E7, the sixth string is open while the notes change on the fifth string. The exact same thing happens during A7 but with the fifth string open and the notes changing on the fourth string. The B7 is more challenging and requires placing your first finger on the fifth string in the second fret, your third on the fourth string in the fourth fret and your fourth finger on the fourth string in the sixth fret. This stretch will take some practice. Chord Progression This progression is known as the 12 Bar Blues. This is because it consists of 12 bars or measures of music that repeat over and over throughout the song. Some variations to this progression are common but this represents the most common form of the 12 Bar Blues. This example shows the 12 Bar Blues in the key of E. In the first four bars, the I7 chord is played. If we look at the Blues Harp Cheat Sheet in the I7 column for Blues key E, we see the chord E7. Looking at our Blues Progression we see E7 in the first four bars. In bars 5 and 6, the IV7 chord is played. Again back to our Blues Harp Cheat Sheet, we see the IV7 chord for the Blues key of E is A7. Our chart shows A7 in bars 5 and 6. For bars 7 and 8 we are back to the I7 chord, E7 in our example. In bar 9, we play the V7 chord. The V7 chord in the key of E is B7.

11 Bar 10 is the IV7 chord, A7. Bar 11 is back to the I7 chord, E7. Finally in Bar 12 we play the V7 chord. Bars 1 4: I7 Bars 5 and 6: IV7 Bars 7 and 8: I7 Bar 9: V7 Bar 10: IV7 Bar 11: I7 Bar 12: V7 (I7 if last time around) The Blues Rhythm Notice at the top of the music is the word Shuffle which indicates the style to play. This is one of the most important elements to create the Blues feel. Shuffle is similar to Swing. Each bar of music in our 12 Bar Blues is made up of four beats. Each beat can be divided into two notes, called eighth notes. The shuffle is produced by giving the eighth note that lands on the beat, 2/3 of the beat instead of half the beat. The eighth note that lands on the offbeat only receives 1/3 of the beat. Because the offbeat eighth note is reduced in duration, it is usually accented to give it an extra push. This is what drives the Blues rhythm. Getting a feel for where the offbeat eighth note lands is a huge part of getting the Blues sound. Very rarely is a Blues straight where the eighth notes are of equal duration.

12 Wrap Up If you are new to the guitar and harmonica and music in general, then I have thrown a lot at you. Watch the video and read through this repeatedly and it will all become clearer. Key #1 The Blues can be played in all 12 different keys and is made up of three chords, the I, IV and V. Key #2 To play Cross harp, go up four notes from the Blues key. The Blues key counts as 1. Eg. For Blues in G: G, A, B, C. C is four notes up from G and would be the key harmonica to use for Blues in G. Key #3 Melodies and riffs incorporate the notes of the chord. These are the notes that fit; that sound right when played during the chord. So if you know the notes that make up a chord and where they are on your harmonica, you can t go wrong. Key #4 The Blues scale provides notes that sound great over the entire Blues progression. Learn these and you ll be sounding like a pro. Key #5 The Blues is typically a 12 Bar progression with the same chords occurring in the same bar throughout the song. All you have to do is learn what chord is in each of the twelve bars and you ve learned a thousand Blues songs. Key #6 Learn to shuffle. This is the key to getting the Blues feel. and finally

13 Key #7 Get more musical training. Thank you for investing in the Blues Chart and Cheat Sheet for Harp N Guitar. You now have the Keys to the Blues; to begin playing smoking Blues in any key on harmonica and guitar. However, because you purchased this Keys to the Blues special report, I wanted to tell you about Harp N Guitar. Introducing the one and only harmonica and guitar training on the web Harp N Guitar Blow Them Away. Charter membership at HarpNGuitar.com brings you hours of high def video training on harmonica and guitar. Enter the awesome world of Harmonica. Learn how to bend and overblow on the Blues harp. Make sense out of playing in positions on harmonica. Learn all the notes to all the chords on the full range of the harmonica and truly become a professional harmonica player. Get a great sound by learning great technique. Master the Rhythm guitar to provide a brilliant foundation for harmonica solos. Comp smoking Blues. Learn to play effortless rhythms. Add in finger-picking styles that make your sound amazing. Learn great songs on harmonica and guitar that will blow people away. In addition to charter membership to Harp N Guitar and access to hours of in depth musical training on harmonica and guitar, you will also receive the Harmonica Chord Cheat Sheet. This handy reference lays out all the notes to all the chords in every key of harmonica so you never need to guess which notes to play.

14 You will also receive George Goodman s Guitar and Harmonica Method. This 83 page jam-packed ebook is the foundation for the entire Harp N Guitar web site. Download it, take it offline and dive in to the amazing and fulfilling world of guitar and harmonica. So what does all this great training cost? Hundreds of dollars? No way. I want you to be able to learn Harp N Guitar for pennies a day. Sign up now to become a charter member for an unbelievable low price of only $5 / month. For the price of a cup of your favourite coffee, you can enjoy hours of top notch musical training and become the musician you want to be. This charter membership price will only be available for a short time, however so you need to act fast because the price will be going up. I want to help you become the musician you want to be and I value relationships more than I need your $5 so if for any reason in the first 30 days you feel that you are not getting amazing value from your membership or that it s just not right for you, just let me know and I will refund every penny. And you can keep the Harmonica Chord Cheat Sheet and George Goodman s Guitar and Harmonica Method as my gift to you. I m confident that you will receive far in excess of what you would ever expect for $5 / month. This price will only be offered 1 time. You will not see this page again. Take advantage of Harp N Guitar today for $5 and secure your charter membership which will be locked in at that price. It will never increase even though people joining later will be charged a higher price. You will always only pay $5 / month. Click here to join now: Harp N Guitar