How to Play Bluegrass Harmonica
Harmonica is not a traditional bluegrass instrument, but that doesn't mean you can't play it in a bluegrass band. The key is to understand the music you are playing. Adapt your style. Those slow, bluesy licks all harmonica players love so dearly will probably have to go. Learn some fiddle tunes to get you started. Practice playing fast and clean. Know when to solo and when to fade into the background.
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Instructions
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1
Learn how to chug. The easiest way to keep time in bluegrass harmonica is by chugging. That means that you'll need to know how to play short percussive chords to keep time. This is also called the shuffle or the train.
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2
Learn some fiddle tunes. Much of bluegrass music is based around fiddle tunes. Learning them will help prepare you to play in the fast, melodic style bluegrass demands. Follow the link below for bluegrass fiddle tabs for harmonica.
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Learn bluegrass format. A typical bluegrass song has a verse where everyone plays quietly, followed by a chorus where things get louder. There is usually then a solo section where everyone has a turn to solo while the rest of the group plays quietly.
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Learn what to do at each stage of the bluegrass song. Play a simple "chugging" pattern in the background until it is your turn to solo. When it is, you want to play a melodic solo for however long your turn lasts (usually 8 bars) and go back to quiet chugging.
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Start throwing in some variations. Once you get good, you can throw in short solos with your chugging. Change the pattern around a bit to keep things interesting.
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Listen to as much traditional bluegrass as you can. You will learn more about bluegrass harp from listening to fiddle and mandolin players.
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Tips & Warnings
Stay in time. Wails don't work with most bluegrass songs. You want short, linear solos that stick tightly to the rhythm.
Don't play all the time. There is no quicker way to earn that hatred of everyone at a bluegrass jam than to play over everyone else. Bluegrass is a very structured form of music. Respect the structure.
