For INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE players, a video tutorial on the granddaddy of all blues songs: St. Louis Blues, W.C. Handys hit song of 1914. This is arguably the most famous blues song in the world! Adapted for the harmonica by Adam Gussow of Satan and Adam.

St. Louis Blues has a distinctive and instantly recognizable melody. Its melodic interest is matched by an unusual 16-bar bridge with a Latin flavor. This video takes you through THREE different 12-bar verses and the 16-bar bridge; youll end up with a solo performance piece that will dazzle friends, family, whomever.

Technical challenges include 2, 3, and 4 draw bends in various combinations, some of them tricky; a 6 overblow in the second verse (which can be avoided simply by repeating the first verse); some tongue-blocking; and that quirky 16-bar bridge.

Harp key: A

Note: a 4-page PDF tab for this lesson is also available

Running time: 44:12 (long!)

Another Modern Blues Harmonica production (https://www.tradebit.com)