This is work-in-progress Im constantly updating, correcting and improving.

Note to people that arent me - PLEASE let me know if you have anything to add!
You can email me at: harpdoc.100.sammcj@spamgourmet.com

Practice Exercises

(skip forward for the riffs)

(Scroll down for the riffs etc...)

Practice vibrato on 2D and 4D (and blows) - (Try coughing lightly!)

-------------------------------------------------------Practice scaling from 4B to 10D as and even.
-------------------------------------------------------The Blues Scale:
2 3 4+ 4 4 5 6+

Practice jumps:
4B 4D 4B 5B 4B 5D 4B 6B 4B 6D 4B 7D 4B 7B
-2 6 -2 -5 -2 5 -2 -4 -2 4 -2 -3 -2

-------------------------------------------------------Hans Scale Practice

4B 4D 5B 5D 6B 6D 7D 7B 8D 7B 7D 6D 6B 5D 5B 4D 4B
4B 4D 5B 4D 4B 4D 5B 4D 4B 4D 5B 5D 6B 5D 5B 4D
-------------------------------------------------------Triplets
(4b) (4) (5)
(4) (4b) (3)
(3) (3b) (2)
(2) (2b) (1)
(3b) (3) (4)
(4b) (4) (4b) (3)
-------------------------------------------------------Good Practice for endings (But sounds annoying!)
8B 8D 7B 8B 8D 7B 7D 8D 7B
6D 6B 5D 5B 4D 4B 4D
5B 4D 4B 5B 4D 4B 3D 4D 4B
5B 6B 7D 7B 7D 7B 8D
-------------------------------------------------------Lee Sankey - Improve your tone - Thin vs Thick sounds - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUmwmEWQvps
Think about the kind of air you're using.
For example, the difference between blowing fog on a window and trying to blow a feather along a desk and dont use your
hands.
Thin note - focus on the lips ( think of it as being forward in the mouth system )

(2)
Thick note - focus on swallowing the note down into your system
(2)
Work on going from thin to thick on (2)
(2), (2), (2), (2)
Try it on different holes.
-------------------------------------------------------Lee Sankey - Harder exercises for high low transitions - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5qDjl6Xuv0
4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) (7) 7 (7) (6) 6 (5) 5 (4) 4
Then
4 (3) (3bb) (2) (2b) 2 (1) 1
<--- Ive found this scale very good for practicing bends.
Then join them, do this both ways
7 (7) (6) 6 (5) 5 (4) 4 (3) (3b) (2) (2b) 2 (1) 1
This is to be played slowly and carefully and over time it will start to sound nice.
(1) 2 (2) (3bb) (3) (4) 5 6 (6) (7) (8) 8 9 (10)

(4) (5) (6) 7 (8) (9) 9 (8) 7 (6) (5)

Then
(4) 5 6 (6) (7) (8) 8 9 (10)
--------------------------------------------------------

Practice blues scales

2D 3D' 4B 4D' 4D 5D 6B 5D 4D 4D' 4B 3D' 2D
2D 3D" 3D 3D" 2D 3D" 3D 3D" 2D 3D" 3D 4B 4D 4B 3D 3D"
I find this one quite hard:
2D 3D' 2D 3D' 4B 3D' 4B 4D' 4B 4D' 4D 4D' 4D 5D 4D 5D 6B 5D 6B 5D 4D 5D 4D 4D' 4D 4D' 4B 4D' 4B 3D' 4B 3D' 2D 3D' 2D

Practice 2nd position scales (I find this very hard)

6B 6D 7D 7B 8D 8B 9D 9B 10D 9B 9D 8B 8D 7B 7D 6D played twice, then
6B 6D 7D 6D 6B 6D 7D 6D 6B 6D 7D 7B 8D 7B 7D 6D, played twice, followed by the first phrase, played twice.
Other bending practise, Start slow - as you get cleaner start trying it faster (From the song June Apple)
4D 4B 3D 4B 3D 3D" 2D 2D 3D" 3D 3D" 3D 4B 4D 2D
2D" 2B 2D" 2D 3D" 2D 2D" 4B 3D 4B 4D 5B
4D 4B 3D x4B 3D 2D" 2D 2D 3D" 3D 3D" 3D 4B 4D 2D
2D" 2B 2D" 2D 3D" 2D 2D" 3D" 2D

Peter Gunn Bass Line - http://www.harptab.com/blues/gunn.shtml

This is the hardest bend practicing riff that there is. It uses the 3 hole bends.
Play it (if you can) until you can do it very fast.

More bending practice - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF2iATfES8c

-1 -1d 1
-2 -2d 2
-3 -3d 3
-4 -4d 4
-5 -5d 5
-6 -6d 6
Then do it in reverse, for example 1 -1d -1 etc etc

More bending practice

-2 -3b 4 -4b -4 5 6
Then try the following (go crazy-insert bends/extra notes/chords - wherever desired) http://www.harptabs.com/song.php?
ID=334
-2 -3 4 -4 -5 6 6 -5 -4 -3 -2
4 4 -3 -2 4 4 -3 -2 -3 4 -4 6
-5 -5 -4 -5 4 4 4 6
6 6 -5 -5 -4 -4 4 -3 -2 -1 -1
Speed / Breathing Pattern Practice

6 (6) (7) 7 (7) (6) 6 ::| Repeat endlessly!

Riffs / Licks
(NEW!) Walter's Boogie (great repeating riff)
5 4 5 5+ 4+ 5+ 4 3 4 5+ 4+ 5+

(NEW!) Trouble Riff

4 5 4 5 6+
(NEW!) Easy Blues Riff
2 3 2 3 4+ 3 2
(NEW!) Hoochie Coochie Man Harmonica Tab
1 2 1 2 2

My take on [Modern Blues Harmonica - copy&comp2 (Gussow.052)] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=jLUBcCi335g
This is not exactly as lord Gussow does it, but its sort of my take / what I always end up playing when I try and it sounds good!
G-Harp - Make a really forward 'tuk tuk' sound with the draw chords
(1234) (1234), 1234, (1234) (1234) . etc
(1234) (1234), 1234, (12) (12) then back to the bar above again.

(5)(5)(5)(5)5(4) , (4)(4)(4)(4)4(3)
(1234) (1234), (1234) (1234) . etc

Fun simple riff to fiddle around with - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adV4eG8Kqd4

(1234) (1234)
4
(3) (4) (3)
3
(1234) (1234)

Great, really fun riff taken from A. Gussow .24 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elf4CFHjH7o

You can fiddle around with this one a lot and have a lot of fun making variations up as you go.
Adam plays this on a C harp.
(2) (2b) (2), (3b) (2)
(2) (2b) (1), 2 (2)
(2) (2b) (2), (3b) (2)
(4-4b-4)~(4-4b-4), 4 (1+3+2)
The (4-4b-4)~(4-4b-4) - sounds like wee-o-wee-o-wee, you can also add in a bit of 5 to make it (45-45b-45)
More stuff to try with this riff:
(34) 34 (23), 23 (12) - Start each d
raw with a small bend

(4)(3)(4)(3)(4) 4 (3+2)
Adam does something like a - 4-5-4-5-4-5-4 (3) (2) (2B) (1) (2)
(2) (1) (1) , 2 (2)
(4) 4 (3b) 3 (2)
(New) Leo - Harmonica Lesson - Lick 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O8QFVs4cyY
-2 -3 -2 -3 4 -3 4 -4 4 -4 -5 -4 -5 6
Im a man riff
3 4 3 (3) (2)
Common Bent Riff
2D 2D" 1D 2D , 2D 3D' 4B 4D
Simple Blues Jams
3 4 (~3)
3 4 (~3)
4 4 (~3)
3 4 (~3)
3 (~3) 4
4 4 (~3)
{::}

3
3
4
3
(~4)
4

Sammy Riff One

3 4 (4b->4) 4 (3b->3) 3 2 (2)
3 4 (4b->4) 4 (3b->3) 3 (1) 2 (2b)->(2)v

Easy Blues Riff from PlayHarmonicaEasily on YouTube

(12) (12) 34 34 (34) (34) 34 34 (12) (12) 34 (12)

Lee Sankey Backing+Riff Building - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByZEWqdL93Q

Brilliant video and teacher - Really try to feel the bend, you can use 4b-3b or whatever - timing is key.
(123) (123) 123 123 (123) , (3B)
for example
(123) (123) 123 123 (123) , (3) (2) (3b) (2)

Ronnie Shellist Blues Riff - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5SODHdjZZA

(1-slide-3") (3) (2) 2 (1) 2 (2) 2 (2)
(1-slide-3") (3) (2) 2 (1) 2 (2) 2 (123)

Gussow - Best played slow on _A _ harp - (release lips and let air out the top of the harp through lips on the 234 blow) http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-OxIr1mk3I
(1) (2b) (1) (2) (123) 234 (3b) (2)
(1) (2b) (1) (2) (1) (2b) (2..)
Gussow - Mojo Riff
(2) (2) (2)-(2b) (1)-(2)
Boogie Riff (Something like this, you really have to feel the groove of this one)
(2) (2), (2) (2), (2) (2), (2) (2), (2) (3) 4 (3) (2)

Little Walter Lick - Play slurred to sound best- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSmGcg643IM

(2) (3) (4) 5 (5) (4) 5 (4)

Isaacullah riff of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9vM9RuKyoY

(4) (5) (4) 4 (3b) (2) (2) (1) (2b)-(2)
Catfish Blues Lick - (Played quite quick when you can) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRvHEeIu-wA
(5) (4) (4b) (3) (2) (2b) (2) (2) (2) (123)

Play each note twice like tah-tah except for the last 4D
2D 3D 4D 5B 6B 5B 4D 3D ::|
4B 5B 6B 6D 7B 6D 6B 5B
2D 3D 4D 5B 6B 5B 4D 3D
4D 5B 5D 5B 4D 5B 6B 5B
2D 3D 4D 5B 5D 5B 4D

12 Bar Blues Boogie

(2) (3) (4) 5 (5) 5 (4) (3)
(2) (3) (4) 5 (5) 5 (4) (3)
1 2 3 (3bb) (3b) (3bb) 3 2
(2) (3) (4) 5 (5) 5 (4) (3)
(1) (2b) (3bb) (3) 1 2 3 (3bb)

(2) (3) 4 (4b) (4) (4b) 4 (3)

Other Random Riffs:

Here Ive used dots and spacing to emphasise the notes length
to it
.
(2).. (2b)(1)(2b) (1)... , (2).. (2b)(1) (2)....

(2) (3) (4) 5 6 - 6

(I dont know how well this works without hearing it!)

- this sort of has a swing

(Saw waw-waw on the 6's and the second 6 is played for half the length of the first)

(4) (5) (6) (7) 4 5 6 (6)

(4) (4b) (3) 4 (3b) (2) (2)
(3b) (3) (4) 5 (4) (3b) (2)
(1) 2 (2) (3b) (3) (4)
(4) (4b) (3) (2)

Riffs / Licks (Harder)

Adam Gussow - boogie blues lick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj8qXFxf2vo - Hit the bent 4s hard!

(4b) (4) (5) (4b) - (3) - (2) (123) (2) , (3) (234) 345 (2)
What A Woman - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q418k3rAAc
4 (3+4b) 4 (3+4b) (2) 4 (3+4b) (2) (3+4b) (2)
Charlie McCoy Harmonica lick - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlRPPDSg80E
(9) (8) (8) 9 9 (8) (7) (6)
Juke Intro Riff - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YtMG8ehiaQ
Tab: 3B, 3Dbb-3D-4D, 5B, 6B, 6B (or 6-3B or 6-9B).
Alt.Tab: 2D, 3Db, 3D, 4D, 5B, 6B, 6B (or 6-3B or 6-9B).
Dan Gage - Box Shuffle (harder bends) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7815Z-VpQSI
I Chord: (2), (2), (4), (4), (5), (5), 6, 6
IV Chord: 1, 1, (2), (2), (3b), (3b), 4, 4
V Chord: (1), (1), (3bb), (3bb), 4, 4, (4), (4)

Other great advice / things to keep in mind.

Gussow - 10 Principles Of Blues Improv - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TjC7qXHHfE

1) Know 12 bar changes:

For example:
-The (1) played cross-harp is the root of what chord? (Answer is the VI chord)
-The 6 is the root of what chord on the 12 bar blues?
-What hole on the harp is the flat 7th? (Answer is (3b))
2) Need to know the blues scale - make every note sound good.
(2) (3b) 4 (4b) (4) (5) 6
3) Keep time, play in time.
4) Learn some repeated riffs, repetition with variation.
4a) Call and response - keep it in mind.
5) Don't start your solo too loud. Build it up - know your power moves.
6) Simplicity is ok.
7) Practice hard, pattern and repeat the things you want to work into your improv, then forget about them and just play.
8) Think song. Think how this song is going to be different from your next song.
9) Change textures. Linear melodies - repeated riffs - one long note - warble - staccato.
10) Move out of places of safety.
--------------------------------------------------------

Random stuff / in progress / not finished / needs weeding!

http://www.harptabs.com/song.php?ID=2527
This is a collection of assorted exercises that will help one get
comfortable with the whole range of notes on a diatonic harmonica.
C SCALES (up & down):
Low
+1 -1 +2 -2'' -2 -3'' -3 +4
+4 -3 -3'' -2 -2'' +2 -1 +1
Middle
+4 -4 +5 -5 +6 -6 -7 +7
+7 -7 -6 +6 -5 +5 -4 +4
High
+7 -8 +8 -9 +9 -10 +10' +10
+10 +10' -10 +9 -9 +8 -8 +7
SCALE/POSITION EXERCISES
Ex. A

+4 +5 -4 -5 +5 +6 -5 -6 +6 -7 -6 +7 -7 -8 +7
+7 -6 -7 +6 -6 -5 +6 +5 -5 -4 +5 +4 -4 -3 +4
Ex. B1
+4 +5 +6 +5 +4 +5 +6 +5 -4 -5 -6 -5 -4 -5 -6 -5
(repeat 2x and end w/ +4)
Ex. B2
+1 +2 +3 +2 +1 +2 +3 +2 -1 -2''
-3'' -2'' -1 -2'' -3'' -2''
(repeat 2x and end w/ +1)
Ex. B3
+7 +8 +9 +8 +7 +8 +9 +8 -8 -9 -10 -9 -8 -9 -10 -9
(repeat 2x and end w/ +7)
Ex. C1
+4 +5 +6 -7 +6 +5 +4 +5 +6 -7 +6 +5
-4 -5 -6 +7 -6 -5 -4 -5 -6 +7 -6 -5 +4
Ex. C2
+1 +2 +3 -3 +3 +2 +1 +2 +3 -3 +3 +2
-1 -2'' -3'' +4 -3'' -2'' -1 -2'' -3 +4 -3'' -2'' +1
Ex. C3
+7 +8 +9 +10' +9 +8 +7 +8 +9 +10' +9 +8
-8 -9 -10 +10 -10 -9 -8 -9 -10 +10 -10 -9 +7
Ex. D1
-1 -4 +4 -4 -1 -4 +4 -4

+3 +6 -5 +6 +3 +6 -5 +6
-1 -4 +4 -4 -1 -4 +4 -4 -1
Ex. D2
-4 -8 +7 -8 -4 -8 +7 -8
+6 +9 -9 +9 +6 +9 -9 +9
-4 -8 +7 -8 -4 -8 +7 -8 -4
Ex. E1
+4 -4 +5 +4 -4 +5 -4 +5 -5 -4 +5 -5 +5
-5 +6 +5 -5 +6 -5 +6 -6 -5 +6 -6 +6 -6
-7 +6 -6 -7 -6 -7 +7 +4
Ex. E2
+1 -1 +2 +1 -1 +2 -1 +2
-2'' -1 +2 -2'' +2 -2'' +3 +2 -2''
+3 -2'' +3 -3'' -2'' +3 -3'' +3 -3''
-3 +3 -3'' -3 -3'' -3 +4 +1
Ex. E3
+7 -8 +8 +7 -8 +8 -8 +8 -9 -8 +8 -9 +8
-9 +9 +8 -9 +9 -9 +9 -10 -9 +9 -10 +9 -10
+10' +9 +10 +10' +10 +10' +10 +7
Ex. F
-1 +1 +2 -1 -2'' +2 -2 -2'' -3'' -2 -3 -3'' +4 -3
-4 +4 +5 -4 -5 +5 +6 -5 -6 +6 -7 -6 +7 -7 -8 +7 +8
-8 -9 +8 +9 -9 -10 +9 +10' -10 +10 +10'
(play in reverse or play only a portion and then reverse; use this

pattern on any scale: 2nd note, 1st note, 3rd note, 2nd note, 4th
note, 3rd note, 5th note, 4th note, 6th note, 5th note, etc.)
RHYTHM EXERCISES(Note: *=1/8 note or note played at 2x speed; **=1/16
note or note played at 4x speed)
Ex. G
(-2-3) (+1+2) (-1-2) (+1+2)
(-2-3)* (-2-3)* (+1+2)* (+1+2)*
(-1-2)* (-1-2)* (+1+2)* (+1+2)*
(-3-4) (-3-4) (rest) (rest)
(-2-3)* (-2-3)* (+1+2)* (+1+2)*
(-1-2)* (-1-2)* (+1+2)* (+1+2)*
Ex. H
(+1+2) (+1+2) (-2-3) (-2-3)
(+1+2)* (+1+2)* (+1+2)* (+1+2)*
(-2-3)* (-2-3)* (-2-3)* (-2-3)*
(+1+2) (+1+2)
(-2-3)* (+1+2)* (-2-3)* (+1+2)*
(-2-3) (-2-3)
(+1+2)* (-2-3)* (+1+2)* (-2-3)*
Ex. I
(If you tap your foot to get a steady beat, you should be playing 4
rapid notes for every tap below)
(-1-2)** (-3-4)** (-3-4)** (-3-4)**

(-1-2)** (-3-4)** (-3-4)** (-3-4)**

(-1-2)** (-3-4)** (-1-2)** (-3-4)**
(-1-2)** (-3-4)** (-3-4)** (-3-4)**
(+1+2)** (+3+4)** (+3+4)** (+3+4)**
(+1+2)** (+3+4)** (+3+4)** (+3+4)**
(+1+2)** (+3+4)** (+1+2)** (+3+4)**
(+1+2)** (+3+4)** (+3+4)** (+3+4)**
BENDING EXERCISES
Ex. J1 (draw 2 bends)
-1 -2 -1 -2' -1 -2'' -1 -2' -1 -2 (repeat)
Ex. J2 (draw 2 bends)
-3 -2 -3 -2' -3 -2'' -3 -2' -3 -2 (repeat)
Ex. K1 (draw 3 bends)
-2 -3 -2 -3' -2 -3'' -2 -3'''
-2 -3'' -2 -3' -2 -3 (repeat)
Ex. K2 (draw 3 bends)
-4 -3 -4 -3' -4 -3'' -4 -3'''
-4 -3'' -4 -3' -4 -3 (repeat)
Ex. L (note 5 draw does bend ever so slightly, but dont force it)
-1 -1' +1 -2 -2' -2'' +2
-3 -3' -3'' -3''' +3
-4 -4' +4 -5 -5' +5
-6 -6' +6 (then play in reverse)

OCTAVE EXERCISES (youll need to tongue block)

Ex. M
(+1+4) (-1-4) (+2+5) (-2''-5)
(+3+6) (-3'''-6) (-3-7) (+4+7)
(reverse here or continue)
(-4-8) (+5+8) (-5-9) (+6+9)
(-6-10) (-7) (+7+10)
(repeat in reverse)
Ex. N
(-1-4) (+2+5) (+3+6) (-3-7) (-4-8) (+5+8)
(+6+9) (-6-10) (then play in reverse)