Jazz Tunes
Diatonic
harmonica players have a hard time playing jazz. It’s a genre that has a lot
more chromaticism than genres like Blues, Reggae, Pop, Country, and even
Gospel. However, Jazz isn’t in impossible. There are certainly tunes we can
play, whether it be the melodies or just to play along. Jazz and blues become
very similar in chord progressions in what called “Jazz Blues”. The chord progressions
are almost never the same but they’re similar.
All Blues by
Miles Davis is a very good option for playing diatonic harmonica to. The reason
why is because no overblows to play it. Yes, you heard me right. The only chord
that isn’t typical in regular blues music is the #5 dominant seventh chord.
Believe it or not, this problem can go away by simply bending the 4 draw.
Soloing over
this tune is a little different though. I wouldn’t recommend using blues scales
but instead staying within the modes Davis picked. For instance if the G7 chord
is played, revolve the solo mostly around the G mixolydian scale. Other notes
are acceptable but resolve them. The dissonance of the minor third shouldn’t be
a constant and nor should strong bluesy bends. Come on, it’s jazz not blues.
The second tune
that is certainly worth learning is Hog Squealin’ Rip Snortin’ Belly Achin’
Blues. Believe or not this tune doesn’t even require any bends. The sheet music
is available on jwpepper.com and video of the audio are on YouTube. Unlike
regular blues, this song uses Fm7 as the root chord and other chords are Bb7,
Gm7, and C7#9. Take a look, the progressions are not common 1-4-5 that we are
used to. However, it is certainly an excellent learning experience worth
trying.
Another
important tune to learn is Tenor Madness by Sonny Rollins. This is considered a
classic and believe it or not John Coltrane played on it. This tune has a nice “bop
to it” so to speak and is much happier and upbeat than the other tunes I
listed. That being said, remember not to play incredibly bendy and growly on
this tune. The chords are relatively similar to a twelve bar blues so while
this tune may require a bit more concentration and lurking into which notes can
be used in which measure, trust me it’s worth it. The sheet music is available
in the second volume of the Real Book.
