Online resources:
What to learn to play the Chromatic Harmonica in every key?
Why not try starting with the minor pentatonic scales. Minor pentatonic scales are a fantastic place to start, particularly for players who want to play Jazz & Blues.
Below are the 12 minor pentatonic scales presented as chromatic harmonica tabs. Commit these scales to memory & familiarise yourself with the patterns by playing along to backing tracks. I promise that by doing so you will soon get you on your way to been able to improvise in any key.
I like to think of the minor pentatonic scales as the backbone of my improvisation with offshoots of other scales & modes to accompany them. They are a great place to start when first exploring improvisation. Ask any guitarist & they will more than likely tell you just how much this scale is utilised within their playing.
…AND REMBER that every minor key has a relative major key that it is paired with. For example the key of A minor and C major are paired. It is therefore possible to play the A minor pentatonic scale over the key of A minor and C major. I recommend taking a look at the Circle of Fifths if you are unfamiliar with this concept.
Chromatic Harmonica – Minor Pentatonic Tabs
Please note the numbers in the circle’s represent the numbers on your harmonica. The + symbol means that you blow and the – symbol means that you draw. Red circles indicate that you must push the slide in whilst blowing or drawing.
A couple of extra tips:
- the A minor scale is identical to the A# minor scale, all you need to do is push the slide in
- the D minor scale is identical to the D# minor scale, all you need to do is push the slide in
- the E minor scale is identical to the F minor scale, all you need to do is push the slide in
- the G minor scale is almost identical to the G# minor scale, all you need to do is push the slide in for the majority of the notes