From your diagram, you have inserted a IV in the first 4 bars which is not usually there and on the third last I think it should be a IV. From memory as It's been a long time since I looked.
Ah, OK. Not something I've ever taken notice of. I never play in the strict diagrammatic way in any case. It's all about being free in playing blues. If it works, you use it.
Without hearing an example I can't say for sure, but it would seem to me that if you don't change the chord you are just play straight 12 bar. But that's just my guess. It would depend if you want a moment of dissonance or not.
I reckon that this is the most popular variant of a straight 12 bar. I reckon we hear it more than a straight 12-bar. Sometimes, it can be played on a few verses and sometimes not during the same song.
Here is one example.
On harp, you can do whatever you like - just about any blues scale lick will work. You can also use it to play the relative minor of the 4 chord (the IIm chord 4b, 5b, 6d for example) Or not. It's just an opportunity for a little variation.
Be totally conscious of the fact that the 3 inhale needs to become a 3 inhale first bend during this "quick IV". Other than that, almost everything else remains the same.
You can use this to great effect (my preference), avoid the 3 inhale completely, or just use a solid blues scale for the entire tune. ---------- The Iceman
All the same notes work; they just sound different against a different background.
Rather than fuss about the quick IV, play through it and notice how it colors your line in passing.
The "lower draw 3 over the IV chord" rule doesn't necessarily apply, either. Little Walter broke that "rule" with imputiny to very good effect (just listen to Off the Wall). But be conscious of the effect of Draw 3 (bent or unbent) and every other note when you play it against the IV chord.
One way to capitalize on the change is to play a 1-bar lick about 4 notes long over the first bar (I). If you like, use Draw 3. Then repeat the lick over the second bar (IV), lowering Draw 3. Then play the lick in its original form over the third bar (back to I) but this time extend it into a two-bar lick.
Last Edited by on Jan 15, 2012 8:51 AM
remember- it's only 4 beats. it'll be hard to screw up the entire song as you sail thru 4 beats. and if you use the 4th beat to play something that fits th on the I chord, then it is only 3 beats.
It seems to be more common arrangement on a slow blues, in which case you have a little more time to emphasise the change, otherwise I'd just lean on the 3 draw bend as others have mentioned - that is, play the blue third on the I and then a fully flattened half step bend on the IV Also listen to what the bassline is doing over the changes, and work off that
