Blues Harmonica Study Lesson Song: Easy

(This song is famous for multiple reasons. The song is an instrumental version of Ivory Joe Hunter’s popular 1949 tune “When I Lost My Baby I Almost Lost My Mind.” This is a great example of Horton’s use of a popular song of the day for writing an instrumental (an idea to be repeated throughout his career). Note the great use of repetition within the song. The first three choruses are the same, with slight variation. He deviates in the fourth chorus and returns back to the melody for the fifth chorus. This is a very melodic song and Big Walter’s great use of textures makes it a blues masterpiece. ((His throat tremolo plays a very important role in the intense presentation of the song. The throat tremolo is where you use the vocal chords in a light coughing fashion to create rhythmic variations in volume. (A vibrato is where the pitch fluctuates—he’s not using a vibrato.) Most players (including myself) use a slower throat tremolo than Horton is using here. Work on speeding up your tremolo to match his intense sound (it will take time) if that's what you're looking for. 

Notation can be found at: 

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/easy_walter_horton.pdf

1st Chorus - ABC Chorus Form(This first chorus presents the main melody. There’s nothing difficult here except for mimicking his tremolo. Take extra time working on the turnaround (measures 11 through 12). Each turnaround will be slightly different, making them easy to mix up when performing. For advanced players, focus on matching his tone and presentation… this is not an easy task!((
2nd Chorus - ABC Chorus Form(Note the use of half step bend pickups for variation. Note that on the third measure we’re playing a shake for the 3 draw/4 draw instead of a chord. Drop your volume quickly enough to prepare for the triplet pickup to the IV7 Chord. Note the new turnaround (this is an often-used turnaround and is worthwhile memorizing).((
3rd Chorus - ABC Chorus Form(We now present the main theme with shakes. You can omit the triplet going into measure three if you find it hard to play among the shakes (most newer students do). On the second beat of measure three he plays a 5 blow instead of a 5 blow shake. You may wish to play that as a shake as well to keep the shakes going (this will be easier and smoother than what he plays). Note the rhythm at the turnaround.((
4th Chorus - A B/A1 C Chorus Form(This is where Walter starts kickin’ some butt. Bending control and good tone are the key thoughts here. Focus on making your bends sound strong without an airy quality. If your bends sound airy you’ll need to experiment to find the best position of the tongue. Note the quartertones used in the third measure on the 3 draw. Don’t bend the 3 draw down too much. But note that the 3 draw is at the half step bend (not the quartertone) on measure six. On the IV7 Chord we’ll usually play the 3 draw bent exactly to the half step; whereas on the I7 Chord we bend it only down a quartertone. When you get back to the I7 chord in measure seven go back to using the 3 draw quartertone. Measure nine brings the chorus back to the repetitive melody.((
5th Chorus - ABC Chorus FormYou’ll now play the melody in shakes for the first eight measures. Note the interesting choice of notes in the shake for the second line (measures five through eight). Usually the bottom note caries the melody in the shake... in this section it switches to the top note to keep the shake line from becoming too dissonant with the use of the 7+ in the shake. ((Note the missing 2 at the end of measure ten; this is a nice rhythmic change to set up the ending lick.((Final Comments(This deceptively simple song is a real winner at jams for its focused melody. You can stretch out and improvise more in the body of the song if you wish. (((
What to Tell the Band(Key: F(Groove: Shuffle(Start: From the I (One Chord)((Special Note: This song is commonly played in two ways…(1) Bass or guitar playing the bass line only, and drummer using brushes to play the snare on the beat and hi-hat on the backbeat (beats two and four).(2) Full band, but have them play very mellow.