Here's the second part of the solo on the Elmore James classic Dust My Broom. This riff also replicates another of the classic guitar lines in this song. I show an alternate way of playing it, substituting just the rhythm part for the "fanning" that I did in the performance version.
G harp in key of D.
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:Blues
Jerry Portnoy
Dust My Broom
G Harp
Key of D
Print Chords & Tab
G Harmonica in the Key of D. Background listening: Elmore James - Dust My Broom
loop @ 0:00 Jerry and Rick playing the 2nd chorus of solo
loop @ 0:56 main riff
loop @ 1:34 alternate version of solo with no fanning
loop @ 3:14 solo with fanning
loop @ 4:05 solo with no fanning and chord rhythm
loop @ 5:01 chord rhythm breakdown
loop @ 7:16 transitioning from the riff to chord rhythm
Comments
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Whoops! What I meant was he plays in A so second is D and third is G.
If you want to play in 3rd position with the song in D, you should be using a C harp. In 3rd position you play a harp that's tuned one whole step below the key of the song.
Thanks Jerry. I really like this version - especially since it is the original. I think Jimmy Reed's version is somewhat different but also not the same as the others I've heard like Memphis Slim. I have played this song in 3rd position along with my friend Brian Lee's recording (not on the record) - he plays in D so I am using a G harp. I look forward to learning "Cold, Cold Feeling." I have a version that Albert Collins did.
Hi Rich,
Here's a link to the Pinetop Sparks original of "Every Day I Have the Blues":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4bPZ8kCH_I
I haven't heard the Jimmy Reed version but many artists have covered the song (often employing horns). Doing "horn stabs" in 3rd position can be effective on this tune. I show some 3rd position in the next song that I'll post: a version of T-Bone Walker's "Cold, Cold Feeling".
Hi Jerry,
Great lesson - you really explain what is going on very clearly. I usually just keep playing the song over and over until I can come close, and then go back to your lessons to learn what I am missing. On a related topic, I am interested in the song "Every Day I Have the Blues." Not only do I really like the song, but a friend who often asks me to sit in for a couple of songs at his gigs usually plays it. I now have a number of version of the song including Elmore James' from the album "Dust My Broom." If I am hearing it right (always questionable), it sounds like you could approach it (James") on harp pretty much like what you have taught us here (for "Dust My Broom"). The rhythym and general song pattern sound the same (to me). Does that make sense? One other question on this song - I also have a version that Jimmy Reed did which has somewhat different lyrics, but still is the same song. I read that the song was originally written and recorded by Pinetop Sparks and his brother with some differences from the versions we normally hear. Do you know if Jimmy Reed's version (off Anthology of the Blues) is like the original? I haven't been able to find Pinetop Spark's song anywhere so far. Thanks.
Rich