Junior Wells’ Chicago Blues Band – Learn Harmonica From One of the Greats

Here’s your chance to learn, listen or jam along with the songs from Hoo Doo Man Blues by Junior Wells.

I’ve included which key harmonicas you’ll need below the videos. (Note: apologies if these videos don’t play in your country, that’s out of our control. If you’re in the US you should be able to view them fine 🙂 )

Almost all the songs use a D harmonica in 2nd position. Why?

Economics
Vocal range
High pitch
Higher harmonicas are faster.
Every key has a vibe. This unifies the vibe of the album.
Creates an identifiable sound.

Throughout the music we hear repetitive staccato notes with tongue articulation.
Hound Dog is a great example.

hound Dog

Harmonica D
2nd Position
Key A

Listen to the drawn out notes with thick slow vibrato and a bit of dirt on Ships On The Ocean and throughout.

ships on the Ocean (aka just to Be With You)

Harmonica A
3rd Position
Key B

Wells often starts the songs on turnarounds giving a little bit of music, but not too much, before the vocals begin. Check out these tracks (complete with a repeating turnaround ending.)

hoo Doo Man Blues

Harmonica D
2nd Position
Key A

early in the Morning

Harmonica D
2nd Position
Key A

we’re Ready

Harmonica D
2nd Position
Key A

yonder Wall

Harmonica D
2nd Position
Key A

hoo Doo Man (alternate Cut)

Harmonica D
2nd Position
Key A

Wells created a style of ending songs. The band dropped out and Wells plays fast, choppy out of time notes until he signals for the rest of the band to finish with a bang. Find examples on the tracks below. When a modern Harmonica player does this, he is definitely tipping the hat to the great Junior Wells.