Last month we looked at the first of two ways of approaching horn lines, playing Vertically. This month we'll conclude with playing Horizontally.

Playing vertically means to play a line/lick commonly without harmonization. This line acts as a counter melody and helps to add depth to a song. The line can remain the same for an entire song, or change every chorus depending on how active you want the background to be behind the soloist or singer.

When playing horizontal horn lines, the usage of Chorus Forms is paramount. As already spoken of in previous issues within this series, repetition is the key to active accompaniment. Let's take a look at an AAA Chorus Form horn line that's similar to that used on the famous guitar instrumental "Left Overs," by Albert Collins.

For the next chorus you can play the same line in octaves.

Here's a line similar to what the horns play on the B.B. King song "Woke Up This Morning," from his Live at the Regal recording.

It's common for a harmonica player to deviate from the line at the V chord (9th measure) and play more active. Demonstrated below is the same line as above with this deviation at the V.

Sequences are very commonplace. A sequence, as you studied in the bass line portion of this series, takes a line played over the I (one) chord and transposes it up to the IV chord and sometimes up to the V chord. If you listen to the first two choruses when the horns enter on "Woke Up This Morning," you will hear the horns sequence over all the chords.

The line below is an example of a sequence used on the I chord and IV chord, with the harmonica deviating at the V chord.

That's it for this month. Next month we'll dig into the more traditional harmonica accompaniment role of filling spaces and light chording accompaniment.

About the Author David Barrett
http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/david.htm