Harmonica used in songs

[Mr_Yogi]

Firecracker by Ryan Adams

[Evoluzione]

Eurythmics: There must be an angel (playing with my heart).

[droopsnoot]

Stranglers: Old Codger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPe7RS9eN7Y

[GT6 Jonsey]

Not fade away, Rolling Stones

[GT6 Jonsey]

The Hypno-Toad said:

Led Zeppelin - Ain't Nobody's Fault But Mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqQelCIGYMI&ab...

Doesn't cut in until 2:52 but is worth the wait.

When The Levee Breaks is up there also

[728 days later]

The mighty ship and Reverends revenge are two harmonica-focused songs from the brilliant Housemartins.

[wibble cb]

All Along the Watchtower.....

The Times they are a changin'

Blowin' in the wind


A certain Mr.Zimmerman !

[thebraketester]

wibble cb said:

All Along the Watchtower.....

You had me scratching my head for a second then....

[stuartmmcfc]

As Rich Hall, the Canadian comedian, said
“If a man plays the guitar and a harmonica at the same time like Neil Young, everyone thinks he’s a genius.
Put a pair of cymbals between his knees at the same time and...”

[Cotty]

Thanks everyone, thats a lot to work though.

[C n C]

I spent some time learning the harmonica a few years ago - did a bunch of group lessons with Greg Miller which was great fun.

Here's a video I took on my old iPhone of Greg Miller and Pierre Lacocque at the summer camp in 2016 in London - definitely worth a watch all the way through - some great playing from both of them!

I have a bunch of other videos with Pierre Lacocque, Will Wilde, Rollo Markee, Kyla Brox, Liam Ward, Giles Robson etc. Excuse the quality as they were shot on a phone.

There are also a bunch of videos from the "end of term concerts" with the students from beginner level, but you probably want to skip most of those (although they were good fun to do and quite challenging standing up and playing in front of people)!


A few suggestions in answer to your original post would include:

Blues Traveller - Hook
Main harp solo is at 2'30"

Blues Traveller - Run-Around
Again skip to 2'30" for harp solo

J Geils Band - Whammer Jammer

Little Walter - Roller Coaster

Charlie Musslewhite - Christo Redemptor

Lots by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
example - Everything's Gonna Be Alright

Lots of stuff by Will Wilde
example - Parisienne Walkways
Also check out some of his tutorials on youtube.


Finally, the Hohner harp you have is pretty decent. I personally prefer the Hohner Special 20 as it has a plastic comb, but tried a few different models before settling on this. Others prefer other models.

Once you start learning one or two basic tunes, the best thing about the harmonica is it's easy to carry with you and just take it out for a few minutes to practise wherever you are.

[coppernorks]

spyder dryver said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Someone has to nominate Black Sabbath's The Wizard.

Good shout!

Who plays that then ?

Can't be Ozzie, it requires a modicum of talent, rhythmic appreciation, an ear for melody,
hand to mouth coordination and breath control, all of which Ozzie hasn't ever had

[thebraketester]

coppernorks said:

spyder dryver said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Someone has to nominate Black Sabbath's The Wizard.

Good shout!

Who plays that then ?

Can't be Ozzie, it requires a modicum of talent, rhythmic appreciation, an ear for melody,
hand to mouth coordination and breath control, all of which Ozzie hasn't ever had

Accordion to Wikipedia it was Ozzie on harmonica.

[generationx]

Love Me Do by the Beatles comes to mind.

[marcosgt]

DoctorX said:

shih tzu faced said:

Karma Chameleon, but get ready to pull your own ears off

That’s an abomination. “Church of the Poison Mind” by them is a good tune though and fits the brief.

Too true - Maybe there's a thread there 'Why are the most popular tracks by so many artists their worst?"

M

[Lotobear]

No mention of Groovin with Mr Bloe (Mr Bloe); another Harry Pitch cameo:?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaQWOne1sfo

[Riley Blue]

Cotty said:

paulguitar said:

Also Shape of my Heart by Sting. The great Larry Adler on harmonica:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOjFcx3GJHg

Like that, very subtle

For Alder fans: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07hnqrq

Film scores permitted? 'Genevieve' of course.

[Lotobear]

Riley Blue said:

For Alder fans: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07hnqrq

Film scores permitted? 'Genevieve' of course.

...I'll raise you 'Midnight Cowboy'

[stepaway]

Muddy Waters harmonica man killing it on this live version of ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’ with The Stones joining in for a jam.

Jagger and Keef could have stayed sitting down for my money, the harmonica is the best bit of the performance

https://youtu.be/Mbao_laqF8E

[dandarez]

I'm not a harmonica fan, more a guitar fan.

however, just gone through the thread and not mentioned so far is
Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker's 'Mary Jane's Last Dance'.

Scott Thurston plays harmonica (there's even easy lessons on youtube how to play it.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riohkauwrsk

Oh what am I thinking, just remembered, Petty plays harmonica on Swingin'

This is worth a watch, got everything, cars, harmonica, and a petty (sorry pretty) girl, there's even a pussy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4vJM4L2D2U