1. Silver Bells
Silver Bells is a popular Christmas song composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and covered by many famous artists including Charlie McCoy. Let’s cover the part with the echoing melody.
F harmonica, key of F, 1st position 2 -2” -2 -3” -3 4 -3 -3 4 -4 4 -3 4 3 2 -2” -2 -3” -3 4 -3 -3 4 -4 4 -3 4
2. Fox Chase
Fox Chase is a tune by Deford Bailey, American country music and blues star. He was the first performer to be introduced on the Grand Ole Opry and the first African-American performer on the show. This is a piece from National life Grand Ole Opry in 1967. Let’s cover two riffs from it.
G harmonica, key of D, 2nd position -4 -34 -2 3 -23 3 -23 2 -4 -34 -2 3 -23 2 -23 3 -34 -34 -2 -3” -2 -3’ -3” -2 -34 -34 -34 3 -3″ -2 -3’ -3” -2 2 -1
3. Orange Blossom Special
Orange Blossom Special is originally a fiddle tune about the passenger train of the same name. This is a version by Johnny Cash featuring Charlie McCoy on harmonica. Mainly there are two motifs in the theme that are developed. Check it out in a slower speed.
F harmonica, key of F, 1st position 4 -4 5 4 -6 6 5 -4 4 -4 5 4 -6 6 5 -4 4 -4 5 4 -6 6 5 4 -5 -4 -4 6 -6 -7 7 -8 7 -7 -6 6 -6 -7 7 -8 7 -7 -6 6 -6 -7 7 -8 7 -7 -6 6 -6 6 -5 5 4 -4 -3 4 -4 5 4 -6 6 5 -4 4 -4 5 4 -6 6 5 -4 4 -4 5 4 -6 6 5 4 6 -6 -5 6 -6 7 8 -8 7 -7 -6 6 -5 6 5 -6 6 5 -5 5 -45 -5 -345 345
4. Soul Surfing
Soul Surfing is a tune from Somebody’s Comin’ album by Terry McMillan, American country musician who played harmonica and percussion. It’s a cool funky tune played on three harmonicas, where the main riff just modulates. Check it out.
C-Ab-Bb Harmonicas, keys of G-Eb-F, 2nd position -2 -2 -2 -3 4 -4 -5 -4 -5 6
5. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry is a song by Hank Williams covered by Charlie McCoy on the self-named album. Although it’s more of a theme than a riff, it has a repetitive intro phrase.
C harmonica, key of G, 2nd position -3 -3″ -2 -3 -2 -3 -3″ -2 -1 -2 -3 -3″ -2 -3 -3″ -2 -1 -2 4 4 4 -4 -4 -3’ -3” -2 -3 -4 -4 -3’ -3” -2 -3” -2 -3’ -3” -2
6. Yaoussa
Yaoussa is a tune by Jean Jacques Milteau from his album Routes released in 1995. Harmonica here supports the melody played on guitars. Let’s check it out.
C harmonica, key of G, 2nd position 6 -5 5 -4 4 -3” -2
7. Tennessee Fried Chicken
It’s an uplifting tune with a fiddle and jew’s harp by Jean Jacques Milteau from the same album. There are three variations of the riff played in different order, let’s check them out.
G harmonica, key of D, 2nd position -34 -2 2 1 -1 2 3 2 -1 2 3 2 -1 2 3 -34 -2 2 1 -1 2 3 2 -1 2 3 2 -2 -3 -2 5 4 -4 5 -4 -3 -2 2 1 -1 2 3 -3 -2 5 4 -4 5 -4 -3 -2 2 -1 -2 -3 6 -6 6 5 -4 4 -3 -2 2 1 -1 2 3 -3 6 -6 6 5 -4 4 -3 -2 2 -1 -2
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