Learn to play Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale on Guitar and Harmonica

Difficulty: Pretty Challenging

Lesson Length: 24:52

There is a great descending bass line that accompanies the chord progression as well as the iconic organ solo which we will learn to play on the harmonica.

The individual parts on their own are not nearly as challenging as putting the two parts together.

Let me know how you fare.

The following link supplies the chords and lyrics as well as the harmonica tabs for the organ solo - For educational purposes only.
A Whiter Shade of Pale Chords, Lyrics and Tabs download pdf link

Takamine EG541SC
I am playing my black tak in this one.

This is a Takamine G Series EG541SC bought in North Carolina when I was playing in a band called Double Take.
Specs:
Top - Solid Spruce
Back - Nato
Sides - Nato
Finger Board - Rosewood
Electronics - TK40
Finish - Gloss Black
Check out more Takamine G Series Guitars

Hohner Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica in C

With their excellent response and great tone, diatonic harmonicas from HOHNER have earned a worldwide reputation for the finest quality. They are frequently referred to as "Blues Harps" and are primarily used as melody instruments in blues, rock, pop, country and folk as well as other styles.

Hohner Harmonica Holder

The Hohner Harmonica Neck Holder fits harmonicas up to 7-1/2" long.

With a long-lasting nickel-plated finish, this harmonica rack is adjustable and fits any neck shape.

G7th Newport Guitar Capo

With its light weight and low profile, the G7th Newport allows for fast, accurate capoing with fine tune adjustment - in position - on the fretboard of your instrument.

An advancement on existing designs, the Newport's refined adjustment means that only the right amount of pressure needs be applied to clamp the strings - dramatically improving tuning problems and without the loss of sustain associated with the thick rubber of other capos.

Its classic G7th styling will also look great on your guitar.
Fast and accurate
Can be fine tuned
Sleek design
Applies just the right amount of pressure
Maintains intonation and sustain

The Guitar Essentials, Harmonica Essentials, and Rhythm Guitar and Strumming courses can help get you up to speed if  you're having troubles.

• Guitar Essentials Course
• Harmonica Essentials Course
• Rhythm Guitar and Strumming Course

1:08 - Chord Progression and Rhythm

The key of the song is C and starts on C.
The rhythm follows the pattern of sounding the bass note on the first beat, strumming the chord on the third beat and repeating the bass note on the fourth beat.
This rhythm pattern continues for the majority of the chord progression.
The bass line descends in a diatonic fashion.

14:34 - Harmonica Solo

The song is in the key of C and we will use a C harmonica for the solo so that means we are playing in first position where the key of the harmonica matches the key of the song.

18:45 - Guitar and Harmonica Practice

Run through the harmonica solo with the guitar accompaniment a couple of times for practice.

20:07 - Transposing to a More Convenient Key

As with many popular songs, the key of the original recording does not suit my voice and so I need to transpose to a different key.
This can be accomplished with a capo which I use when I perform this song.
If I put the capo on the fourth fret, that changes the key to E.
Now I need to use an E harmonica.

20:47 - Performance Run Through in the Key of E

Here is a complete run through to play along with but in the new key of E.

Stay In Tune. Peace.
George