Learn to play Marc Cohn's Walking in Memphis on Guitar and Harmonica

Difficulty: This one will take some time

Lesson Length: 30:02

Instructor: George Goodman

There are 3 different strumming patterns to learn and apply to create dynamics. Add a little Blues Harp and some gravel vocals and sing with all your might.

The following link supplies the chords, lyrics and the harmonica tabs for Walking In Memphis.
Walking In Memphis Chords, Lyrics and Tabs download pdf link - for educational purposes only.

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 Blues Harp in D

A D harmonica played in second position is required on this one. I'm playing a Hohner Special 20.

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 harmonica challenge here includes Bending. Check out Bent Harmonica for help with that.

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

1:19 - Key of the Song and Using a Capo

In order to get the song into a key that is more comfortable for my voice, I use a capo.
The original recording is in the key of C but I move it down a minor 3rd to A.
If you want to play along with the original, move the capo up to the 5th fret.

2:07 - Guitar Chords: Verse and Chorus

There are four chords that are used throughout most of the song.
I'm choosing some chords that add a little flavor.
It starts with Cadd9 followed by Dsus4.
Then comes G followed by Em7.

4:14 - Rhythm 1: Intro and Verse 1

To emulate the opening piano, I'm going to employ a simple finger picking pattern which can be used over the quiet sections of the song.
Let's call this rhythm 1.

7:46 - Rhythm 2: Chorus 1 and Verse 2

Heading into the first chorus, it's time to pick things up a notch.
For rhythm 2, I'm using a full chord finger pick with syncopation and a hand slap percussive feel.

12:20 - Rhythm 3: Chorus 2

Things build up even more here and I'll employ a full chord strum with a syncopation similar to rhythm 2 and use this through the second chorus. This will also require using a pick.

17:19 - Verse 3: Muriel Plays Piano

Let's bring it down a bit and use rhythm 2 for verse 3.

18:19 - Chorus With Full Gusto

A powerful line sung powerfully brings us back into the chorus where we'll use rhythm 3 to bring the dynamics back up again.

18:42 - Let's Add Some Harmonica

Memphis is in the land of the Delta Blues so let's add a bit of Blues harmonica to the song.
I am playing in the key of A and to add a Blues feel I want to play in second position.
In order to do that, I'm going to use a D harmonica.
I can still play the melody in second position and I can also utilize the Blues scale and associated riffs.
When I improvise, I often take bits of the melody or rhythm and incorporate them into a solo.
I'll try that here.

Here are the harmonica tabs to the melody of the chorus in the upper and lower octaves
-7 -7 -7 7 -7 -6 6
-7 -7 7 -7 -6 6 6 6 6 5 6 5
-7 7 -7 -6 6
-7 -6 -6 6 -6 -6 -6 6 6

-3 -3 -3 4 -3 -3bb 3
-3 -3 4 -3 -3bb 3 3 3 2 3 2
-3 4 -3 -3bb 3
-3 -3bb -3bb 3 -3bb -3bb -3bb 3 3

26:13 - Final Note On Adding Syncopation to Rhythm 1

To more closely reproduce the piano part at the beginning you need to turn the beat around.
This is easier said than done.

Good luck with that.

I hope you enjoyed the lesson.
Let me know how you make out with it.

Peace. Stay In Tune.
George