House Of The Rising Sun

House Of The Rising Sun

"There is a house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun."
Learn this classic on Harp N Guitar

Difficulty: The time signature is 6/8. So that’s different but this is fairly simple to finger pick. Add the harmonica to increase the fun.

Lesson Length: 8:38

Instructor: George Goodman

Hohner Harmonica HolderHohner 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.

 

Hohner Special 20Hohner Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica in C

A C or a G harmonica can be used for this. That would be playing in 4th position C or 3rd position, G.
I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in this one.

The following link supplies the chords, lyrics and the harmonica tabs for House Of The Rising sun.
House Of The Rising Sun – Chords, Lyrics and Tabs download pdf link – for educational purposes only.

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Guitar Chords, Finger Picking, Harmonica Tabs and a Little History.

History

I recorded this video for House Of The Rising Sun back in the summer of 2011 up on Anarchist Mountain in the interior of British Columbia.

I'm sitting on the bumper of an old Diamond T that had been converted into a crane - just one piece of relic machinery that my Grandfather and Dad had used to build their homesteads.

00:50 - Guitar Chords

The chords are standard chords that you will probably know already.

Am guitar chord diagramC Major Guitar ChordD MajorF Major 1st fretE Major Guitar Chord DiagramE7 Guitar Chord

01:42 - Time Signature

This isn't the typical 4/4 time signature that is common in most songs. This song has a time signature of 6/8.

This means that the eighth note gets a single beat and there are 6 beats in a measure.

01:58 - Finger Picking

Root notes are played with the thumb on the first beat.

The second beat is played with the first finger.

The third beat is played with the second finger.

The fourth beat is played with the third finger.

The fifth beat is played with the second finger.

The sixth beat is played with the first finger.

Things change a little when going from E to E7.

03:40 - Harmonica

The song is in the key of Am which is the relative minor to the key of C. I am using a C harmonica in this lesson but you can also use a G harmonica.
Check the Help Files to download chords, lyrics and harmonica tabs for both the C and G harmonicas.

Hohner Special 20Hohner Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica in C or G

A C or G harmonica will work for House Of The Rising Sun. Here I am playing a C harmonica in fourth position but a G harmonica in third position also works.
I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in this one.

04:11 - Run Through on Harmonica and Guitar

Have fun with this one.
Cheers,
George

More Song Lessons

5 responses to “House Of The Rising Sun – C or G Harp”

  1. Rik dedeene says:

    Dear George,

    3 in 1 ! Guitar/vocal/harmonica part. Just wonderful !
    A real classic. In Sharp contrast to the overall nowadays music ! Only those who understand this music, really appreciatie it. !

    Thank you, George

    RIk Dedeene from Belgium

  2. Mary Beth Hempel says:

    Thank you George for this! I really am enjoying playing and learning with you. I just ordered the Blues Chart and Cheat Sheet, and I am going to really start doing your songs every day. Thank you again! Mary Beth from Georgia! 🙂

  3. George says:

    Hi Mary Beth. Thanks for the kind words. Let me know if you have any questions. Peace, George

  4. Mary Beth Hempel says:

    Hi George. I wanted to tell you that I also like the way that you have arranged all your song lessons. Are the song lessons on your “Free Members Area” all your song lessons, or do you have more in your membership? Thank you again! 🙂

    • George says:

      Hi Mary Beth,
      The song lessons are the same for Free or Paid membership but for the most part, the paid videos are commercial free and can be downloaded for off line viewing.
      Thanks, George

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