How to Play Mellow Yellow on Guitar and Harmonica

Learn How to Play Donovan's Mellow Yellow on Guitar and Harmonica

Using a G hamonica in second position.

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Lesson Info

Difficulty: Barre chords and bending but easy rhythm.

Lesson Length: 14:28

Instructor: George Goodman

Help File

Mellow Yellow - Chords, Lyrics and Harmonica Tabs - PDF Download for educational purposes only

Recommended Gear

takamine-eg541sc acoustic guitar

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 Specail 20Hohner Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica in G

A G harmonica played in first position works great on this. I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in this one.

Hohner Specail 20

A C harmonica is the first one you need to follow along with the lessons on the site. I often play a Hohner Special 20 Harmonica in the key of C through a Shure Green Bullet microphone Model 5200 and Fender Super Champ amplifier

 

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.

 

Mellow Yellow Lesson on Harp N Guitar

Donovan's Mellow Yellow played in the key of D with a G harmonica = second positon.

Guitar Part

We're going to be using barre chords in this one because that will allow us to play a descending chord progression.
It's also how Donovan did it (does it).

The rhythm is really straight forward - downstrokes on the beat works great though there is a swing shuffle rhythm driving it.

Harmonica Part

The key of the song is D. Go up a fourth = G.
Using a G harmonica, -2-3-4-5 = D7.

There's some tricky harmonica bends to this one as well. But's that's all good practice.

If you need help with bending, check out Bent Harmonica, my program that is guaranteed to get you bending on the harmonica.

Once all the teaching and talking is done a jam through is in order, complete with mess-ups.

All right. This one's a real blast from the past.

HohnerSpecial20CLargeG Hohner Special 20

Get a Special 20

You can find a downloadable version of the harmonica tabs under the Help Files link above.

Have fun. Let me know how you make out. Leave a comment.

Peace. Stay in tune.

George


 

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