Neil Young - Heart Of Gold
This is the guitar and harmonica classic.
Also Watch On: 
Neil Young Heart of Gold Lesson on Guitar and Harmonica
Heart of Gold is the song that made me say "I want to be able to play that".
So let me show you how you can play it.
Lesson Info
Difficulty: Medium. Guitar and harmonica separately are fairly easy.
Lesson Length: 8:43
Instructor: George Goodman
The guitar and harmonica song. The guitar riff is unmistakable and the harmonica is all Neil.
Help File
Help File: The following link supplies the chords, lyrics and the harmonica tabs for Heart of Gold.
Heart of Gold Chords, Lyrics and Harmonica Tabs download pdf link - for educational purposes only.
Recommended Gear
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 G
A G harmonica played in first position works great on this. I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in this one.
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
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.
Musical Challenges
The guitar part and the harmonica parts taken separately are not too difficult.
The difficulty comes in trying to put the two together. Take it slow and you'll get it.
For Harmonica - Single Notes: The tabs are written out as single notes but really they are just a guideline for the melody notes. Neil is not playing many single notes in this so that is not enforced.
Everything you need to get up to speed including single notes is covered in the video series Harp N Guitar Harmonica Essentials
Guitar - Chords: Nothing too tricky here. The chords are common. Rhythm and strumming: Other than the signature lick a simple quarter note strum is very effective.
If you need help here, check out the video series Harp N Guitar Guitar Essentials, Guitar Chords and Rhythm Guitar and Strumming.
Video Timeline
Introduction
Heart of Gold is in the key of G and we will use a G harmonica for this one.
0:34 - The Riff
The signature riff that everybody's heard is accomplished by hammering on an E minor chord.
2:29 - Guitar Chords
Start off by learning the progression for the harmonica solos.
There are slight changes for verses but the progression is very similar.
And then there's the chorus followed by the ending.
Things I Would Change
In the chorus section, right at the end where it includes the Bm, this is a different interpretation from the original and I don't play it like that now either.
Instead of going from C Bm Am G, you can pretty much throw out the Bm and Am if you want to sound like the original.
5:41 - Song Demonstration / Play-Along
The harmonica tabs are demonstrated in a separate video lesson.
Here is a demonstration complete with muck-ups (7:40) and probably too much reverb.
That's Neil Young's Heart Of Gold. Let me know how that goes.
Peace. Stay in tune.
George
Things To Note
This was my very first lesson and is still by far my most popular, most-viewed, best performing by all metrics lesson.
I play it a bit different nowadays but everything you need is there to create your own version of the classic HarpNGuitar song ever recorded, in my humble opinion.
Anyone with me on that?
This was recorded in my studio in Nanaimo, British Columbia in October, 2010. The color is not so good. Sorry about that. The audio is good though.
That's Neil Young's Heart Of Gold. Let me know how that goes.
Stay in tune my friend.
George
5 Pack Case of Hohner Special 20s
What do I like about the Special 20s?
Great Sound, Smooth Comb, Responsive to Bending - but not loose, Affordable. I play Special 20s more than any other model.
Martin Acoustic Guitar Strings
If it's been a while since you've changed your strings, you won't believe the difference in the sound. These are some excellent Martin strings. Need I say more? Totally affordable.
Hohner Harmonica Holder
The Hohner Harmonica Neck Holder fits harmonicas up to 7-1/2" long, has a nickel plated finish and fits any neck shape.
I have used a similar holder for over 25 years. This no-nonsense holder will work for you.
YouTube Comments
I've looked at others, but I keep coming back to yours, George. Just what I need. Thanks.
My man, excellent playing and singing. The kick in the harmonica part, I am sent to a different space 🙂 so now I have to learn this song. Thanks for the tabs
son of a bitch.....you're very good!!! congratulations!!!!!
Awesome , very detailed and also it is good to see you sing after you have taught...thanks a ton Sir!
Plenty of pretenders on here your the real deal well done I'd love to get a G harmonica now.
you have a heart of gold for sharing this, thanks <3
The whole course is just incredible. Really enjoying the blues lessons and jumping over and playing some songs as well. Great stuff George!
Where are the harmonica tabs?
The harmonica tabs can be found under the Help Files tab just below the video. The link is there.
Cheers, George
Hi George, why is this in G if it starts with Em chord. I thought in 1st position the harmonica would be in Em? why G
Cheers
David
Hi David, good question.
The first chord of a song does not necessarily denote the key of the song.
What’s the last chord of the song or the progression? G.
The chords in the song – G, Am, Bm, C, D, and Em are all chords in the key of G.
If you want to think about the song as in the key of Em, using a G harmonica would put us in 4th position.
Going around the circle of 4ths: E first, A second, D third and G fourth position
3rd and 4th positions are the norm for songs in minor keys.
Peace,
George