Learn to play Kris Kristofferson's Me and Bobby McGee on Guitar and Harmonica

Difficulty: It can be nice and easy

Lesson Length: 20:49

Instructor: George Goodman

Help File: Download the Chords, Lyrics, Guitar and Harmonica Tabs here: Me and Bobby McGee - 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

The key you play Me and Bobby McGee in is going to determine which key harmonica you use. A C harmonica is the first one you need to follow along with the lessons on the site and works great for Me and Bobby McGee if you stick to playing the song in C.

Playing along with Janis - G and A harmonica

Playing along with Kris Kristofferson early live version - A and B harmonica

The Outlaws - C and D harmonica.

I often play a Hohner Special 20 Harmonica through a Shure Green Bullet microphone Model 5200 and Fender Super Champ amplifier

Seydel Gecko

The Seydel Gecko Harmonica Holder is high-quality. Seydel offer much more flexibility. You feel comfortable while playing harmonica with this holder. Great design; simple to use; changing harmonicas is quick and easy. The position isn't friction dependent, but rather on a "stop," you get a consistent, easily adjusted rack. The leather pads not only make it more comfortable, but also reduce slipping.

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.

The harmonica does not require single notes or bending.
The challenge will be playing both instruments together.

The Guitar Essentials, Harmonica Essentials, and Rhythm Guitar and Strumming courses can help with any difficulties you're having.

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

Hey George here for harpnguitar.com, the website that helps you sound great on guitar and harmonica.

Today we're going to look at the classic by Kris Kristofferson, Me and Bobby McGee.

A number of people have covered it in different keys and different rhythms so we'll go through that.

We'll also add some harmonica and I'll show you where to find the notes on harmonica depending on the chord being played.

Guitar Chords - in G

Strumming Pattern

1 2 & (3) & 4 &

Down Down Up Up Down Up

Play bass on 1 and treble on 2. Full chords otherwise.

Guitar Chords - in A

Strumming Pattern

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up

Play every eighth note. Play the root of the chord on the downbeat, 1, and then the fifth of the chord on the third beat, 3.

Guitar Chords - in C

Strumming Pattern

1 &a 2 &a 3 &a 4 &a

Down Down Up  Down Down Up  Down Down Up  Down Down Up

This is a classic Johnny Cash rhythm and similar to what he would play with The Highwaymen.

Harmonica Tabs for Chords

C Major (I Major): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

G Major (V Major): -1 -2 -3 -4 6 -7 -8 9

Things To Note

This was recorded in my off grid bus studio parked in the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia in January 2025.

I am using new-to-me podcast software which forces me to get it down in one take. So if you see goof-ups that might normally be edited out, that's reality.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Right on. See you in the next one.

Peace,

George