Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis

This is a great tune but it was written and played primarily on piano. So what to do?

Adapt it for Harp N Guitar. Delta Blues deserves some Blues Harp. Piano arpeggios can be replicated on rhythm guitar. Add some syncopation and you can almost see the ghost of Elvis.

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RM1131 MAIN GAME ONLINE — Learn to play Marc Cohn's Walking in Memphis on Guitar and Harmonica

Lesson Info

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.

Help File

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.

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 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

Musical Challenges

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.

Video Timeline

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.

13:46 - Bridge: Catfish on the Table

The chords change at the bridge.

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

5 Pack Case of Hohner Special 20s

The Hohner Special Case consists of 5 Special 20 harmonicas in the most popular keys: G, A, C, D, and E.
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.

Get Your Special 20 5 Pack

Martin Acoustic Guitar Strings

Martin M140 Light Acoustic Guitar Strings have an 80/20 composition for brilliance, clarity, and longevity of sound and Studio-quality performance.
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.

Grab Them Here

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.

Click Here to Get Yours

More Song Lessons

Alice Cooper - Eighteen - C Harmonica

Billy Joel - Piano Man - C Harp

Blue Christmas - G Harmonica

Bob Dylan - All Along The Watchtower

Bob Dylan - Girl From The North Country - G Harp

Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door - G Harp

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone - G Harp

Bob Dylan - Mr Tambourine Man

Bob Dylan - Simple Twist of Fate

Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin' - G Harp

Bruce Springsteen - The River - G Harp

Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away - The Rolling Stones Version

Donovan - Catch The Wind

Donovan - Mellow Yellow Lesson on Harmonica and Guitar

Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight Guitar and Harmonica

George Goodman - The Only Thing

Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Lesson For Harp N Guitar

House Of The Rising Sun - C or G Harp

Ian Tyson - Four Strong Winds

J.J. Cale - Cocaine

J.J. Cale - Magnolia

JJ Cale - After Midnight

JJ Cale - Call The Doctor - A Harp

Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line - E or F Harp

John Prine - Angel From Montgomery - C Harp

Jonathan Edwards - Shanty - C Harmonica

Kris Kristofferson - Me and Bobby McGee

Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis - D Harp

Neil Young - Harvest - D Harmonica

Neil Young - Harvest Moon - G Harp

Neil Young - Heart Of Gold - G Harp

Neil Young - Long May You Run - D Harp

Neil Young - Out On The Weekend

Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel

Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale - C or E Harp

Sonny Boy Williamson - Bring It On Home - A Harp

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Cold Shot Lesson on Harmonica and Guitar - C Harp

Ten Years After - I'd Love To Change The World

The Band - The Weight

The Faces - Ooh La La

The Rolling Stones - Dead Flowers - D Harp

The Rolling Stones - Dreamy Skies

The Rolling Stones - Miss You - D or G Harmonica

The Rolling Stones - Sweet Virginia - G Harp

The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses - F Harp

The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want - G Harmonica

The Waifs - When I Die - G Harmonica

Tom Petty - Learning To Fly - C Harp

Tom Petty - Mary Jane's Last Dance - G Harp

Tom Petty - You Don't Know How it Feels

Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason

3 responses to “Marc Cohn – Walking In Memphis – D Harp”

WILLIAM MCCANNEL says:

January 25, 2021 at 11:07 pm

Hello

Pretty sure I am going to have a lot of fun while I am learning.
Also I live on this rock just north of you in Campbell River. peace
George says:

January 30, 2021 at 4:12 pm

Hey Neighbour! You’ll have to stop by if you’re ever down island.
Peace,
George
Kendall Hart says:

May 19, 2023 at 5:15 pm

good one George…I really want to give this one a try

Kendall

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