Neil Young - Harvest Moon
Another great guitar and harmonica song by Neil Young. The guitar riff sounds great but isn't that difficult. The harmonica solos are haunting and fit in perfectly. Learn it all here.
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Lesson Info
Difficulty: Medium
Lesson Length: 15:03
Instructor: George Goodman
Excellent guitar riffs, haunting harmonica solos, chords and practice runs make up this video lesson. Enjoy.
Help File
The following link supplies the chords, lyrics and the harmonica tabs for Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon 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 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.
Video Timeline
1:09 - Drop D Tuning
The guitar tuning for Harvest Moon is Drop D tuning.
This allows the guitarist to play a full 6 string D Major chord.
To get the guitar into drop d tuning simply lower the low E string a full tone to D.
The other strings stay in normal tuning.
2:00 - Opening Guitar Riff
The song has a swing feel to it so that's the first thing.
We've got raking bass notes anticipating.
We've got DMaj7 chord figures up on the 10th fret.
We've got syncopated rhythms.
We've got lots of fun.
5:11 - Verse Part 1
The verses come in two parts. The first part starts in a minor mode.
Drop D tuning results in some odd fingering for otherwise regular chords.
5:50 - Riff 2
Riff 2 is in part 1 of the verse and uses the chords D, DMaj7 and A6.
7:46 - Verse Part 2
The second part of the verse starts in a Major mode.
When using drop D tuning, the fingering for the G Major is quite a bit different from what we're used to.
The opening guitar riff completes the second half of the verse part 2.
9:00 - Chorus
The chords for the chorus alternated between A7sus4 and A7
10:20 - Harmonica
Use a G harmonica for this.
See the download for the tabs.
Here there are multiple run-throughs which covers most aspects of the song and gives lots of practice putting the harmonica together with the acoustic guitar.
I hope you enjoyed the lesson.
Let me know how you make out with it.
Peace. Stay In Tune.
George
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Martin Acoustic Guitar Strings
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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.
Great lesson George!! Thank you. N
Thank you for the lesson. Added harmonica playing to my guitar songs thanks to your lessons.
Neil
George…
The studio version of this song, Harvest Moon is in the key of D.
Should we be using a G harmonica in SECOND POSITION… not first??
Hi Al. Correct Sir.
You could look at it that way. Playing G, the IV chord on a G harmonica is technically second position in the key of D.
The harmonica solo occurs while the chord G is being played so I’m just considering it playing a G chord/melody on a G harmonica = first position.
The most important thing, get the harmonica key right, G.
Thanks for the comment.
Peace Brother