15 OF THE GREATEST ROCK SONGS TO PLAY ON HARMONICA

15 Rock songs to learn and play on harmonica

Rock on the harmonica? Yes! On this page, you’ll find a great collection of wonderful rock songs to play. I’ve selected fifteen of the most famous and memorable works by artists like Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Guns N' Roses, Black Sabbath, and many others.

The harmonica is a versatile instrument, and if you master it, you can play it with every musical genre – rock is definitely no exception! Be ready to play some cool minor licks and to emulate the distorted guitar phrasing or heavy metal feeling.

Soft rock, folk rock, blues rock, even hard rock – there are no limits, and on this page, you’ll find everything you need to improve your skills.

For each song in this listing, you'll find the audio clip. I have personally played all of them, using a C harmonica, and performing them in a freer way, deciding for each of them how much to stick to the original melodies. In some cases, you’ll find variations of the main theme as well as some improvisation. The purpose of this page is to give you some great ideas about how to play any song you like, whether it’s a harmonica song or one that doesn’t involve harmonica, but that you want to use to reproduce the vocals or any other instrument.

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All Summer Long by Kid Rock

All summer long on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: I choose "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock in place of the original "Sweet Home Alabama" because I liked the rhythm, and the happiness the song transmits. This track gets my memories back to some of my past summers, perhaps you'll feel the same. Have Fun with this holiday song!

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 2nd

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Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

Brown Eyed girl on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: "Brown Eyed Girl" is a soft-rock song by Van Morrison, recorded in 1967. It reached the 10th position on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained for weeks in different country charts. The song contains some great melodies that sound really well on harmonica, here you'll find the first part.

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 1st

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Listen to the audio clip


Cryin By Aerosmith

Cryin' by Aerosmith on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: Released in 1993, first in the US, then a few months later in the UK, this song is one of the most beautiful rock tracks to play on harmonica. Its genre is defined as blues-rock or even hard rock. In the song there are several key changes, that's why I played for you the refrain, keeping it simple, in the first position on a C harmonica. Enjoy playing this rock pillar, and try my "Cryin" improvisation too!

Song Key: C Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 1st

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Listen to the audio clip


Don't Cry by Guns N' Roses

Don't Cry by Guns N' Roses on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: In 1991, one of the most beautiful hard-rock ballads was recorded by a historic band known as "Guns N' Roses." The single reached the top 10 positions in many music charts all over the world. The melodies of "Don't Cry" are really sweet and I liked to play the verse and the refrain parts. Enjoy this popular rock song!

Song Key: A minor
Harmonica key: C
Position: 4th

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Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks

Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: This nice modern rock song was issued in 1982 by Stevie Nicks and I like it because it is sung in a particular way. I reproduced the chorus part and added a small improvisation for the more expert harmonica players. Try to play "Edge of Seventeen" in 3rd position!

Song Key: D minor
Harmonica key: C
Position: 3rd

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Listen to the audio clip


Iron Man by Black Sabbath

Iron Man by Black Sabbath on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath is another Heavy Metal song released in 1971. It is also known as the tribute to the movie with the same name, and it was added to its end credits. I reproduced the main distorted cool guitar riff on the harmonica. Give it a try!

Song Key: A minor
Harmonica key: C
Position: 4th

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Listen to the audio clip


Me & Bobby McGee By Janis Joplin

Me & Bobby McGee By Janis Joplin on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: This is a wonderful country-rock song written in the 60s, and the blues version by Janis Joplin topped the U.S. singles chart in 1971. That's the cover I wanted to interpret on harmonica, and I hope you'll like it cause I really love it. My tongue blocking version tabs include the first part of the song, before it changes the tonality. You will play split notes, bending, and other harmonica tongue blocking features. Have Fun!

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 2nd

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Listen to the audio clip


Nothing Else Matters by Metallica

Nothing Else Matters by Metallica on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: When speaking about rock ballads, the Metallica recorded some of the greatest songs, and "Nothing Else Matters" is one of those. Issued in 1992, this track peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, as well as on top positions in many countries. I enjoyed playing on harmonica the first verses and the refrain. Have fun!

Song Key: A minor
Harmonica key: C
Position: 3rd

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Listen to the audio clip


Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: "Proud Mary" is a rock song that was released in 1969 by John Fogerty and its band known as "Creedence Clearwater Revival." The track became soon a major hit in the United States and reached the second position on the Billboard hot 100 at that time. I played for you the first verse and the refrain, and I created a more challenging version for the more skilled harmonica players, Enjoy!

Song Key: C Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 1st

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Listen to the audio clip


Radar Love by Golden Earring

Radar Love by Golden Earring on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: "Radar Love" is a Dutch Rock song, recorded in 1973 by Gold Earring. It reached the top positions in many charts and in many countries. The genre is a mix of progressive rock and hard rock. Here you'll find the first verses and the chorus.

Song Key: D minor
Harmonica key: C
Position: 3rd

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Ramble On by Led Zeppelin

Ramble On by Led Zeppelin on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: It was 1989 when the Led Zeppelin recorded this beautiful song called "Ramble On." This blues-rock track sits in the top 500 great songs of the all-time chart! I Played for you the verses and the first refrain. Enjoy this bluesy son with your harmonica!

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 2nd

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Should I Stay Or Should I go By The Clash

Should I Stay Or Should I go By The Clash on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: This is one of my favorite punk-rock songs by The Clash. "Should I stay or should I go", has been in my guitar and harmonica repertoire for years, I love to play it because everybody knows it, and when you perform it people start singing along. The version I created for harmonica is not very easy, makes you playing chords and licks containing some bent notes, as well as split notes, dip bending, and double note combinations. Definitively a tongue blocking exercise! Give it a try, it will be funny!

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 2nd

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Listen to the audio clip


Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: Most of the best rock songs were born in the 70s, and "Smoke On The Water" by Deep Purple isn't an exception. Its memorable guitar main riff sounds great if you can bend notes on the harmonica. You'll find my version of riff and two variations. Enjoy the rhythm!

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 2nd

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Listen to the audio clip


The Promised Land by Bruce Springsteen

The Promised Land by Bruce Springsteen on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: "The Promised Land" is one of the harmonica player's favorite songs by Bruce Springsteen. Its harmonica solo is pretty simple, and I wanted to give you something more, making the tabs for the saxophone solo too! I need to say "thanks" to one of my students that asked me to do it for his Bruce Springsteen tribute rock band. Give it a try!

Song Key: C Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 1st

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You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC on harmonica logo
SONG FACTS: I really loved playing the refrain of this hard rock song on my harmonica. "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a great song recorded by AC/DC in 1980. Here you'll find the original melody and a couple of more advanced bluesy variations. This song really rocks!

Song Key: G Major
Harmonica key: C
Position: 2nd

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Listen to the audio clip


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