What harmonica do I need for Franklin's Tower?

An E diatonic harmonica. The Franklin's Tower harmonica tab on this page is written for that harp.

Is Franklin's Tower easy to play on harmonica?

This song is marked intermediate level. Its tab uses bends.

What are the first notes of Franklin's Tower on harmonica?

The first line is -4 4 -6 -6 -6 -6 6 6 -6 -5 4 4 -6 -6 -6 6 …. Plain numbers are blow notes, numbers with a minus sign are draw notes.

1 tab available

Franklin's Tower Harmonica Tabs

Grateful DeadKey of AIntermediateRock

1 tab · 100 BPM · Free

Key: A Intermediate level 100 BPM Free Harmonica Tab

Learn to play "Franklin's Tower" by Grateful Dead on harmonica. This harmonica tab includes coordinated lyrics and is perfect for harmonica players of all skill levels.

Harp: E · 12th position
Key: A major
Time: 4/4
Tempo: ♩ = 100
Level: Intermediate
Part: complete (88 bars + pickup)

12th position on a E harp
Whole tab one octave up: at the written pitch the C#, A and C notes would need bends (-3'', -2'', -3''')
12th position: E harp for a song in A major

How to read this tab

4 blow (↑)
-4 draw (↓)
-3' bend ½ step ('' = 1 step)
w h q e s whole · half · quarter · eighth · 16th
q. 3 ~ dotted · triplet · tied
1 + 2 + count: beat and “and”; (1) = keep holding

–

Ready

A from bar P

P [4/4]

B from bar 9

C from 17.1+

B from bar 25

C from 33.1+

B from bar 41

C from 49.1+

B from bar 57

C from 65.1+

B' from bar 73

D from 81.4+

Level 1 · Notes: the tab waits for you.

Playing Notes

Plays: complete (88 bars + pickup) 12th position on a E harp Whole tab one octave up: at the written pitch the C#, A and C notes would need bends (-3'', -2'', -3''') 12th position: E harp for a song in A major

What next?

Next song like thisUncle John's Band

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You need a harmonica in E

Two widely sold 10-hole diatonics in E:

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Hohner Special 20Mid-range
Plastic comb that does not swell, smooth recessed mouthpiece, sold in 13 keys.
Check price on Amazon: Hohner Special 20 in E (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Suzuki Harpmaster (MR-200)Budget
Lower-cost plastic comb with phosphor bronze reeds, in all 12 major keys.
Check price on Amazon: Suzuki Harpmaster (MR-200) in E (opens Amazon in a new tab)

Not sure which to get? How to choose a harmonica

Free: Your First 10 Songs on the Harmonica

A free printable starter pack: your first clean note, how to read a tab, then ten songs everyone knows, from Twinkle Twinkle to Happy Birthday. All on one C harmonica, no bends.

How to play the first line of Franklin's Tower on harmonica

Get an E diatonic harmonica
This Franklin's Tower tab is written for an E diatonic harmonica.
Need an E harmonica? See our harmonica guide
Read the hole numbers
Each number is a hole. A plain number (6) means blow out, a number with a minus sign (-5) means draw in, and an apostrophe (-4') is a bend.
Play the first line slowly
The first line is -4 4 -6 -6 -6 -6 6 6 -6 -5 4 4 -6 -6 -6 6 …: 6 blow and 10 draw notes. Play it slowly, one clean note at a time, then match the rhythm of the recording.
Carry on line by line
Once the first line sounds clean, learn the rest of the tab one line at a time.

Questions about this tab

What harmonica do I need for Franklin's Tower?: An E diatonic harmonica. The Franklin's Tower harmonica tab on this page is written for that harp.
Is Franklin's Tower easy to play on harmonica?: This song is marked intermediate level. Its tab uses bends.
What are the first notes of Franklin's Tower on harmonica?: The first line is -4 4 -6 -6 -6 -6 6 6 -6 -5 4 4 -6 -6 -6 6 …. Plain numbers are blow notes, numbers with a minus sign are draw notes.