What harmonica do I need for Johnny B. Goode?

A Bb diatonic harmonica. The Johnny B. Goode harmonica tab on this page is written for that harp.

Is Johnny B. Goode easy to play on harmonica?

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

What are the first notes of Johnny B. Goode on harmonica?

The first line is 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 -9. Plain numbers are blow notes, numbers with a minus sign are draw notes.

1 tab available

Johnny B. Goode Harmonica Tabs

Chuck BerryKey of A#AdvancedRock and Roll

1 tab · 172 BPM · Free

Key: A#Advanced level 172 BPM Free Harmonica Tab

The song "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry is written for a Bb diatonic harmonica and uses holes 7–10. It needs bends at -8', -9', and -10''. The hardest line in this advanced tab is line 29, which features a repeated sequence of -8'. Practice this line carefully to master the timing and technique required.

Harp: Bb · 1st position
Key: Bb major
Time: 4/4
Tempo: ♩ = 172
Level: Advanced
Part: complete (95 bars)

Whole tab two octaves up: at the written pitch the Eb, E and Ab notes would need bends (-2'', -2', -3') and the Db notes would need an 1o overblow; one octave up only, the E, Db and Ab notes would need overblows (5o, 4o, 6o)
88% of notes are on holes 8–10: a Low Bb harp plays this same tab an octave lower, warmer and closer to the written register

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 1

1 [4/4]

B from bar 9

C from bar 18

D from bar 29

E from bar 37

tacet bars 48–72 — instrumental

F from bar 73

G from bar 81

H from bar 93

Level 1 · Notes: the tab waits for you.

Playing Notes

Plays: complete (95 bars) Whole tab two octaves up: at the written pitch the Eb, E and Ab notes would need bends (-2'', -2', -3') and the Db notes would need an 1o overblow; one octave up only, the E, Db and Ab notes would need overblows (5o, 4o, 6o) 88% of notes are on holes 8–10: a Low Bb harp plays this same tab an octave lower, warmer and closer to the written register

What next?

Next song like thisNot Fade Away

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You need a harmonica in Bb

Two widely sold 10-hole diatonics in Bb:

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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 Bb (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 Bb (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 Johnny B. Goode on harmonica

Get a Bb diatonic harmonica
This Johnny B. Goode tab is written for a Bb diatonic harmonica.
Need a Bb 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 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 -9: 9 blow and 3 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 Johnny B. Goode?: A Bb diatonic harmonica. The Johnny B. Goode harmonica tab on this page is written for that harp.
Is Johnny B. Goode easy to play on harmonica?: This song is marked advanced level. Its tab uses bends.
What are the first notes of Johnny B. Goode on harmonica?: The first line is 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 -9 8 -9 8 -9. Plain numbers are blow notes, numbers with a minus sign are draw notes.