How to Play the Song "Oh! Susanna" on Harmonica

Transcript

"Hi, my name is Marcus Milius. I play harmonica. I got a degree at the University of Southern California, a Bachelor's of Music, in Jazz Studies - Chromatic Harmonica. I play and teach harmonica here in New York City, and I'm happy to show you what I do.

Oh Susannah - A famous tune by Steven Foster. This is going to be in first position key of C on a C Harmonica. And that's a melody that divides into four phrases - A A B A. The first A has a different ending than the second A, but its almost identical. The B is different, and the last A is same as the third. So, lets start with the first A - starts with 4 blow, 4 draw, 5 blow, 6 blow (twice), 6 draw, 6 blow, 5 blow, 4 blow, 4 draw, 5 blow, 5 blow, 4 draw, 4 blow, 4 draw. That's the first phrase, and the second phrase is just the same, but ends slightly different. 4 blow, two 6 blows, 6 draw, 6 blow, 5 blow, 4 blow, 4 draw, two 5 blows, 4 draw, 4 blow, 4 draw and that's the second ending. Now we're to the B section. Starting on a 5 draw, 5 draw, 6 draw, 6 draw, 6 draw, 6 blow, 6 blow, 5 blow, 4 blow, 4 draw. And the fourth and final phrase is the same as the second one. 4 blow, 4 draw, 5 blow, two 6 blows, 6 draw, 6 blow, 5 blow, 4 blow, 4 draw, two 5 blows, 4 draw, 4 blow. Put it all together, and you've got it."