Bruce Springsteen The River - How To Play On Guitar and Harmonica

http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/bruce-springsteen-the-river-how-to...
The River The Lesson - Video Transcript
Hey, George here. Welcome to this video where I show you how to play The River by Bruce Springsteen on guitar and harmonica.
So, the version we're going to do here, we'll stick close to the studio version.
There are basically 3 parts to the song. We have the intro. We have the verse and the progression for the verse is the same as the harmonica solo in the middle. We
have 4 verses with choruses.
For the intro, start with Em to G to D to C. This is also played as C add 9. This adds D which is the 3rd fret, 2nd string. Then we walk down to Am, then to G, then C or C add 9.
Let's go through that. I'll add the harmonica and we'll take it slow.
For the strumming pattern, on the album, it's arpegiated, it's picked but I'm just going to keep it simple I'm just playing on the beat. Let's run that a few times so you can play along.
Now, let's go through the verses which is also the same progression as the harmonica solo so let's just do the same thing as I did for the intro. I'll play the chords slowly and put the harmonica tabs up here while we do it.
Let's see if we can make this happen. So, this is the harmonica solo, same chords as the verse and this comes in after 2 verses and choruses.
Okay, so the last thing left to do would be the chords for the chorus. Em C D G Em C D C(add9).
Okay, so that's all the chords, all the patterns. You have the intro, verses, choruses, harmonica solo and that should be everything you need to put that all together.
I'll put the tabs, the lyrics, the chords, and stuff on the website,
http://www.georgegoodman.com so you can find that there as well.
Thanks for watching the video. I hope you enjoyed it and got something out of it. If you know someone who would benefit from it, please send it along. Leave a message. I love to get your comments. Sign up for free lessons in your inbox at http://www.georgegoodman.com.
Have a great day. Cheers. Peace

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bruce Springsteen
• The River
• Guitar Lesson
• harmonica lesson
• the river harmonica
• bruce springsteen harmonica
• the river lyrics
• harmonica tabs
• acoustic guitar
• hohner harmonica
• learn guitar

[josephfiennes14]

ok so im completely new to harmonica - like this is my first ever song XD but i really cant work out the breathing, any help - sorry :/ but other than that the tutorial is brilliant!

[GeorgeGoodmanDotCom]

@josephfiennes14 When I show the tabs in the video, the numbers either have a '-' sign in front of them or not. The '-' means to draw. Otherwise, blow.

A couple tips on breathing - the lungs and diaphragm are the bellows. You want to breathe from down below. You also don't want to blow into the harmonica as much as you want to blow through it.

The full harmonica tabs are on my website. The link is below the video above.

Good luck. Let me know how it goes.

Cheers, George

[longmankakao]

Hi George,

thanks for the very good explanation. It's a very good style to teach. I like it very much.

When you ever come to germany, please give me an info and we'll go out for some good cold german beers. (and i will pay :-))

[GeorgeGoodmanDotCom]

@longmankakao Good cold German beers sounds great. You're on.

I'm glad you liked the videos and the style of teaching.

I'm trying to make things clear and easy to understand.

Anyways, lots more on the way.

Cheers, George

[rhinohockenberry]

hows that takamine play... i might get the EF341SC

[GeorgeGoodmanDotCom]

@rhinohockenberry I've been really happy with my Takamine. It's an EG541SC so it's a level below the EF series. I know a few people that own Takamines and haven't heard a bad word from any of them.

Cheers, George

[ChelleQut]

I loved this video! Very good explanation indeed. Thank you so much! Gonna check out your website now.

[FatTonyCologino]

@Jorgeeeeeee12 Nah it's in G

[Jorgeeeeeee12]

is the harmonica in key of C?

[siom4]

You're great! Thanks very very much George!