Harp Tabs for Heard It In a Love Song

Theory
1

Hey y’all - a harp player name Drexel asked me about how to play the flute solo from The Marshall Tucker Band song “Heard It In a Love Song.”

It’s a really cool song. this song in the key of D and could be played on a D harmonica in 1st position, or G harmonica in 2nd position.

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​Here’s tabs for the first few phrases of the song on D harmonica in 1st position:
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​7 7 -6 6 -6 5 -4 4 5 6 5 -6’-6 5 6

​-6 -6 6 -5 5 -4 4 -4 4 -4 5 -5 5 -4 4
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​Or, alternatively, here’s tabs for the first few phrases on G harmonica in 2nd position:
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​9 9 8 -8 8 -6 -5 5. -6 -7 -7 7’7 -6 -7
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​7 7 -7 7 -6 -5 5 -5 6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6 -4

OK. That’ll get you started with this song.

Rock on,
Luke

1 Like
2

Man, that song is GREAT! Looking forward to being able to (at least somewhat) play it at some point.

2 Likes
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Hey Luke, so I’m trying to transcribe the rest of the song. In the 9th measure (is that right?) I think it says we need to play DD D D CC D C. I don’t know how to get those Cs on a D-harp. -7 is a C#, +6 is an A. Is there a work around here?

4

I DO feel like I can overblow my 7 and get something. Is that an actual note or just noise.

5

Hey Drexel - sorry I haven’t had time to finish tabbing this out for you yet. I’ve been swamped. Will get to it ASAP!

Aloha,
Luke

6

There was an error in my original tab, the fourth note should have been a -6 not a -5. Anyways, I got that fixed here, and finished tabbing it out for you in 1st position on D harmonica:
7 7 -6 6 -6 5 -4 4 5 6 5 -6’-6 5 6
-6 -6 6 -6 5 -4 4 -4 4 -4 5 -5 5 -4 4 3

7’ 7 7 7’ 7 -7 -7 -7 7 -7 -6 6
6 -6 7 7 6 -6 6
-4 5 -5 6 -5 5 4 3 -3” 4 3 -3” 4

The ending is hard with those -3" whole-step bends. If I was gonna play this song, I’d probably choose a G harmonica or a D Melody Maker harmonica to play it.

Rock on,
Luke

1 Like
7

Awesome Luke. Thanks. I can’t wait to try it. Since I’ve got the tabs for my D harp. (Again thanks) I’ll stick with that. The -3" bends shouldn’t be a problem. Why do u suggest the Mekody Maker. I only own Hohners. What does the MM do differently?

2 Likes
8

Hey Drexel - here is my original post about various alternate tunings.

But I also respond to your question directly here.

Rock on,
Luke