Harmonica Tabs in 2nd Position: Easy Cross Harp Tabs for All Levels
- Liam Ward
- 3 days ago
- 15 min read
Hello! You've probably head the phrase "2nd position" a lot if you're learning to play harmonica. There’s a good reason for that: 2nd position is the foundation of modern harmonica playing. It's the default way of playing blues, but is also used in other styles too.
In this lesson I'll teach you what 2nd position actually means and give you loads of free harmonica tabs to get you playing in 2nd position right away.
What Is 2nd Position on Harmonica?
Positions are simply different ways of using the same harmonica to play in different musical keys.
In 1st position, you play in the key the harmonica is labelled in - as expected. So a C harmonica plays in C, G harmonica plays in G, A harmonica plays in A. But in 2nd position (also called cross harp), you play a key that is a perfect fifth above the harmonica's labelled key. That sounds complicated at first, but here's the practical version:
Harmonica Key | 2nd Position Key |
C | G |
A | E |
D | A |
G | D |
So if a blues song is in G, most players would use a C harmonica in 2nd position.
To learn more about positions, check out my Free Positions Guide
Why Is 2nd Position So Popular?
Second position is expressive, powerful, and perfectly suited to bends, riffs, and that gritty blues sound most players are chasing when they first pick up a harmonica.
2nd position gives you easy access to the most expressive notes on the harmonica - especially draw bends. It's also a great way to develop a gritty, vocal-like tone. That's why legendary players like Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Big Walter Horton built so much of their sound around cross harp playing. To learn lots of great blues solos and licks, check out my Free Blues Harmonica Tabs
But 2nd position isn't just about blues, so I'm going to teach you some great songs from pop, rock, folk and country music that can be played in 2nd position.
The Most Important Thing About 2nd Position
In 2nd position, the main root note is one of the following:
2 draw
3 blow
6 blow
These notes feel like "home". When you're playing tabs in 2nd position, you will notice that a lot of the licks and melodies revolve around or finish on one of these notes.
You can learn all the theory in the world, but the most important thing is to play harmonica tabs and get used to how 2nd position actually feels.
A lot of beginner players accidentally resolve phrases to the wrong note because they're still hearing the harmonica as being in 1st position. Once your ears adjust, 2nd position starts feeling incredibly natural and expressive.
Why Harmonica Tabs Help in 2nd Position
2nd position can initially feel confusing because the note layout doesn't appear logical at first glance. Tabs can be really useful for getting familair with the note layout and how it actually feels to play in 2nd position.
Harmonica Tabs in 2nd Position By Level:
What follows is a great collection of tabs to play in 2nd position. I've arranged them into levels, from beginner to advanced.
NOTE ON KEYS: I have included information on which key harmonica you will need to play along to the original song, but you can follow these tabs on any key of harmonica if you are playing unaccompanied.
Beginner 2nd Position Tabs (Single Notes and Chords Only)
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
Key: E (A harp in 2nd position)
Guitar riff:
-4 -4 -4 5 -5 -5 -5 5
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Key: D (G harp in 2nd position)
Solo:
5 5 5 6 6 -6 -7
5 5 6 6 -6 -6/ -6 6 7 -7 -7
6 6 6 5 6 -6 5
6 6 5 6 -6 7 -7 -6 6 5 -4
I Should Have Known Better by The Beatles
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
-34 -34 45 -45 45
-3 <-> -4 -34 45 -45 45
-3 <-> -4 -34 45 -45 45
-34 -2 45 -45 45 -34
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
-4 6 6 6 -6 -7 -7 -7 -6 6 -6 -7 6
The itsy bitsy spider climed up the water spout
-7 -7 7 -8 -8 7 -7 7 -8 -7
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
6 6 -6 -7 -7 -6 6 -6 -7 6
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
-4 -4 6 6 6 -6 -7 -7 -7 -6 6 -6 -7 6
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again
Alternative third line used in some versions (including the one I learned as a kid!):
8 8 8 -8 6 -6 -7 -6 6 5
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
Let It Be by The Beatles
Key: C (F harp in 2nd position)
-4 -4 -4 -4 5 -3 -4 -4 6 -6
When I find myself in times of trouble
-6 -7 -7 -6 -6 6 6
Mother Mary comes to me
-7 -7 7 -7 -7 -6
Speaking words of wisdom
-7 -6 -6 6
Let it be-e
-4 -4 -4 5 6 -4 -4
And in my hour of darkness
6 -6 -6 -7 -7 -6 -6 6 6
She is standing right in front of me
-7 -7 7 -7 -7 -6
Speaking words of wisdom
-7 -6 -6 6
Let it be-e
-7 -6 6 -7 -8 8 -8 -8 -8 -7 -6 6 5 -4 -7
Let it be, let it be-e, let it be-e-e, let it be
-7 -7 7 -7 -7 -6
Whisper words of wisdom
-7 -6 -6 6
Let it be-e
Love Me Do by The Beatles
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
-5 5 -4 -2 -2 -2 -2
-5 -5 -5 5 5 5 -4 -2 -2 -2 -2
-5 5 -4 -2 -2 -2 4 -3
-2 -2 -2 -2 -2 4 -3
Rainy Days and Mondays by Carpenters
Key: Eb (Ab harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
6 6 6 -6 -7
5 6 6 -6 -7
5 6 6 5 7 -7 6 5 -4
Sandstorm by Darude
Key: E (A harp in 2nd position)
Main theme:
-4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4
6 6 6 6 6 6 6
-5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5
4 4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4
6 6 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 6 6
-4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4
6 6 6 6 6 6 6
-5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5
4 4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4
6 6 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 6 6
The Holly and The Ivy
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
6 6 6 6 8 -8 -7
The holly and the ivy
6 6 6 6 8 -8
When they are both full grown
-8 7 -7 -6 6 -7 -7 6 6 -4
Of all trees that are in the wood
6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6
The holly bears the crown
6 6 6 6 8 -8 -7
The rising of the sun
6 6 6 6 8 -8
And the running of the deer
-8 7 -7 -6 6 -7 -7 6 6 -4
The playing of the merry organ
6 -6 -7 7 -7 -6 6
Sweet singing in the choir
Intermediate 2nd Position Tabs (including Bends)
Amazing Grace
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
-1 -2 -3-->-3// -2 -3
-3-->-3// -2 2 -1
-1 -2 -3-->-3// -2 -3 4 -4
-3 -4 -3-->-3// -2 -3 -3-->-3// -2 2 -1
-1 -2 -3-->-3// -2 -3-->-3// -2
Blackbird by The Beatles
Key: G (C harmonica in 2nd position)
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 -8 -8
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
-6 6 -6 -6 -6 6 7 -8 -7
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
-6 -7 6
All your life
6 6 6 -6 -7 -6 6 5 -6 6 -7 -6 6
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 -8 -8
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
-6 6 -6 -6 -6 6 7 -8 -7
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
-6 -7 6
All your life
6 6 6 -6 -7 -6 6 5 -6 6 -7 -6 6
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
7 6 6
Blackbird fly
7 6 6
Blackbird fly
6 -5 -4 -5 -4 -4 4 -3/ -2// -2
Into the light of a dark, bla-ack night
Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles
Key: C (F harp in 2nd position)
-2 -3 -4 -4 -3 -4 -3
Can't buy me lo-ove, oh-oh
-2 -3 -4 -4 -3
Can't buy me lo-ove
-2 -4 -4 -4 4 -3/ -3// -2 -2
I'll buy you a diamond ring, my friend
-2 -2// -2 -1 -2// -2 -2
If it makes you feel alright
-2 -4 -4 4 -3/ -3// -2 -2
I'll get you anything, my friend
-2 -2// -2 -1 -2// -2 -2
If it makes you feel alright
-2 -4 -4 -4 -4 4 -3/ 4 -3/
'Cause I don't care too much for money
-4 -4 -4 4 -3/ -2
Money can't buy me love
-2 -3 -4 -4 -3
Can't buy me lo-ove,
-3/ -3/ -3// -2 -3// -2 -2
Ev - ‘ry – bo - dy tells me so
-2 -3 -4 -4 -3 -3// -3// 4 -4
Can't buy me lo-ove, no no no, no
Get Back by The Beatles
Key: A (D harp in 2nd position)
-4 -4 -4 -4 -4 5 -5 -5 -5 -5 5 -4
Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner
4 4 4 4 3 2 2 -1
But he knew it couldn't la-ast
-4 -4 -4 -4 -4 5 -5 -5 -5 -5 5 -4
Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona
4 4 4 4 3 2 2 -1
For some California gra-ass
5 -5 5 -5
Get back, get back
5 -5 -5 5 5 -4 -3/ -3// -2
Get back to where you once be-lo-onged
5 -5 5 -5
Get back, get back
5 -5 -5 5 5 -4 -3/ -3// -2
Get back to where you once be-lo-onged
I Feel Good (I Got You) by James Brown
Key: D (G harp in 2nd position)
Whoa! I feel good
-2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2
I knew that I would, now
-2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2
I feel good
-2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2
I knew that I would, now
-2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2 -2/ -2
So good
-4 -4
So good
4 4
I got you
-2 -3 -4 -5 -6
(Repeat for verse 2)
-2 6 -5 -4 -5 -4 -3/ (x2)
When I hold you in my arms
(-3/ 3 -3/ 3)
I know that I can't do no wrong
4 -3/ 4 -3/ -2
And when I hold you in my arms
(-3/ 3 -3/ 3)
My love won't do you no harm
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2
Key: Db (F# harp in 2nd position)
-3 -4 -4 -3 5 -4 -4 -3
I have cli-mbed highest mountains
-3 -4 -4 -3 5 -4 -3
I have ru-un through the fields
-3 -3// -2 -3// -2 -2
Only to be with you
-3 -3// -2 -3// -2 -2
Only to be with you
-3 -4 -4 -3 5 -4 -3
I have ru-un, I have crawled
-3 -4 -4 -3 5 -4 -3 -3// -2
I have sca-led these city wa-lls
5 -4 -3 -3// -2
These city wa-lls
-3 -3// -2 -3// -2 -2
Only to be with you
-2 -2 -4 4 -3 -2 2 2 2 -2 -2
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
-2 -2 -4 4 -3 -2 2 2 2 -2 -2
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
Key: Bb (Eb harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
-1 2 -2 (-3/>)-3 -3// 3
-4/ -> -4 -4/ 4
-3/ -2 -2 -2// -2(vib.)
Low Rider by War
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 4 -4
-2 -3 4 -3 -2
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 4 -4
-2 -3 4 -3 -2
-2// -2// -2// -2// -2//
-2// -2// -2// -2// -2//
-2// -2
Miss You by The Rolling Stones
Key: A (D harp in 2nd position)
Harp riff:
-2// -2 4 -3/ -2 -2// -2
-2// -2 4 -3/ -2 -2// -2
-2// -2 -3/ -2
Norwegian Wood by The Beatles
Key: E (A harp in 2nd position)
-8 8 -8 7 -7
I once had a girl
-6 7 -7 6 -5 7 5 -4
Or should I say, she once had me
-8 8 -8 7 -7
She showed me her room
-6 7 -7 6 -5 7 5 -4
Isn't it good, Norwegian wood
-2 -4 -4 -4 -4
She asked me to stay
4 4 4 -3/ -3/ -3/ 4 -3/ 4
And she told me to sit anywhere
-2 -4 -4 -4 -4
So I looked around
4 4 4 -3/ -3/ -3/ 4 -3/ 4
And I noticed there wasn't a chair
-8 8 -8 7 -7
I sat on a rug
-6 7 -7 6 -5 7 5 -4
Biding my time, drinking her wine
-8 8 -8 7 -7
We talked until two
-6 7 -7 6 -5 7 5 -4
And then she said it's time for bed
Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
Main riff:
-4 -4 -4 -4 -4 5 4 -4
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3 4 -3// -3
Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones
Key: Em (A harp in 2nd position)
-2 -3// -3/ 4 -3/ -3// -2 -2 -2/ -2 -3// -2 -2/ (2 -2/)
I see a red door and I want it painted bla-ack
-2 -3// -3/ 4 -3/ -3// -2 -2 -2/ -2 -3// -2 -2/ (2 -2/)
No colours anymore, I want them to turn bla-ack
6 -5 -5 -3/ -3/ 4 4 -4 -4 -4 4 -3/ -4
I see the girls walk by dressed in their su-umm-er clothes
6 -5 -5 -3/ -3/ 4 4 -4 -4 -4 4 -3/ -4
I have to turn my head until my da-ark-ness goes
Pink by Aerosmith
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
-4/ -> -45 -45/ 45
-4/ -> -45 [x 6] -45/ 45
-4/ -> -45 -> -4/ -4/ -> -45 [x3] 45
-2 -3// -3 -4 -3// -3 -4 -3// -3 -4 -3// -3 -4 -3// -3 -4
-3/ -3// 3 2 3 (-3// ->) -3/ (-3// ->) -3/ -3// 3
Roadhouse Blues by The Doors
Key: E (A harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
-2 -2 -2 4 -3
-2 -2 -2 4 -3
-2 -2 -2 4 -3
-2 -2 -2 (runs into next line…)
-3 4 -4 -> -4/ -> -2
-3 4 -4 -> -4/ -> -2
-3 4 -4 -> -4/ -> -2
-3 4 -4 -> -4/ -> -2 -3/ -3/ -2
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
Guitar riff:
-2 -3/ 4
-2 -3/ -4/ 4
-2 -3/ 4 -3/ -2
Stone Fox Chase by Area Code 615 (Charlie McCoy)
Key: E (A harp in 2nd position)
-2// -2 -2 -2 -3/ -2 -2//
-2// -2 -2 -4 -4/ 4 3 -2//
-2// -2 -2 -2 -2 -3/ -2 -2//
-3/ -2 -2// -3/ -2 -2// -3/ -2 -2// -2-->-2//
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
-3 -2 -3 -2 -2 2 -1
Swing low, sweet cha-ri-o-ot
-2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -3 -4 -4
Coming for to carry me home
5 -4 -3 -4 -2 -2 2 -1
Swi-ing low, sweet cha-ri-o-ot
-2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -3 -3// -2
Coming for to carry me home
-3 -4 -2 2 -2 -2 2 -2 -2 -2 2 -1
I looked over Jordan and what did I see-ee
-2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -3 -4 -4
Coming for to carry me home
-4 5 -4 -3 -3// -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 2 -1
A band of a-an-gels coming after me-ee
-2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -3 -3// -2
Coming for to carry me home
Take the Long Way Home by Supertramp
Key: C (F harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
(-2-->) -4/-->-4---- --- -5 -4/ -4
-4/ -4 -4/-->-4 -4/ -3 -2
-3 -2 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -34/
-3 -2 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -12
(-2-->) -4/-->-4--- -5 -4/ -4
-5 -4/ -4 -5 -4/ -4 -5 -4/--> -4 -4/-->-4 -4/ -3 -2
-3 -2 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -34/
-3 -2 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -123 -12
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Key: A (D harp in 2nd position)
-3 -2 -4 -4 -3 (-->-3//-->-2)
Would you know my name
4 4 -3 -3// -2 -3 -3//
If I saw you in heaven
-3 -2 -4 -4 -3 (-->-3//-->-2)
Would it be the same
4 4 -3 -3// -2 -3 -3//
If I saw you in heaven
-2 -2 -3// -2/ -2// -2// -2 2
I must be strong and ca-rry on
-3// -3 4 -3// -3// -2 -2/ 2 -1 -3 -3// -3// -2
'Cause I know I don't be – lo – o - ng here in heaven
Tequila by The Champs
Song key: F (Bb harp in 2nd position)
Part A (x4):
-4 6 6 -5 -6 -5 6 -4
-4 6 6 -5 -6 -5 6
Part B (x1):
-1 2 -2 -3/ -2
-1 2 -2 -3/ -2
-1 2 -2 -3/ -2
-6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -8
The Jean Genie by David Bowie
Key: E (A harmonica in 2nd position)
Verse:
-2 -2 -2 -2 4 -3/ then repeat
(Basic version: -2 -2 -2 -2 4 -3)
Chorus:
-3/ 4 -4/ -4
(Basic version: -3 4 -4)
The Wizard by Black Sabbath
Key: A (D harp in 2nd position)
Intro:
-2//-->-2--> -2// --> (-1)-2(-3) (x2)
-2// --> -2
(-2/ >) -2 > -2//-->-2 -2/--> -2 -3 4 -4(-5) 4 -3 -2 2 (x5)
This Train is Bound for Glory (Traditional)
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
-2 -2 -3// -3 -3 -3// 2 -2 -2
This train is bound for glo - ry, this train
-4 -4 5 6 6 -5 -4 -4 -4
This train is bound for glory, this train
6 6 -4 6 -5 -4 -2
This train is bound for glory
-3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ 3 3 -3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ -3// -2
Don't carry nothing but the righteous and the ho - o - ly
-2 -2 -3// -3/ -3/ -3/ -3// -2 -2 -2
This train is bound for glo-o-ry, this train
-2 -2 -3// -3 -3 -3// 2 -2 -2
This train is bound for glo - ry, this train
-4 -4 5 6 6 -5 -4 -4 -4
This train is bound for glory, this train
6 6 -4 6 -5 -4 -2
This train is bound for glory
-3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ 3 3 -3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ -3/ -3// -2
Don't carry nothing but the righteous and the ho - o - ly
-2 -2 -3// -3/ -3/ -3/ -3// -2 -2 -2
This train is bound for glo-o-ry, this train
Advanced 2nd Position Tabs (including Overblows)
A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles
Key: G (C harp in 2nd position)
-3 4 -3 -4 -4 -4 4 -4 4 -4 -5 -4 4 -4 4 -3
It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a do-o-og
-3 4 -3 -4 -4 -4 4 -4 4 -4 -5 -4 4 -4 4 -3
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a lo-o-g
-4 -4 4* 5 4* -4 4 5 5 -5 5* 5 4* -4
But when I get home to you, I find the things that you do
-3 4 -3 -4 3 -3/ 4 -3/
Will make me fe-el a-al-right
-1 -2 -2/ -2 -2/ 2 2 -2/ -2 -2/
When I'm home, everything seems to be right
-1 -2/ -2 -2 -2/ 2 2 -2/ -2 -3// -3// -3//
When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah
God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
Key: E (A harp in 2nd position)
-5 5 -5 5 -4 -3// -4
I may not always love you
4 4 -3 4 5 -6 4 -4 5
But long as there are stars above you
6 5* 6 -6 4 -4 5
You’ll never need to doubt it
6 6 5* 6 -7 5 5* 6
I’ll make you so sure about it
5 -4 5 -4 6 -4 4 -3 -2 -3//
God only knows what I’d be without you
-5 5 -5 5 -4 -3// -4
If you should ever leave me
4 4 -3 4 5 -6 4 -4 5
Though life would still go on believe me
6 6 5* 6 -6 4 -4 5
The world could show nothing to me
6 6 5* 6 -7 5 5* 6
So what good would living do me
5 -4 5 -4 6 -4 4 -3 -2 -3//
God only knows what I’d be without you
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams
Key: D (G harp in 2nd position)
-3 4 -4 -4 6 5 -4 4 -3// -2
It's the most wonderful time of the year
-3// -3 4 -3// -3// -3// -3
With the kids jingle belling
4 -4 -3 -3 -3 4 -4 5 4 5 6
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
5* 5 -4 -4 6 5 -4 4 -3// -4
It's the most wonderful time of the year
-3 4 -4 -4 6 5 -4 4 -3// -2
It's the hap-happiest season of all
-3// -3 4 -3// -3// -3// -3
With those holiday greetings
4 -4 -3 -3 -3 4 -4 5 4 5 6
And gay happy meetings when friends come to call
5* 5 -4 -4 6 5 -4 4 -3// -5
It's the hap-happiest season of all
9 -9 8 8 8 8 9
There'll be parties for hosting
8 -8 -8 -8 -8 9
Marshmallows for toasting
-8 7 7 7 7 8 -8 -7
And caroling out in the snow
6 6 8/ 8/ 8/ 8/ 9/
There'll be scary ghost stories
8/ -8 -8 -8 -8 8/
And tales of the glories
-8 7 7 7 7 6* 7 -8
Of Christmases long, long ago
-3 4 -4 -4 6 5 -4 4 -3// -2
It's the most wonderful time of the year
-3// -3 4 -3// -3// -3// -3
There'll be much mistletoeing
4 -4 -3 -3 -3 4 -4 5 4 5 6
And hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near
5* 5 -4 -4 6 5 -4 5* -6 6
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Sunshine of Your Love by Cream
Key: D (G harmonica in 2nd position)
Guitar riff:
6 6 -5 6 -4 -4/ 4 6 6* 6
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