Gospel & Spiritual Harmonica Lessons: Best Song Tabs and Lessons
- Liam Ward
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Hello! I love playing gospel harmonica songs. It connects me to a rich tradition of soulful music that uplifts and inspires and I can also feel it deepening my musical skills and emotional expression.
Over the years I have also taught some of my favourite spiritual tunes to my students at LearnTheHarmonica.com. In this article I'll guide you to the best harmonica lessons on traditional Gospel tunes, spiritual songs and Christian hymns!
Top 5 Gospel Harmonica Songs to Learn
Starting with well-known gospel harmonica songs gives you a solid foundation. Here are some of my most popular lessons on Gospel songs.
"Amazing Grace" - harp key C
This classic hymn is a must-learn. Its simple melody fits well on a diatonic harmonica. The song teaches smooth note transitions and expressive bends. Click here for free harp tabs to Amazing Grace
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" - harp key C
This spiritual has a flowing rhythm and repetitive phrases that are great for practising timing and breath control. I actually learned this first as an anthem sung by fans of the England national rugby team! Click here for free tabs to Swing Low Sweet Chariot
"Down by the Riverside" - harp key G
A joyful tune that helps players work on rhythm and syncopation while keeping the melody clear. You will need to bend the 3 draw to get the full melody. Click here for free tabs to Down By the Riverside
"This Little Light of Mine" - harp key C
A lively and upbeat song that is popular with people of all ages. Click here for free tabs to This Little Light of Mine
"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" - harp key C
One of my favourite spirituals and a popular one amongst blues and folk musicians. Click here for free tabs to Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Essential Gospel Play-Along Harmonica Lessons
The following are play-along videos. Simply pick up your harmonica and play along with me to learn the song.
I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger - video and tabs for C harp
-4 -4 -6 -6 6 -6 6 -5 -4
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
-4 -6 6 -5 6 -6 -6
Trav’ling through this world of woe
-4 -5 -6 -6 -6 -6 6 -5 -4
There is no sickness, toil nor danger
-4 -5 -6 6 -5 -4 4 -4
In that bright land to which I go
-6 -6 7 -8 7 -8 7 -6 7
I'm going home to see my Father
-6 -6 7 -8 7 -6 6 -6
I’m going home no more to roam
-4 -6 -6 -6 -6 6 -5 -4
I'm just going over Jordan
-4 -6 6 -5 -4 4 -4
I'm just going over home
You Raise Me Up - video and tabs for C harp
3 4 -4 5
When I am down
4 -4 4 4 4 3 4
And oh my soul's so weary
4 5 -5 6
When troubles come
6 -6 6 6 5 -4
And my heart burdened be
6 -6 -7 7
Then I am still
-7 -7 -6 6 -5 6 5
And wait here-in, in silence
4 6 -5 5 -5 5 -4 4 -3 4
Until you come and sit a-while with me
6 -6 -7 7 -7 -7 -6 6 -5 6 5
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
6 -8 7 7 -7 -7 -6 6 -5 6
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
6 -6 -7 7 -7 -7 -6 6 -5 6 5
And I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
4 6 -5 5 -5 5 -4 4 -3 4
You raise me up, to more than I can be
Kumbaya My Lord - video and tabs for C harp
4 5 6 6 6 -6 -6 6
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah
4 5 6 6 6 -5 5 -4
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah
4 5 6 6 6 -6 -6 6
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah
-5 5 4 -4 -4 4
Oh Lo-ord, Kum ba yah
Nearer My God to Thee - video and tabs for G harp
For this one you will need a key of G harp and you will need to do some bends on hole 3 draw.
5 -4 4 4 -3// -3//
3 4 5 -4
5 -4 4 4 -3// -3//
3 4 -3 -4 4
6 -6 6 6 5 6
6 -6 6 6 5 -4
5 -4 4 4 -3// -3//
3 4 -3 -4 4
8 -8 7 7 -6 -6
6 7 8 -8
8 -8 7 7 -6 -6
6 7 -7 -8 7
9 -10 9 9 8 9
9 -10 9 9 8 -8
8 -8 7 7 -6 -6
6 7 -7 -8 7
I'll Fly Away - video and tabs for G harp
Again, you will need a key of G harp and you will need to do some bends on hole 3 draw.
5 4 3 4 5 -4 5 -5 5 -4
Some glad morning when this life is o’er
4 -3// -3// 3
I'll fly away
5 4 3 4 5 -4 5 -5 5
To that home on God's celestial shore
5 -4 -4 4
I'll fly away
6 5 -5 6 5 -4 4
I'll fly away, oh glory
4 -3// -3// 3
I'll fly away
5 4 3 4 -4 5 -4 5 -5 5
When I die, Hallelujah by and by
5 -4 -4 4
I'll fly away
5 4 3 4 5 -4 5 -5 5 -4
When the shadows of this life have go-ne
4 -3// -3// 3
I'll fly away
5 4 3 4 -4 5 -4 5 -5 5
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly
5 -4 -4 4
I'll fly away
6 5 -5 6 5 -4 4
I'll fly away, oh glory
4 -3// -3// 3 5 4 -3// 3
I'll fly away (in the morning)
5 4 3 4 -4 5 -4 5 -5 5
When I die, Hallelujah by and by
5 -4 -4 4
I'll fly away
I Shall Not Be Moved - video and tabs for G harp
8 -9 8 8 -8 -8 7 -8
I shall not, I shall not be moved
-8 8 -8 -8 7 7 -8 7
I shall not I shall not be moved
8 8 -8 -6 7 -8 7 7 -6 6 7 7
Just like a tree that’s planted by the wa-a-ter
8 -9 8 -8 7
I shall not be moved
8 8 8 8 8 -9 8 8 -8 -8 7 -8
I'm on my way to heaven, I shall not be moved
-8 -8 -8 -8 8 -8 -8 7 7 -8 7
On my way to heaven, I shall not be moved
8 8 -8 -6 7 -8 7 7 -6 6 7 7
Just like a tree that’s planted by the wa-a-ter
8 -9 8 -8 7
I shall not be moved
It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - video and tabs for A harp
For this play-along you will need a key of A harmonica.
5 6 6 5 6 7 7 -7 -6 6 6 -6 6 5
The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through
-5 -5 5 -5 -4 6 6 5* 6 5
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you
6 6 6 5 6 7 7 -7 -6 6 6 -6 6 5
You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew
-4 5 6 -7 -8 -7 -7 7 7 -7 -4 6
Do not be disheartened, for I have news for you
5 -5 6 -6 7 7 -7 -6 6
It is no secret what God can do
5 4* 5 6 5 -4 -4 4 -4 5
What he's done for others he'll do for you
8 8 -8 7 7 -8 7 -6 6
With arms wide open, he'll pardon you
5 5 6 5 -4 -6 6 -3 4
It is no secret what God can do
My Personal Favourite Harmonica Hymn
I'm throwing this one in mainly because it's my favourite. I first heard 'Jerusalem' in the great film Chariots of Fire. It fits really well on the harmonica. Here's a free lesson on how to play it on a key of C harmonica:
How to Use Tabs for Gospel Harmonica Songs
Tabs are a helpful tool for learning gospel harmonica songs, especially if you don't read traditional music notation. Here's how to get the most out of tabs:
Practice slowly
Start by playing the tabs slowly and clearly. Focus on hitting the right notes and producing clean sounds.
Add expression
Once you can play the melody, add bends, vibrato, and dynamics to make the song your own.
Use backing tracks
Playing along with backing tracks or a metronome helps you keep time and develop your groove.
Why Learn Gospel Harmonica Songs?
Gospel music has a unique ability to convey emotion through simple yet powerful melodies. The harmonica's expressive bends and soulful tone make it fit perfectly into this genre.
The gospel songs in these lessons use straightforward scales and patterns, making them accessible for players at different levels. The key is to focus on the feeling behind the notes, not just the technical execution.
Expanding Your Gospel Harmonica Repertoire
If you'd like more Christian songs to learn, check out my Free Gospel and Spiritual Harmonica Tabs page.
Keep building your skills by learning new songs and experimenting with your own arrangements!
🎓 Want to Learn Real Harmonica Skills?
If these gospel songs and hymns have inspired you, my harmonica school can really help you to develop step-by-step.
Inside the school, you'll get:
Step-by-step lessons designed for real musical progress
Videos covering single notes, bends, rhythm and tone
Structured pathways from beginner fundamentals to advanced techniques
Clear guidance on what to practice and how to improve faster
Support and direction so you stay consistent and keep improving
My school helps students worldwide to learn all styles of music by teaching you the skills you need to succeed. Start a Free Trial today!
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