I'm a Man / Mannish Boy / Hoochie Coochie Man | Free Harmonica Tabs & Lesson

Liam Ward
Nov 18, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Feb 5

Hello! Today's free harmonica lesson teaches you to play the iconic blues lick from I'm A Man, by Bo Diddley, on a key of C diatonic harmonica/blues harp. The lesson involves some draw bends so it is suitable for intermediates and advanced players, but beginners can play a basic version (as discussed in the video lesson).

This lick is very similar to the Mannish Boy riff from the song by Muddy Waters. In fact, all you have to do to turn this lick into Mannish Boy is add one note. To learn the Mannish Boy riff, click here.

The lick is also sometimes confused with the riff from Hoochie Coochie Man, which is also by Muddy Waters. The riff in that song has the same rhythm as I'm A Man, but a different set of notes (and is usually played in a different position too). To learn the Hoochie Coochie Man riff, click here.

I'm A Man was a sort of reply to Hoochie Coochie Man. Muddy Waters then replied again with Mannish Boy. In that sense, all the songs are linked intrinsically!

P.S. Click here for more Free Blues Harp Lessons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc3qGy_mhzM

In the video lesson, I’ll break the riff down step-by-step and show you the bends and phrasing that give it that authentic edge.

Here are the harp tabs to I'm A Man:

-2 4 -3/ -2

Made famous by Bo Diddley in 1955, and later covered by artists like The Yardbirds, this song is a cornerstone of Chicago blues. The harmonica part is raw, punchy, and full of swagger – the kind of playing that makes you feel like you’re right there in a smoky club in the ’50s.

Thanks for studying with me today. I hope you enjoyed learning this song!